Bonifacio to Propriano

May 7, 2025

Our campground is quiet, we had no neighbours in nearby cabins last night, and no road noise. But doves are remarkably persistent in their coo-coo-coo-ing, and earplugs were required for the last few hours of sleep.

In the morning, we walked to the cafe area for precious cell service and made our last booking, for Ajaccio tomorrow night. After breakfast and cabin cleanup, Mel departed.

We are surrounded by cats here. This girl made a beeline for the pool to have a drink of tasty (?) pool water.

A rare photo of Mel on her bike Pebbles the Cannondale.

After Mel left I had a short and easy 30 minute drive to the start of my hike, pleased to park right on the roadside. I started walking on a poorly maintained road. It was not particularly scenic, but the destination was worth it. There were quite a few people heading down to the beautiful Roccapina Beach.

This is no place for a rental car. But a few German motorbikes made it. And a couple of 4x4s that looked like they’re ready for the rocks of Moab.

This catamaran had the whole bay to themselves.

I ate my picnic lunch on the beach and then forgot to restart Strava when I walked over the headland to the next beach. Calculating from other peoples’ routes, I think I walked about 10 km in all today, and it took just over 3 hours to circumnavigate yet another Genoese tower. Some of the time it was proper scrambling. Of course, there were no toilet facilities at either the trailhead or the beaches. That always amazes me in Europe.

Hiking up and over the headland gave me wonderful vistas.

I attempted to get to the highest point, but the scrambling got a bit scary, so I retreated.

The next beach isn’t too shabby looking either. it was very windy though, and there were no other people to be seen.

I saw two fighter jets pass overhead. French or Italian, I wonder?

After the hike I drove the rest of the way to Propriano, passing through the lovely looking town Sartène. We chose Propriano for the beachfront hotel we found. Mel beat me there by about half an hour.

Our nice beachfront hotel required me to drive down a very steep hill. It has Wi-Fi!!

The weather was unsettled late in the afternoon. Sometimes our hotel room view looked like this.

The hotel has a private sandy beach, but it was far too windy for a swim. And just a bit too cool. I missed my chance for a swim earlier today at Roccapina.

After catching up on things thanks to the excellent Wi-Fi, we walked 20 minutes or so into Propriano and had pretty good pizzas for dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

It was delightful to fall asleep to the sounds of ocean waves.

Mel reported that she had a solid headwind today and some busy roads up until Sartène that weren’t much fun. There were no alternatives.

Today's ride: 81 km (50 miles)
Total: 647 km (402 miles)

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