Tour Overview
The Grand Randonnee (GR) 20 is considered to be Europe's most challenging long-distance walking trail. Established in 1972 the route traverses the interior of Corsica for 200km, crossing granite mountains and rugged alpine terrain with opportunities to view stunning snowcapped peaks. The outstanding feature of the walk is the diversity of terrain, from lush forests of pine and beech to narrow trails through towering pinnacles, to high windswept plateaus. On some stages you will be required to climb ladders and scramble steep rock to ascend the granite passes, however the 360 degree views are worth the effort. At night enjoy the warm hospitality of the gîtes d’etapes or mountain refuges where like-minded walkers can share their experiences of the day. This trip is an ideal challenge for fit walkers with map reading skills and good outdoor experience in mountainous terrain but is unsuitable for vertigo sufferers. Stunning gorges and alpine lakes are included in this challenging hike from Calvi in the north of Corsica to Vizzavona near the centre of the island.
Note: for safety reasons this trip cannot be operated for one person / solo traveller. Minimum two people required. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Calvi, transfer to Calenzana and walk to Bonifatu (4.5hrs)
Location: Calvi
Accommodation Name: gite
The trip begins in Calvi from where you will have a morning (9am) transfer organised to Calenzana. This little village, surrounded by olive trees, is where the hike begins. (We suggest buying picnic supplies in Calvi before setting out). The walk today is spectacular, with several river crossings as well as magnificent viewpoints of the typical towns of the Balagne region. It is an excellent warm up for the GR20 offering superb views of coastal Corsica.Overnight gite. Double room option possible* Distance: 11km/6.9mi, + 700m/2297ft, - 450m/1476ftWe can assist with booking your pre-tour accommodation in Calvi on request - please ask for details. ...more ...less
Day 2 : To Haut Asco (8-8.5hrs)
Location: Monte Cinto
Accommodation Name: gite
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will leave Bonifatu for one of the longest days of the trek. You will cross several rivers before reaching the famous footbridge of Spasimata, which is 30m long and is suspended above a waterfall that has the honour of being on many postcards of the GR20. The trail takes you to the Valley of the Muvrella and its small lake. The viewpoints are numerous and are particularly impressive from the passes. You will arrive at the foot of Monte Cinto, the highest summit of Corsica, where you will spend the night. Overnight gite. Double room option possible*Distance: 9.5km/6mi, + 1300m/4265ft, - 598m/1962ft
Day 3 : To the sheepfolds of Vallone (8.5hrs)
Location: Monte Cintu
Accommodation Name: tent
Meals Included: Dinner
As the Cirque de la Solitude has been closed to the public since 2015, you will cross the Great Barrier Reef via Monte Cintu and through the Pointe des Éboulis. From Bocca Minuta, you descend to the small valley of Straciaconne where you may have the chance to observe mouflons (the wild sheep). Dinner is at the shepherd hut in Vallone, an ideal setting with the backdrop of a starry sky for the night.Overnight: tent.Distance: 9km/5.59mi, + 1200m/3936ft, - 800m/2625ftNote: carry your overnight gear as your main luggage is not available on this day - it is transferred Haut Asco to the accommodation in Verghio.
Day 4 : On to Verghio (6-6.5hrs)
Location: Corsica
Accommodation Name: gite
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. Your setting for the day is the valley of the Niolu, located at the heart of the island. You walk past the foot ofone of the most beautiful summits in Corsica, the Paglia Orba and the strange Capu Tafunatu. When the weather is good, there is a stunning viewpoint over the gulf of Porto before descending into the small valley of the Golo. The shepherd’s hut of Radule and a series of natural pools punctuate your walk towards the forest and the Castel di Verghio.Overnight gite. Double room option possible*Distance: 14km/8.69mi, + 970m/3186ft, - 1015m/3337ftNote: luggage transfers are not available to the refuges (next 3 nights) - your luggage will delivered to the accommodation in Vizzavona. You need to carry your gear required in your rucksack.
Day 5 : To Manganu Refuge (7.5hrs)
Location: Corsica
Accommodation Name: tent
This morning pass Bocca San Pedru between the sky and the sea. Then 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 mountains. Bordered by its pozzines (mountain waterhole), Lake Nino welcomes a herd of wild horses.Overnight: tent (near the refuge)Distance: 16km/9.94mi, + 869m/2851ft, - 689m/2260ftNote: no luggage transfer days 5-7 and no access to your main luggage, carry your overnight needs in your rucksack. Your main luggage is transferred Verghio to Vizzavona.
Day 6 : Continue to Petra Piana refuge (6hrs)
Location: Corsica
Accommodation Name: tent
Streams and rocky bars follow one another before you reach a plateau of pozzines. Then the Capitellu breach will offer you a breathtaking view of the Melu and Capitellu lakes. After some effort to reach Bocca Muzella (2206m), you will descend to reach a small plateau where the Petra Piana refuge is located.Note meals are not included at this refuge - all are payable locally.Overnight: tent (near the refuge)Distance: 8.5km/5.28mi, + 670m/2198ft, - 465m/1526ftNote: no luggage transfer
Day 7 : A panoramic walk to l'Onda (5hrs)
Location: Ajaccio
Accommodation Name: tent
A rather short, aerial and panoramic stage between the massifs of Monte Rotondo and Monte d'Oro. Be careful however as there are some tricky passages in strong winds! On a clear day, you will have the chance to see the Gulf of Ajaccio.Meals are not included at this refuge - all are payable locally.Overnight: tent (near the refuge)Distance: 7km/4.34mi, + 560m/1837ft, - 965m/3166ftNote: no luggage transfer
Day 8 : Through the magical Agnone valley to Vizzavona (6.5hrs)
Location: Vizzavona
Accommodation Name: gite
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 there is a multitude of small waterfalls and streams. Between forest and the clinking of water, you will make your way towards Vizzavona. Your luggage will be at the gite waiting your arrival. Overnight: giteDistance: 10km/6.2mi,+ 630m/2067ft, - 1140m/3740ft
Day 9 : Trip concludes
Location: Vizzavona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip concludes in Vizzavona after breakfast
What's Included
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Accommodation
gites/refuges -
5 breakfasts – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. 4 picnic lunches – they generally consist of sandwiches, salads, fruits, vegetables – depending on what products are available. 5 dinners – will
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8 nights accommodation: 4 nights in gîtes d’etapes (dormitories), 4 nights in tents (near the mountain refuges). *Note that there is an option to have a double room in gites on some nights - a supplement applies. This option must be requested at the time
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Luggage transfers: Calenzana - Bonifatu - Haut Asco - Verghio - Vizzavona - max 15kg and one piece of luggage per person. Note there is no luggage transfer to Vallone (day 3) or to the refuges (day 5-6-7) - you need to carry your gear required in your ru
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Information pack - smartphone app with maps and route book
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Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana on day 1 by taxi
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona
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Luggage transfer on days 3 & 5-7
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Meals not listed as included - all meals at the refuges to be paid locally, drinks
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Special diets ie gluten free or lactose free cannot be catered for. You would need to bring your own food supplies (discount applies)
What's Not Included
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Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona
Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona is not included.
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Meals not listed as included
All meals at the refuges are to be paid on the spot, drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Storage of excess luggage and parking
Storage of excess luggage and parking is not included.
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Transfers and alternative accommodation in bad weather
Transfers and alternative accommodation which may be required in the event of bad weather are not included.
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Tour guide
This is a self-guided walking holiday, so a tour guide is not included.
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Optional set of IGN maps
An optional set of IGN maps (x6) is available for a supplement, must be prebooked and prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica). This is as a backup to the navigational app only.
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Sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is required and not included. Sleeping mats are provided in the tents.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
Accommodation
gites
efuges
During the trip you will have four nights in gîtes d’étapes (in mixed sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms - option to upgrade to double room on some nights* must be requested at time of booking).
Four nights will be spent in a tent (2-person) - in Vallone and at the refuges - a sleeping bag is required (sleeping mats are provided).
Please be aware that facilities will be basic and normally on a shared basis. Hot showers should be available each night, but water may be limited due to high demand.
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Grading
GRADE 5 - This trip requires a good to excellent level of fitness and you should be an experienced hiker, comfortable in alpine terrains through varying weather conditions. It is a requirement of participation that you are able to orient yourself in mountains with a map scaled to 1/25000th. The trip involves 4.5 to 8.5 hiking hours per day on sometimes difficult trails.
The route is the hardest long distance trail in Europe. Certain sections need to be scaled using ladders, bridges and chains. There is much rock scrambling and ascents are up to 1400 metres and very steep in parts. There are sections throughout which would not be suitable for sufferers of vertigo.
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What You Carry
On days 2,4 & 8, as the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc. On days 3, 5,6 & 7 you need to carry all gear required for the day as well as your overnight stays including your sleeping bag. ...more ...less
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes four nights in gîtes d’étapes, which are mixed-sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms. There is an option to upgrade to a double room on some nights if requested at the time of booking. Additionally, four nights will be spent in a 2-person tent at Vallone and the refuges, where a sleeping bag is required. ...more ...less
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Are luggage transfers available throughout the entire tour?
Luggage transfers are provided between Calenzana, Bonifatu, Haut Asco, Verghio, and Vizzavona, with a maximum of 15 kg and one piece of luggage per person. However, there is no luggage transfer to Vallone on day 3 or to the refuges on days 5-7, so you will need to carry your gear required in your rucksack on those days. ...more ...less
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour includes 5 continental breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, and 5 dinners. Meals at the refuges are not included and must be paid for on the spot.
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Is a tour guide provided during the hike?
No, this is a self-guided walking holiday, so a tour guide is not included.
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What should I carry during the hike?
On days 2, 4, and 8, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements such as wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone. On days 3, 5, 6, and 7, you need to carry all gear required for the day as well as your overnight stays, including your sleeping bag. ...more ...less
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What is the difficulty level of the GR20 North tour?
The GR20 North tour is graded as challenging, requiring a good to excellent level of fitness. Participants should be experienced hikers comfortable in alpine terrains through varying weather conditions. The route is considered the hardest long-distance trail in Europe, with sections that require scaling using ladders, bridges, and chains, and involves much rock scrambling.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Corsica GR20 North
9 Days Starting in Calvi and ending in Vizzavona
Visiting: Calvi, Monte Cinto, Monte Cintu, Corsica, Ajaccio, Vizzavona
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GRN
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
