Hiking on the mythical GR20 in Corsica

Make GR20 in Corsica

The GR 20 is a long distance path that crosses the Corse diagonal from north to south (traditional sense). It is considered the most difficult of all GR routes (large hike) and the one of the most beautiful mountain trails Europe.

In Corsica, it is called fra li monti ("through the mountain"). His mark is white and red like all GRs. Long about 180 km with a positive elevation of about 10,000 meters, it can be travelled in 15 days . Even if GR20 does not require climbing techniques, level of physical form perfect and trust in you to walk on a variety of rugged terrain is necessary.

Flickr – akunamatata

The GR20 trail is divided into two parts :

- La north starts in Calenzana and ends in Vizzavona. It is the most difficult part, because of steep and rocky paths, but it is also considered the most beautiful.

- La south part goes from Vizzavona to Conca and is easier, but less spectacular, except the plateau of Coscione with its green meadows.

You can walk in both directions all the length of the trail or only one of the two sections if you wish. Since GR 20 is fairly borrowed and most hikers walk south, some people recommend walking from the south to the north to limit crowd gatherings. Moreover, it is important to know that walking from the South to the North is easier and less long.

The steps of GR 20

The main steps of the GR20 Trail are as follows. They are then arranged on a map to show you the route of the hike. On the map I added 4 points to adjust the real journey.

• A. Calenzana

• B. Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu

• C. Refuge de Carrozzu

• D. Asco-Stagnu Refuge (Haut-Asco)

• E. Tighjettu Refuge

• G. Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori

• I. Refuge de Manganu

• J. Refuge de Pietra Piana

• K. Refuge de l’Onda

• L. Vizzavona

• Mr. Bergeries de Capannelle

• O. Refuge de Prati

• P. Refuge d’Usciolu

• Q. Asinau Refuge (Asinao)

• S. Refuge de Paliri

• T. Conca

And here are the 15 detailed steps of GR20. They are ideally done in 15 days, but you can also do 2 steps a day, bringing the duration of the course to 7 days.

Day

Step from – to

Point culminant

Denived +

Denived –

Time ↓

Time ↑

1

Calenzana – Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu

1550 m

1295 m

50 m

6:30

5:00

2

Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu – Refuge de Carrozzu

2020 m

667 m

917 m

7:00

5:00

3

Refuge de Carrozzu – Refuge d’Asco-Stagnu

2010 m

790 m

638 m

6h10

4h45

4

Asco-Stagnu Refuge – Tighjettu Refuge

2183 m

999 m

738 m

6:00

6:00

5

Tighjettu Refuge – Ciottulu di i Mori Refuge

1991 m

607 m

78 m

4:00

4:00

6

Ciottulu di i Mori Refuge – Manganu Refuge

1991 m

643 m

1033 m

8:00

8:00

7

Refuge de Manganu – Refuge de Pietra Piana

2225 m

830 m

589 m

6:30

6:00

8

Refuge de Pietra Piana – Refuge de l’Onda

1842 m

490 m

902 m

4h50

5:15

9

Onda Refuge – Vizzavona

2141 m

711 m

1221 m

6h05

6h40

10

Vizzavona – Bergeries de Capannelle

1640 m

890 m

224 m

5:15

4h50

11

Bergeries de Capannelle – Refuge de Prati

1840 m

642 m

408 m

6h10

6:00

12

Refuge de Prati – Refuge d’Usciolu

2041 m

677 m

747 m

5:45

6:30

13

Refuge d’Usciolu – Refuge d’Asinao

2134 m

845 m

1065 m

8:00

8:30

14

Asinao Refuge – Paliri Refuge

1536 m

429 m

910 m

7:00

7:20

15

Paliri Refuge – Conca

1055 m

160 m

926 m

5:00

6:15

Total

180 km approximately

Below, one detailed map of GR20 in Corsica, click on it to enlarge it:

Source – traveler.autonomous.free.fr

What to see on the GR20 route?

The GR20 is in itself a very beautiful tourist and natural attraction and attracts thousands of hikers each year. But on the way, you can stop to visit some beautiful sites of Corsica:

Flickr – Sylvain CITERNE

- Cirque de la Solitude , a steep and difficult part of the 4th stage, where you will have to climb using chains bolted to rock - Lake Nino a glacial lake in the middle of green meadows, 6th stage - Lake Melo and Lake Capitello , two other glacial lakes surrounded by steep rocks during the 8th stage - Monte d’Oro , the 12th highest peak of Corsica at the 9th stage - Monte Incudine , the highest mountain of South Corsica with beautiful views of Plateau de Coscione during the 13th stage - Bavella needles , spectacular cliffs during the 14th stage

Flickr – R E M I B R I D O T

Possible secondary discoveries

- Monte Corona , climb to the top of 2144 m high at the end of the 1st stage (or the beginning of the 2nd stage) - Cirque de Bonifatu , a little less picturesque but more shaded than the previous (2nd stage) - Monte Cinto , climb of the highest peak of Corsica (2706 m) at the end of the 3rd stage - Paglia Orba , ascent of the 7th highest (and most beautiful according to many people) peak of Corsica (2525 m) during the 5th stage (equipped climbing skills) - Lake Creno , descent to the beautiful lake during the 6th stage - Monte Rotondo (Monte Ritondu), climb of the 2nd highest peak of Corsica (2622 m), 7th stage - Monte Renoso , climb at 2352 m above sea level glacial lake of Bastiani (2089 m) in the 11th stage

When do GR 20? - Weather

The best time to make the trek on the GR20 is end of June and early September when the majority of shelters are open and when the weather is not too hot and the runway is less crowded than in July-August. Between November and May, there is snow in the mountains and the track is very dangerous. There are no guards in off-season shelters, so you have to carry all your food.

In winter (from February to April), GR 20 can only be crossed by experienced cross-country skiers with a high mountain guide. The winter variant of the northern part of the GR20 is known as Alta Strada , the famous Haute Route Corse.

Accommodation and food

Flickr – akunamatata

♪ mountain shelters along GR 20 offer accommodation and basic food. The shelters, where can sleep 25-50 people, usually have a large dorm with long wooden bunks that are equipped with thick mattresses. You have to plan a blanket with yourself. Sleeping in a tent near the shelters is possible, but not along the path. Taking a tent is a good idea because you are not always sure to find room in a shelter.

The shelters are managed by the Corsica Regional Natural Park (PNRC). The prices in 2014 are 13€ per bed in a refuge and 6€ per person in your tent in bivouac. In addition, there are some shepherdies, cottages and private hotels along the track that are generally more comfortable but more expensive.

The shelters provide food and drinking water throughout the trail. All that has just been reported on the shelters applies from June to September. Although the PNRC shelters remain open all year round for safety, do not expect to find food, drink, heating and light between November and May.

Going alone or several?

Know it, on the way, you will meet a lot of people, even if you make the GR20 before and after the high season. The advantage of going to 2 or more is that you can lighten your bags by balancing weights. If you are alone and are looking for a hiking partner for GR20, you can find forums, like this one to post or read advertisements on this subject.

To read and see before leaving on GR20

Did you make the mythical GR20 in Corsica? Tell your experience by commenting below!

On the subject of hiking, you can read our article on the paths of Compostela .