Departures 2025
Program of your self-guided hike in Corsica
Day 1: Bavella - Asinao
Meeting in Ajaccio early in the morning. Transfer to the Bavella pass. You walk along the alpine variant to pass through the heart of the Bavella massif. You are surrounded by peaks and ravines and the view is magnificent. Night at the refuge of Asinao.
Day 2: Asinao - Bassetta
You take the trail that leads up to the summit of Alcudina (2134m), your first summit above 2000m. The landscape becomes smoother while crossing the Plateau du Cuscionu.
Night at the sheperds' hut of Bassetta or I Crocci. You have access to the following baggage.
Day 3: Bassetta - Usciolu
You leave the plateau and joins the Arête des statues (the statues ridge). You find your way between these strange granit boulders shaped by the wind. Night at the refuge of Usciolu.
Day 4: Usciolu - Prati/Verde
You still walk on the ridge which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This long and great day leads you to the Verde pass. On the way, you climb Punta Capella (2041m).
Night at the refuge of Prati or at the lodge Col de Verde. You have access to your following baggage if night at Col de Verde.
Day 5: Prati/Verde - Capanelle
You pass through some idyllic spots and visit remote stone shepherds' huts. You walk between the surprising water holes of Pozzi du Renoso and continue easily to your lodge. Night at the lodge of Capanelle.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 6: Capanelle to Vizzavona
By an old mule track, you arrive at the Palmente pass (1640m). You enjoy the magnificent scenery on Diana's and Urbino's ponds and a beautiful view to the east coast. Descent through Vizzavona beech grove.Night at the lodge of Vizzavona.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 7: Vizzavona - L'Onda *
You walk up along the Agnone river and reach Punta Muratellu (2141m). After this long and steep slope, the view on the highest peaks is a good reward for your efforts. We descend to the refuge de l'Onda that we can see far underneath.Night at the refuge de l'Onda.
Day 8: L'Onda - Petra Piana *
Depending on the weather conditions, you follow the exposed ridge of Pinzi Corbini (2021m) or you walk down to the Manganellu river that you follow upwards (plenty of bathing possibilities). A last steep slope and you join the small refuge of Petra Piana.Night at refuge of Petra Piana.
Day 9: Petra Piana - Vaccaghja
You first walk up to the Haute Route pass (2206m) and then follow the edge that overlooks the Melu and Capitellu lakes. After the Bocca a e Porte notch (2225m), you go down a wild valley to the refuge of Manganu and continue easily to the shepherds' hut of Vaccaghja.Night at the shepherds' huts in Vaccaghja.
Day 10: Vaccaghja - Vergio
You walk easily through a beech grove and reach the Ninu lake surrounded by green lawns. From the top of Capu a u Tozzu (2007m), you have a fantastic panoramic view over the Niolu valley and the next stages. Night at the lodge Castel di Vergio. You have access to your following baggage
Day 11: Vergio - Ballone/Tighjettu
You now penetrate the volcanic massif of Monte Cintu-Paglia Orba. The first part of this stage is easy along the Golu river. After the Foggiale pass, the terrain becomes steeper and looser. Good bathing possibilities at the end of the stage.Night at the sheperds' huts of Ballone or at the refuge of Tighjettu.
Day 12: Ballone/Tighjettu - Ascu Stagnu
An impressive and strenuous day in the high mountains. You walk up the Crucetta valley to the top of Pointe des Eboulis (2600m). Depending on the weather and your physical shape, you climb the Monte Cintu (2706m), the highest mountain of Corsica. Night at the lodge Le Chalet in Ascu Stagnu.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 13: Ascu - Bonifatu
A short but steep slope leads you to the Muvrella pass and you descend the deep Spasimata valley surrounded by sharp peaks. Some exposed passages on slabs are equipped with chains. The Mediterranean plants appear again, temperature rises and the trail flattens out; a sweet end for your trip. Arrival in Bonifatu and transfer to Calvi. You have access to your following baggage.
* DAY 7/8: It is possible to have a rest day by sleeping two nights in Vizzavona and start again the hike on Sunday morning from Tattone. You have the possibility to take the train to Ajaccio to visit the town and go the beach.
Meeting in Ajaccio early in the morning. Transfer to the Bavella pass. You walk along the alpine variant to pass through the heart of the Bavella massif. You are surrounded by peaks and ravines and the view is magnificent. Night at the refuge of Asinao.
Day 2: Asinao - Bassetta
You take the trail that leads up to the summit of Alcudina (2134m), your first summit above 2000m. The landscape becomes smoother while crossing the Plateau du Cuscionu.
Night at the sheperds' hut of Bassetta or I Crocci. You have access to the following baggage.
Day 3: Bassetta - Usciolu
You leave the plateau and joins the Arête des statues (the statues ridge). You find your way between these strange granit boulders shaped by the wind. Night at the refuge of Usciolu.
Day 4: Usciolu - Prati/Verde
You still walk on the ridge which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This long and great day leads you to the Verde pass. On the way, you climb Punta Capella (2041m).
Night at the refuge of Prati or at the lodge Col de Verde. You have access to your following baggage if night at Col de Verde.
Day 5: Prati/Verde - Capanelle
You pass through some idyllic spots and visit remote stone shepherds' huts. You walk between the surprising water holes of Pozzi du Renoso and continue easily to your lodge. Night at the lodge of Capanelle.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 6: Capanelle to Vizzavona
By an old mule track, you arrive at the Palmente pass (1640m). You enjoy the magnificent scenery on Diana's and Urbino's ponds and a beautiful view to the east coast. Descent through Vizzavona beech grove.Night at the lodge of Vizzavona.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 7: Vizzavona - L'Onda *
You walk up along the Agnone river and reach Punta Muratellu (2141m). After this long and steep slope, the view on the highest peaks is a good reward for your efforts. We descend to the refuge de l'Onda that we can see far underneath.Night at the refuge de l'Onda.
Day 8: L'Onda - Petra Piana *
Depending on the weather conditions, you follow the exposed ridge of Pinzi Corbini (2021m) or you walk down to the Manganellu river that you follow upwards (plenty of bathing possibilities). A last steep slope and you join the small refuge of Petra Piana.Night at refuge of Petra Piana.
Day 9: Petra Piana - Vaccaghja
You first walk up to the Haute Route pass (2206m) and then follow the edge that overlooks the Melu and Capitellu lakes. After the Bocca a e Porte notch (2225m), you go down a wild valley to the refuge of Manganu and continue easily to the shepherds' hut of Vaccaghja.Night at the shepherds' huts in Vaccaghja.
Day 10: Vaccaghja - Vergio
You walk easily through a beech grove and reach the Ninu lake surrounded by green lawns. From the top of Capu a u Tozzu (2007m), you have a fantastic panoramic view over the Niolu valley and the next stages. Night at the lodge Castel di Vergio. You have access to your following baggage
Day 11: Vergio - Ballone/Tighjettu
You now penetrate the volcanic massif of Monte Cintu-Paglia Orba. The first part of this stage is easy along the Golu river. After the Foggiale pass, the terrain becomes steeper and looser. Good bathing possibilities at the end of the stage.Night at the sheperds' huts of Ballone or at the refuge of Tighjettu.
Day 12: Ballone/Tighjettu - Ascu Stagnu
An impressive and strenuous day in the high mountains. You walk up the Crucetta valley to the top of Pointe des Eboulis (2600m). Depending on the weather and your physical shape, you climb the Monte Cintu (2706m), the highest mountain of Corsica. Night at the lodge Le Chalet in Ascu Stagnu.You have access to your following baggage.
Day 13: Ascu - Bonifatu
A short but steep slope leads you to the Muvrella pass and you descend the deep Spasimata valley surrounded by sharp peaks. Some exposed passages on slabs are equipped with chains. The Mediterranean plants appear again, temperature rises and the trail flattens out; a sweet end for your trip. Arrival in Bonifatu and transfer to Calvi. You have access to your following baggage.
* DAY 7/8: It is possible to have a rest day by sleeping two nights in Vizzavona and start again the hike on Sunday morning from Tattone. You have the possibility to take the train to Ajaccio to visit the town and go the beach.
Level
Very hard : average daily walking time between 6 and 8 hours, with an ascent of 800 m or more. More than 10 days of walking in a row. This trek is considered as the toughest one in Europe.
At time of registration, we give you an information note concerning the GR20. You need to fill in and sign this note ; it allows us to evaluate your level and form our guided groups. One of our moutain guide may contact you if he/she has doubts concerning your ability to complete the trek.
Terrain : it is uneven and very stony on long distances. Some short portions require easy scrambling and some one more exposed portion is equipped with chains to secure the hikers.
For who? For very experienced hikers with good physical shape. You must be used to hike several days in a row with big ascents and very poor accommodations comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are uncertain about your level.
| Day | Walking time | Ascent+ | Descent- | Km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4h00 | +810 | -410 | 6,7 km |
| 2 | 5h30 | +710 | -900 | 12,3 km |
| 3 | 4h30 | +630 | -210 | 8,4 km |
| 4 | 7h00 | +790 | -1240 | 14,5 km |
| 5 | 6h00 | +850 | -520 | 18,6 km |
| 6 | 5h00 | +220 | -890 | 15,3 km |
| 7 | 6h40 | +1220 | -710 | 11.8 km |
| 8 | 6h00 | +1170 | -130 | 12.6 km |
| 9 | 6h00 | +630 | -890 | 11.3 km |
| 10 | 5h30 | +350 | -550 | 13.8 km |
| 11 | 6h00 | +730 | -720 | 13.4 km |
| 12 | 8h00 | +1240 | -1200 | 8.9 km |
| 13 | 7h00 | +680 | -1530 | 9.6 km |
At time of registration, we give you an information note concerning the GR20. You need to fill in and sign this note ; it allows us to evaluate your level and form our guided groups. One of our moutain guide may contact you if he/she has doubts concerning your ability to complete the trek.
Terrain : it is uneven and very stony on long distances. Some short portions require easy scrambling and some one more exposed portion is equipped with chains to secure the hikers.
For who? For very experienced hikers with good physical shape. You must be used to hike several days in a row with big ascents and very poor accommodations comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are uncertain about your level.
Practical information
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Mountain huts, bivouac, lodge or shepherds' hut
GUIDING:
Self-guided
BAGGAGE:
Discover / Couleur Corse transfers your following baggage to accommodations accessible by car. For the other accommodations, you must have your sleeping bag and everything you need for the night and the next day in your rucksack.
DEPARTURE DATES:
Every Sunday from the end of May to mid-September
Possible departure on another date: +180€ / person
Mountain huts, bivouac, lodge or shepherds' hut
GUIDING:
Self-guided
BAGGAGE:
Discover / Couleur Corse transfers your following baggage to accommodations accessible by car. For the other accommodations, you must have your sleeping bag and everything you need for the night and the next day in your rucksack.
DEPARTURE DATES:
Every Sunday from the end of May to mid-September
Possible departure on another date: +180€ / person
Price
1590€ per person
This price includes:
- Pick-up charge from the meeting point in Ajaccio to the end of the trek in Calvi
- Transfers
- Full boards from day 1 for diner to day 13 after lunch
- Transfers of your luggage between the accommodations
- A road book with extracts of 1/25000 IGN maps
- Liability insurance
This price does not include:
- Beverages and personal expenses
- Transfers that are not in the program
- Guiding
- Cancellation and repatriation insurances
This price includes:
- Pick-up charge from the meeting point in Ajaccio to the end of the trek in Calvi
- Transfers
- Full boards from day 1 for diner to day 13 after lunch
- Transfers of your luggage between the accommodations
- A road book with extracts of 1/25000 IGN maps
- Liability insurance
This price does not include:
- Beverages and personal expenses
- Transfers that are not in the program
- Guiding
- Cancellation and repatriation insurances
Gallery
