A dream destination: Corsica

From September 27 to October 10, 2026, Adventure Racing will cross the Mediterranean to settle in Corsica, the host land of the Adventure Racing World Championship. Designed with discovery in mind, the course will explore the Island of Beauty over a journey of approximately 500 km. Start city: Corte. Finish city: L’Île Rousse.

Between these two points, a non-stop expedition awaits in trek, mountain biking, kayaking, packrafting… traversing North to South and East to West across this unique land.

“What an incredible emotion to prepare this race! We want it to be authentic, encouraging a respectful discovery of the island’s natural landscapes and true to our baseline, Back to Nature, which perfectly reflects our commitment to staying close to the very essence of non-stop racing: an immersive, team-based expedition. What could be more “magic” than this Island of Beauty to host the World Championship! We are proud to prepare such a challenge and thrilled about the months ahead, entirely dedicated to bringing this extraordinary adventure to life,” says Pascal Bahuaud, race director of the ARWC 2026.

Corte, nicknamed U Paese di l’Orsu

In the heart of the Island of Beauty, Corte was the capital of independent Corsica in the mid-18th century. Nicknamed U Paese di l’Orsu, which literally means The Land of the Bear, the town still carries a singular intensity, a mark of its former grandeur. It will be the starting point of the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship (#ARWC2026). A historic and university town, Corte is built around its citadel, which rises like an “eagle’s nest” above the steep valleys of the Restonica and Tavignanu rivers. At the confluence of the granite massif to the west and the schistous alpine range to the east, Corte forms a true natural stronghold between the En-deçà and Au-delà des monts.

At the heart of the Corsican Regional Natural Park, the richness and diversity of its vast mountainous terrain will offer competitors countless landscapes, including the Restonica Valley, considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular regions of Corsica. With its glacial gorges carved into granite cliffs, covered in lush pine forests, this valley takes its name from the Restonica River, which winds through the cliffs and gorges up to the many lakes scattered across the area. The most famous, Lake Melo and the breathtaking Lake Capitello, are accessible on foot via a challenging and at times steep hiking trail.

L’Île Rousse, sea, fish and sun

Between sea and maquis, L’Île-Rousse enjoys an exceptional geographical location in the northwest of Corsica. This former fishing village, nicknamed the Paoline City, captivates with its sun-drenched summer atmosphere. It will be the finish city of the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship (#ARWC2026). The town makes hearts race with its incredible bay, crowned by orange-tinted islets of red porphyry. Visitors come for its stunning landscapes painted in turquoise blue and bright green. Wandering through its narrow streets, L’Île-Rousse reveals itself—authentic and generous.

Around 1758, this fishing village entered Corsican history thanks to Pascal Paoli. He transformed this small trading post into a fortified town built around a port to weaken the Genoese activities of the neighboring harbors of Algajola and Calvi. Its main square, naturally named Paoli, is the heart of the town, with the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, its forecourt, and the towering date palms under whose shade the elders rest and recount history.

The town is also blessed with three beaches. Caruchettu, with its rocky outcrops on the sand, silky shores, and crystal-clear waters, is undoubtedly the wildest.