European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 16, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A driven the wild Side Rocky Cliffs hem in one Section of the 115-mile route along the West coast of Corsica. Byj. Kin Cruger Mediterranean Bureau the Mediterranean coast has its share of Cliff hugging heart halting Scenic drives. Driving along the rugged West coast of the Spanish Island of Majorca or along Italy s Amalfi coast South of Naples can unhinged the coolest Motorist. Nevertheless they Are child s play Mere meandering warmups for one of Europe s sternest trials of driving nerve All 5-mile, sweaty Palm run along Corsica s West coast. This drive on the wild Side should not be attempted by anyone with a fear of Heights. By any but skilled motorists. In a Large vehicle that cannot be mane Vered easily. In Rainy weather when the Road becomes super Slick visibility is limited and Rock slides present a near constant threat. This drive in t for faint hearted sunday Drivers. A false move could be deadly. Why would anyone attempt it because the route skirting the predominantly Rocky coast Between Ajaccio and Calvi takes in the most dramatic scenery on wild and incredibly Beautiful Corsica France s largest Island. It starts out harmlessly enough from Ajaccio the Island s capital and the Birthplace of Napoleon slicing across a Peninsula before dipping Down to the Placid Waters and blinding White Sands of the Gulf of Liscia with its Miles of near deserted tourist beaches. From the fishing port and resort town of Sargese the Road turns mean As it Heads for the High ground for an ear popping roller coaster ride. Corsica has been described As a Mountain in the sea and that s not much of an exaggeration. Mountains Rise everywhere along the West coast the Island s highest Peak Monte Cinto soars 8,914 feet. The Granite rocks shimmer with color. Red Violet turning to greenish Pink then Pale Pink and later a Bright Flamingo Pink. After the Hilltop resort of Piana the Road enters a strange other worldly landscape of coves known As Les Calanche that Are filled with curious red Brown Rock formations the texture of Coral twisted into phantasmagoric Al shapes. They contrast with the vivid Blue Mediterranean into which they plunge. Just beyond is Porto a Little fishing Village sheltered by a Lagoon that just might be the most Beautiful spot on the Island. Take a break at Porto for although you have already endured several White knuckle hours behind the wheel the most demanding stretch of Road 40 Miles of it is still to come. The Road will show no mercy. Push hard and you May be Able to cover the final 40 Miles in two hours if you Don t get stuck behind some timid Dawdle. The narrowness of the Road and its scores of switchbacks virtually won t allow you to pass another vehicle. At one Point the Road will climb atop the 850 foot High col de Fossa before plunging for the final 17-mile run into Calvi. The Road s prime peril sheer drop offs unprotected by guardrails of hundreds of feet is obvious enough but watch Oul for an unexpected danger cows. The dummies like to slumber in the Sun in bends in the Road. The possibility of the cows living to Ripe old Ages seems quite Remote about As Remote As the Chance of a bad Driver surviving Corsica s wildest ride without coming to grief. A View from Corsica s West coast Highway of a Sandy Cove North of Ajaccio is photos by Gus Schuettler 4 stripes Magazine february 16, 1989