Corsica GR20 South
Corsica GR20 South
Corsica GR20 South
8 Days Starting in Vizzavona, France and ending in Conca, France
Visiting: Vizzavona, Corsica, Cuscione Plateau, Bavella, Conca
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GRS
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Trip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Camping, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the Corsica GR20 South tour, a self-guided walking holiday through the stunning southern section of the famous GR20 trail in France. Experience the breathtaking landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and the warm hospitality of local accommodation providers as you traverse from Vizzavona to Conca. Enjoy the freedom of traveling light with all logistics taken care of, including luggage transfers and a digital information pack. Stay in dormitory-style gîtes d'étapes or refuges, and savor continental breakfasts and picnic lunches. This challenging trek promises encounters with shepherds, fellow hikers, and the majestic beauty of Corsica's natural wonders.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Vizzavona
Location: Vizzavona
Accommodation Name: gîte or refuge
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Vizzavona. In the heart of the GR20 and surrounded by beech and Laricio pine forest, this hamlet is a haven for hikers. Dinner and overnight at the gîte or refuge (according to availability at the time of booking).
Day 2 : Walk From Vizzavona To Capanelle Via Bocca Palmente (6Hrs)
Location: Vizzavona
Accommodation Name: gîte
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
A long first day beginning at the Pass of Vizzavona and climbing to Bocca Palmente. In the heart of the forest of Vizzavona, you will cross several watercourses to reach Bocca Palmente where the views over the lakes of Diana and Urbino are fantastic. Next, after passing the crest, you will encounter several sheepfolds and the hut of Alzeta before finally arriving at the sheepfolds of Capanelle where you will spend the night in a gîte.
Approximate ascent 1155m/3789ft, descent 715m/2346ft
Day 3 : To The Pass Of Verde Via The Plateau Of Gialgone (5Hrs)
Location: Corsica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
From Capanelle, you will make your way to the sheepfolds of Traghjete before reaching the Plateau of Gialgone. You will cross the footbridge of I Spiazzi under which you can have a swim. You will then descend, shaded by the majestic Corsican pine trees, before arriving at the Pass of Verde (Col de Verde).
Approximate ascent 600m/1969ft, descent 900m/2953ft.
Day 4 : Ascend To Prati Refuge For Scenic Views, Continue Walking To Cozzano (8Hrs)
Location: Corsica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You will begin today's walk with an ascent to the Bocca del Orro and 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 you reach the crest, towards the Taravo and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the eastern slope and, weather permitting, as far as the island of Elba. Next, you will descend through the forest of St Antoine towards the village of Cozzano, in the heart of Corsica.
Approximate ascent 750m/2475ft, descent 1300m/4290ft.
Day 5 : To The Sheepfolds Of Basseta (6.5Hrs)
Location: Cuscione Plateau
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Get an early start today as you climb towards Bocca Di l’Usciolu. After almost 1000m uphill you will reach the highest point of the walk then enter into a forest where the alder trees are more than 100 years old. The path finally descends and the vegetation becomes denser. After crossing a stream, you will arrive at the plateau of Cuscione and the sheep pastures of Basseta.
Approximate ascent 910m/2986ft, descent 505m/1657ft. In the case of bad weather there is an alternative route which also takes about 6 hours, with ascent of 887m/2910ft and descent of 483m/1585ft.
Day 6 : A Superb Trek On The High Route To Bavella (9Hrs)
Location: Bavella
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This is the longest and hardest day, but the end of this superb trek is in sight. After a
passage in the forest, you will cross a footbridge to continue through former sheepfolds towards Monte Incudine (2000m). From here you will descend to Asinau to reach your final destination, Bavella and its famous “Aiguilles” (or “needles”), which dominate the landscape of the Alta Rocca. There couldn’t be a more fantastic place to finish today's memorable walk.
You can alternatively follow the softer classical way through forests, dense shrubs and springs. The plateau of the Cuscione offers a gentler terrain with its grazing lands and pozzines (a type of peat bogs).
Via the high route: ascent 1300m/4265ft, descent 1400m/4593ft.
The alternative route: ascent 982m/3221ft, descent 1100m/3609ft
Day 7 : The Last Stage To Conca (7Hrs)
Location: Conca
Meals Included: Breakfast
The start of the day is along 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 essence of the maquis. The end of this great adventure is approaching ... On arrival in Conca, you can pose proudly next to the sign marking the end of the GR20!
+450m, -1400m
Day 8 : Trip Concludes In Conca
Location: Conca
Meals Included: Breakfast
End of services after breakfast. From Conca, you can easily take a shuttle to Porto Vecchio, then a bus to Bastia or Ajaccio. For bus information and timetables see www.corsicabus.org. Or contact us if you need a transfer (fee applies).
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in dormitory style 'gîtes d'etapes' or refuges -
7 breakfasts
Continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices.
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6 picnic lunches
Included from day 2 to day 6 and generally consist of sandwiches, salads, fruits, and vegetables.
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7 nights in dormitory style 'gîtes d'étapes' or refuges
Accommodation in mixed sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms. Hot showers should be available at each accommodation, but water may be limited due to high demand.
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Luggage Transfer
1 piece maximum 15kg.
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Digital information pack
Smartphone app with maps and route book.
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Emergency hotline
Access to an emergency hotline for assistance.
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Travel to Vizzavona and from Conca
Transportation to the starting point in Vizzavona and from the endpoint in Conca.
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Storage of excess luggage and parking
Facilities for storing excess luggage and parking.
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Transfers and alternative accommodation in the event of bad weather
Arrangements for transfers and alternative accommodation if required due to bad weather.
What's Not Included
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Tour guide
This is a self-guided trip.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Special diets
Special diets such as gluten-free or lactose-free cannot be catered for.
You would need to bring your own food supplies (discount applies). -
Items of a personal nature
Personal items are not included.
Accommodation
7 nights in dormitory style 'gîtes d'étapes' or refuges. During the trip you will be accommodated in gîtes d'étape (mixed sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms). Please be aware that facilities will be basic and normally on a shared basis (except in hotels). Hot showers should be available at each accommodation, but water may be limited due to high demand.
Grading
CHALLENGING– 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 5 to 9 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.
Although the southern section is less technical the route is just as challenging with the walk on day 6 being the most challenging day on the whole GR20 in terms of length and terrain.
What You Carry
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.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Vizzavona and from Conca is included. Transfers and alternative accommodation may be required in the event of bad weather. Storage of excess luggage and parking are also provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
During the trip, you will be accommodated in dormitory-style 'gîtes d'étape' or refuges. These are mixed-sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms. Facilities will be basic and normally on a shared basis, except in hotels. Hot showers should be available at each accommodation, but water may be limited due to high demand.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 continental breakfasts, which usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices. Additionally, 6 picnic lunches are included from day 2 to day 6, generally consisting of sandwiches, salads, fruits, and vegetables, depending on what is available.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is provided. You are allowed to transfer one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 15kg.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, a water bottle, a warm top, and a phone.
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Is travel insurance required for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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Are there any dietary restrictions that cannot be catered for?
Special diets such as gluten-free or lactose-free cannot be catered for. You would need to bring your own food supplies, and a discount applies in such cases.
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What is the difficulty level of this tour?
This tour is graded as challenging (Grade 5). It requires a good to excellent level of fitness and you should be an experienced hiker, comfortable in alpine terrains through varying weather conditions. The route is the hardest long-distance trail in Europe, with certain sections needing to be scaled using ladders, bridges, and chains. There is much rock scrambling, and ascents are up to 1400 meters and very steep in parts.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided walking holiday. A digital information pack, including a smartphone app with maps and a route book, is provided.
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What happens if there is bad weather during the tour?
Transfers and alternative accommodation may be required in the event of bad weather. These are included in the tour.
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What happens at the end of the tour in Conca?
The tour concludes in Conca after breakfast. From Conca, you can easily take a shuttle to Porto Vecchio, then a bus to Bastia or Ajaccio. For bus information and timetables, you can visit www.corsicabus.org. Alternatively, you can contact the tour provider if you need a transfer, though a fee applies.
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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.