Overview
A two week guided walking holiday along the famous Corsica GR20 long-distance walking trail, travelling in a small group and for experienced hikers. GR stands for Grandes Randonnées, a network of long-distance trails throughout France and this certainly is one of the grandest and toughest, taking a challenging two weeks to complete. Walk all of the 180km trail on this walking holiday, supported by an expert mountain leader, with luggage transferred for you on most days except in very elevated locations, as you take in the magnificent landscapes, walking from Conca in the south to Calenzana in the north.
Note that solo hikers are welcome on this GR20 trip, as the self-guided Corsica GR20 option is restricted to people travelling together.
- The ultimate GR or Grande Randonnée in Europe. GR20
- Long challenging ridge walks
- Pointe des Eboulis at 2,607m, the highest point on the GR20
- Foothills of Monte Cinto, Corsica’s highest summit
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Itinerary
Day 1: Bastia to Conca
This holiday starts on a Saturday in Bastia; a group transfer at 18.00 takes you from Bastia airport up to Conca, where you check into your first accommodation. Conca is the first stop on the GR20 and the journey takes approximately 1h 30mins. Time to settle into the gîte before an evening meal with the group.
- Overnight in a gîte in Conca
- Dinner included
Day 2: Conca to Bavella | 18km
This first day is a challenging and a good introduction to the trekking journey ahead. The trail leads uphill from the village of Conca. Your overnight gear is transported to the next night’s stop. The GR20 follows the traces of an ancient transhumance route through a rocky landscape of pines and granite boulders. The route continues to Paliri refuge at just over 1,000m altitude, then crosses Finosa before arriving at the hamlet of Bavella below the jagged Bavella Needles (Aiguilles de Bavella) at Col de Bavella.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 7-8h ↑1,500m ↓530m
- Overnight in a gîte in Bavella
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 3: Bavella to Coscione Plateau | 14km
Today is a challenging day from the high mountain pass of Col de Bavella. Before dawn, take the trail known as the Alpine variant which heads steeply uphill before passing at the base of several granite pinnacles. You descend the valley before following an easy trail through woods towards Asinao refuge, before heading up to the magnificent ridge of Monte Alcudina, with a summit at 2,134m. You leave high ground and head down towards the famous Cuscione Plateau. This is the largest plateau on the island and spreads over 50km2. Your overnight stop is a shepherd’s cabin located on the edge of the plateau.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 8-9h ↑1,350m ↓1,025m
- Overnight in a refuge at Coscione Plateau
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 4: Coscione Plateau to Cozzano | 18km
Today you pick up the trail on the Plateau and cross the wide open green pasture with its streams and watering holes. You make your way uphill through an ancient forest of dwarf oak trees up to Col de l’Agnone. From here, you take on one of the best ridge walks and, as it’s very exposed, the trail is ambitious. The elements have created wonderful natural sculptures in the granite and the trail extends on either side of the ridge. At the end of the day we drop down to the village of Cozzano, a hive of activity in the heart of the mountains.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 8h ↑575m ↓1,380m
- Overnight in an auberge in Cozzano
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 5: Cozzano to Col de Verde | 19km
This walk has some exceptional scenery with great views. From the refuge, you continue along the ridge that separates the Taravo and Fiumorbu valleys. Next, the trail heads towards Col de Laparo. You pass the GR refuge at Prati (1,820m) where it is worth stopping to enjoy the rooftop views of the island and the lush terrain here. It is sometimes possible to see the islands of Elba and Monte Cristo from here. The descent winds in and out of forest to your destination at Col de Verde (1,289m).
- Walking for the day: 19km, 7-8h ↑1,400m ↓850m
- Overnight in a gîte at Col de Verde
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 6: Col de Verde to Vizzavona | 27km
The trail undulates gently today and mainly contours through a pine forest. These tall, straight Lariccio pines with silvery bark are very typical of Corsica. Today’s walk is essentially traversing the flanks of the dominating mountain, Monte Renosu. You continue to Bocca Palmente (1,640m) where, on a clear day, the views are exceptional, the looming massifs of Monte d’Oro and Rotondu towering above. You drop down into a thick forest of pine and beech trees for a relaxing descent; the trail loops back and forth, lacing down to the Vizzavona area (920m), the midway point of the GR20.
- Walking for the day: 27km, 7-8h ↑1,575m ↓1,450m
- Overnight in a gîte in Vizzavona
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 7: Vizzavona to Petra Piana | 16-20km
Today you cover the first two stages of the northern section of the GR20. First, you embark on a steady ascent to Brêche de Muratellu (2,100m). The path leads alongside the Cascade des Anglais up to Muratellu, with a high level route via the summit of Pinzi Corbini (2,021m), to Petra Piana refuge (1,840m). This is a short but challenging ridge section, steep and exposed. In bad weather, there is an alternative lower valley option that will be taken directly to Petra Piana. Tonight you camp in the vicinity of Petra Piana refuge.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 9h ↑1,240m ↓1,120m or 20km, 9h ↑1,800m ↓510m
- Overnight in a tent in Petra Piana
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- No luggage transfer – your main luggage will be transported directly to the Day 9 accommodation
Day 8: Petra Piana to Camputile Plateau | 8.5km
From Petra Piana, a short uphill section takes you to the high ridge above the refuge. The trail is rocky, almost lunar like. You pass a mountain col and continue on the high route. The views are spectacular, with Corte, the island’s historical capital, in the distance and a series of wonderful glacier lakes to discover. From Brèche above Lake Capitello, you head downhill to Manganu refuge, located on the edge of Camputile Plateau.
- Walking for the day: 8.5km, 5h ↑610m ↓860m
- Camp overnight on Camputile plateau
- No luggage transfer – your main luggage will be transported directly to the Day 9 accommodation
Day 9: Camputile Plateau to Col de Vergio | 16km
The GR20 is well-marked, leading gently uphill, a relaxing walk through beech woods, and across the soft, green terrain to Lac de Nino. A morning stop to have a snack and relax on the banks of the lake. At 1,743m, this glacier lake is in a lovely, sheltered spot, surrounded by spongy peat and streams, ideal grazing ground for ponies and other wild animals in summer. Finally, you drop down at Col St Pierre to join a flat horseshoe-shaped trail to Castel di Vergio, the island’s small ski station.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 6h ↑510m ↓710m
- Overnight in a gîte in Col de Vergio
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 10: Col de Vergio to Melarie Valley | 14.5km
The GR20 trail follows the Golu River up the valley towards its source. Midway up the valley, your route crosses the Golu, a good place to take a break on the smooth sun-baked rocks, a paddle and a swim for the brave. The trail shortly leaves the floor of the valley and heads up to the ridge line. There are clear views of villages dotted on the west coast and the indented outline of the island in the sea. Ciuttolu di I Mori (2,000m), the highest refuge in Corsica, is situated between two daunting mountains, Tafanatu and Paglia Orba, on the slopes of which you may spot wild mountain sheep. From the refuge, the GR20 falls away steeply downhill to Vallone where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 14.5km, 6-7h ↑810m ↓780m
- Overnight in a tent in Vallone
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- No luggage transfer – your main luggage will be transported directly to the Day 11 accommodation
Day 11: Melarie Valley to Haut Asco | 9km
Today is a tough, high-altitude mountain walk. You make your way uphill progressively to the foothills of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit on the island. The climb is steep, rocky and slow. After a couple of hours, you arrive at Bocca Crucetta; a ridge leads to the daunting Pointe des Eboulis at 2,607m, the highest point on the GR20, and the view is spectacular. From here, the path descends to a small lake on the other side. After that, the trail continues downhill through scree and rocky terrain, followed by woodland to the old ski station of Haut-Asco.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 7h ↑1,260m ↓1,230m
- Overnight in a gîte in Haut Asco
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 12: Haut Asco to Carrozzu | 7km
From the ski station at Haut Asco, a superb ascent takes you to Bocca Di Stagnu (2,010m) at the foot of the Muvrella (2,150m). From Lake Muvrella, the view over Calvi Bay is incredible. You drop down from here to the refuge at Carrozzu where you camp.
- Walking for the day: 7km, 5-6h ↑650m ↓850m
- Overnight in a tent in Carrozzu refuge
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- No luggage transfer – your main luggage will be transported directly to the Day 14 accommodation
Day 13: Carrozzu to Ortu di Pobbiu | 7km
The first part of this walk is outstanding taking you to the Cirque de Bonifatu. The trail works its way around the edge of this large cirque and the panoramic view of all the highest peaks will stop you in your tracks. The day breaks into two clear sections; the second half crosses an easier basin area that is dotted with woodland before arriving at the perfectly located refuge at Ortu di Pobbiu, where you camp for the night.
- Walking for the day: 7km, 7h ↑950m ↓750m
- Overnight in a tent in Ortu refuge
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- No luggage transfer – your main luggage will be transported directly to the Day 14 accommodation
Day 14: Ortu di Pobbiu to Calenzana | 11km
From Ortu di Pobbiu the day is varied all the way to the end of the trek at the village of Calenzana. This is the last day in the Bonifatu massif, where the scenery is breathtaking from granite mountains to dense forests and low-level maquis scrub. You also take in last views of the coastline and the Balagne hills are superb before arriving at the bustling village of Calenzana. After a short transfer, you reach Calvi for your final night.
- Walking for the day: 11km, 6h ↑50m ↓1,360m
- Overnight in a hotel in Calvi
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Luggage transfer included
Day 15: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast. Public transport to Ajaccio or Bastia and departure, or you can book a private transfer.
This itinerary is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to, correct at the time of publication. Should situations arise that are beyond our control, such as severe weather conditions, or other factors that could put your safety at risk, it may be possible for the itinerary to be modified.
What to expect
Accommodation
Simple gîtes, refuges and cabins, sleeping in dormitories or camping at refuges. Sleeping mats are provided when sleeping in a tent. Refuges in Corsica are small, simple and rustic, with with basic facilities (cold water showers only, limited and shared WC facilities, no blankets). In Calvi, the hotel is Les Arbousiers or similar. Upgrade to a private twin room is possible only for three overnights – in Vizzavona, Vergio and Asco.
*Hotel accommodation, where possible, is subject to availability.
Meals
Simple continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam). Evening meals are based on local specialities – a starter, soup or smoked meats, main course or pasta or rice with a sauce, cheese, fruit or sweet pudding. Picnic lunches are included (please bring a Tupperware or suitable container for rice, pasta, lentils, couscous salads). Should you have any food allergies, special requests or dietary requirements, please advise when booking. Food options can be limited for vegetarians and particularly vegans, and special diets usually cannot be accommodated due to the remoteness of these areas.
Difficulty and terrain
GR20 is considered the most difficult trek in Europe for a reason. Overlooking this fact could put inexperienced walkers in big danger. Do not overestimate your skills, and prepare for your trip properly. The GR20 is for hikers in excellent physical shape who already have solid experience of high mountain trekking over several days. The walks are long, between 6-9h a day, sometimes more. You can expect steep uphill and downhill sections with up to 1,000m altitude gain some days. The temperatures can vary, and weather conditions can be severe. You need to be sure-footed, not be afraid of heights, without any medical conditions, used to long hiking days, heavy backpacks and scrambling. The terrain is rocky and can be slippery at times, and you need to know how to place your feet on rocky ground (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This guided tour has four departure dates (Saturdays) in 2023 – please click the Dates & Prices link above to check availability. There are limited seats available, and the groups are up to 12 people.
The climate of Corsica is Mediterranean on the coast, with mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers, while in inland areas, it gradually becomes colder with increasing altitude. The best time for hiking in the mountains is from June to September.
Getting there
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Inclusions
Included
- Accommodation for 14 nights as listed in the itinerary
- Full board – breakfast, picnic lunches (please, bring a Tupperware for rice, pasta etc.), dinners as indicated in the itinerary – from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15
- Experienced English-speaking international mountain leader
- Group transfer from Bastia airport to Conca on day 1 and from Calenzana to Calvi on day 14
- Luggage transfers on eight walking days – your main luggage will be transported by vehicle to Bavella, Coscione, Cozzano, Col de Verde and Vizzavona in the South and Col de Vergio, Haut Asco and Calvi in the North. You must carry your sleeping bag and personal belongings for the nights in refuges not accessible by road.
- 24/7 phone support from our local office/representative in Ajaccio
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Single-room supplement is not available as you stay in dormitories or tents.
- Private room for three nights (in Vizzavona, Vergio and Asco) – only twin rooms available
- Sleeping bags and poles rental on request
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