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The authentic full GR20

15 days / 14 nights
Corsica - GR20 - full GR20 - Independent walking

Last updated: 22/11/2023

price from 1240 € per pers.

Our prices are calculated on the basis of two participants. For groups, please contact us for a quote.

Considered as the most difficult and technical long-distance walk of Europe, the GR20 attracts walkers from all over the world looking for a challenge.

This self guided circuit will allow you to discover the most wild and most beautiful landscapes that Corsica has to offer.

The "traditional" GR20 route goes from refuge to refuge (i.e. bunk houses). We use Gites, which means that our trip is designed around the GR20 footpath, but inevitably, it diverges away from thr GR20 to reach the gites that we use. This by no means affects the quality of the trip; on the contrary, it increases the quality of the trip. We also propose the greatest number of luggage transfers (in option).




Prepare your trip


You will need a sleeping bag. Tents are provided when necessary. We strongly advise you to buy the correct IGN maps for this trip to complement the printed map sections that we provide as part of the package.

Your day by day program

1
From Calvi to Bonifatu

Your trip will start in the morning from Calvi. Calvi is accessible by plane, train or ferry. A transfer to Calenzana is then organised for you. South-east of Calvi, this little village sits quietly within an area abundant with olive trees. From here you will start your hike to Bonifatu, which lies high up in the forest. This stage is characterised by several river crossings as well as magnificent views of the typical towns of the Balagne. It is an excellent warm up to the GR20 offering superb views towards the Corsican coast.
Food: D
Accommodation:Gîte (double room available).
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 11km
Walking: About 4h05.
Height gain: + 700m Height loss: -450m

2
From Bonifatu to Haut Asco

After breakfast, you will leave Bonifatu for one of the longest stages along the GR20. Once more crossing several rivers before reaching the famous footbridge of Spasimata, which is 30 metres in length and suspended above a waterfall (a great location for photos). You will arrive in the Valley of the Muvrella (mouflon) with its small lake. The viewpoints are numerous and divine from the passes. The route continues to the foot of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit of Corsica, where you will spend the night.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 9.5km
Walking: About 8h00.
Height gain: +1300m Height loss: -598m.

3
From Haut Asco to the sheepfolds of Vallone

To avoid the Cirque de la Solitude, closed to the public since 2015, you cross the Great Barrier Reef by the itinerary of Monte Cintu and through the Pointe des Éboulis. The route continues passed the refuge of Tighjettu before reaching the sheepfolds of Vallone, where a cluster of shepherd huts await you with ample portions of home cooked food made from local products.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tent
No access to your main luggage.
Distance: 7.5km
Walk: about 8h30
Altitude gain & loss: +1200m, -800m

4
From the Sheepfolds of Vallone to Verghio

After waking up to views of the surrounding mountains, the day begins with a gentle walk through a forest of giant Laricio pines before a long climb up the Bocca di Fuciale. The climb is soon rewarded as you reach up and over the saddle towards the Refuge of Ciotulu i Mori, where the view expands down towards the Golo valley. From here, the path becomes much easier, as you wind your way down the valley, past the many rock pools on the Golo river, which are fantastic for bathing. The final stretch takes you back through the woods and up again to Castel di Verghio.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 13.5km
Walking: About 6h15.
Height gain: +971m Height loss: -1017m.

5
From Verghio to the Manganu refuge

We pass Bocca San Pedru between sky and sea. The magic happens after passing Bocca a Reta. To the east, the coastline stands out against the deep blue of the Mediterranean. On the other side, a glacial cirque is revealed which hides, in a green setting, one of the jewels of the Corsican mountain. Bordered by its pozzines, Lake Nino welcomes a herd of wild horses.

Food: B,L
Accommodation: Refuge.
No access to your main luggage.

Walking: About 7h50
Height gain: +869m Height loss: -689m

6
From Manganu to Petra Piana

Stream and rocky bars follow one another before reaching a plateau of pozzines. Then the Capitellu breach will offer you a breathtaking view of the lakes of Melu and Capitellu. After some efforts to reach Bocca Muzella (2206m), you will descend to reach a small plateau where the Petra Piana refuge is located.

Food: To be paid on spot.
Accommodation: Refuge.
No access to your main luggage.

Walking: About 6 hours
Height gain: +670 m Height loss: -465 m

7
From Petra Piana to l'Onda

A rather short, aerial and panoramic stage between the massifs of Monte Rotondo and Monte d'Oro. Be careful, some tricky passages in strong winds! On a clear day, you will have the chance to see the Gulf of Ajaccio.

Food: To be paid on spot.
Accommodation: Refuge.
No access to your main luggage.

Walking: About 5 hours
Height gain: +560 m ; -965 m

8
From l'Onda to Vizzavona

Last day on the northern part of the trail. A magnificent stage awaits you from the Onda refuge towards Vizzavona, passing through the magical Agnone valley at the foot of Monte d'Oro. After the Turtettu footbridge, here we are in front of a multitude of small waterfalls and streams. Between forest and clinking of water, you arrive slowly towards Vizzavona.

Night and dinner in Vizzavona.
Food: D
Accommodation: Refuge (double room available)
Possible access to your main luggage.
Walking: About 6,5 hours
Height gain: +630 m ; -1140 m

9
From Vizzavona to Capanelle

Today’s trek begins with the col de Vizzavona and the stiff but steady climb to Bocca Palmente where the view is splendid. Next, after passing the crest, you will discover several sheepfolds before finally arriving at the sheepfolds of Capanelle where you will spend the night.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 14km
Walking: About 5h00
Height gain: +1155m Height loss: -715m

10
From Capanelle to the Col de Verde

From Capanelle, you make your way to the picturesque sheepfolds of Traghjete before trekking on towards the Plateau of Ghialgone. You will cross the footbridge of I Spiazzi (another bathing point). Your final descent of the day lies under the shadow of the rarest and most majestic Corsican fir trees, before reaching the Col de Verde.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 12km
Walking: about 5h00
Height gain: +630m Height loss: -915m

11
From the Col de Verde to Cozzano

You start the day with a climb towards the refuge of Prati, which is perfectly positioned for beautiful views across to the massif of Renosu. The view is at its best when we reach the crest. From here the view stretches out across the Ligurian sea and the Italian island of Elba (when the weather allows it). We now descend in amongst a landscape of rocky slabs before reaching Cozzano, a town in the heart of Corsica.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 18km
Walking: about 8h00
Height gain: +970m Height loss: -1520m

12
From Cozzano to the Sheepfolds of Bassetta

Today you'll climb to the Bocca di l'Usciolu and walk along the mountain ridge with its dreamlike rocky landscape, sculpted by the wind. The path descends through an alder-tree forest, aged over a hundred years. The lush vegetation becomes more dense and exposed, and you soon reach the plateau of the Cuscione and the shepherd's huts of Bassetta.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 13km
Walking: about 6h30
Height gain:+1240m Height loss:-670m

A different route can be taken in case of bad weather.

13
From Bassetta to Bavella

This is the longest and hardest day of the holiday, but the end of this superb trek is in sight. The plateau of the Cuscione offers a gentle terrain with its green grazing lands and pozzines (a type of peat bog). The climb then begins towards Monte Incudine. Once over the ridge, the descent takes you to the Asinau valley. The path continues to skirt around the spectacular granite peaks known as the "Aguilles" or "needles" of Bavella, which dominate the landscape of this breathtaking Alta Rocca region. There couldn't be a more fantastic place to finish this memorable walk.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: 23.5km
Walking: about 09h00
Height gain: +1300m Height loss: -1400m


14
From Bavella to Conca: the last stage!

The start of the day is outlined by an easy path in the forest in the southern massif of Bavella to the refuge of Paliri. You will then attack the descent, accompanied by the scented essences of the maquis. The end of this great adventure is approaching ... On your arrival in Conca, you will be able to pose proudly next to the sign marking the end of the GR20!

Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Possible access to your main luggage.
Distance: km
Walking: about 7 hours.
Height gain: + 450m, –1400m

15
End of the great adventure

End of services after breakfast. From Conca, you can easily take a shuttle to Porto Vecchio, then a bus to Bastia or Ajaccio.
Contact us if you need a transfer.

Departure board

Everyday from June until mid september

Technical information

Fact sheet
Starting point
  • Calvi
End
  • Conca
Accommodation
  • In gîtes d’étape (dormitory style), 4 night in tent. 4 nights can be in rooms of two (upon to availability).
Number of people
  • Minimum 2.
Level of difficulty
  • You need to be used to trekking in the mountains and be able to read and follow map instructions. From 4h30 to 9h of hiking per day on sometimes difficult trails.
Carrying
  • Possibility of luggage transfers 10 days out of 14 (see prices in the options).
Options
  • Extra cost for luggage transfer (10 days out of 14). Per person, for a group of two hikers. : 920€
  • Extra cost for luggage transfer (10 days out of 14). Per person, for a group of four hikers. : 460€
  • 4 nights in double room instead of dorms (price per person) : 150€
Included
  • Nights in gîtes, bergeries and tent.
  • 11 breakfasts, 11 dinners, 10 pic nic lunches.
  • Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana.
  • Information package with GPS tracks and route notes on app (a smartphone is required)
  • Local hotline
Not included
  • Transfer from Conca at the end of the trip
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transfers not included in the itinerary (including in times of bad weather or physicial ailments)
  • Everything not mentionned on the "included" section
  • Beverages and holiday insurance

Map

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