In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationCorsica / South Corsica
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions67.42 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Considered the most beautiful trek in Europe , this high-mountain route traverses Corsica along its ridgeline. We offer a self-guided version where we handle all the logistics : booking accommodations and luggage transport are optional. All you have to do is focus on the effort! From the Aiguilles de Bavella to the Renoso massif, enjoy gentler terrain than in the north for a truly legendary adventure. With the support of our robust local logistics team, we offer both the southern and northern sections, which can be combined, in a self-guided format with a lighter pack.
The highlights
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The southern part of the GR20: the most accessible section of Europe's most difficult trek
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Full board
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Optional luggage transport by vehicle
Photos
Emilie - verified review - july 2024
Emilie - verified review - july 2024
Emilie - verified review - july 2024
Emilie - verified review - july 2024
Emilie - verified review - july 2024
Valérie - verified review - june 2024
Valérie - verified review - june 2024
Valérie - verified review - june 2024
Valérie - verified review - june 2024
Valérie - verified review - june 2024
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Doing the GR20 independently with us is reserved only for people in very good physical condition who already have experience of multi-day treks, capable of managing their hikes alone with all that this implies (determination, taste for effort, ability to manage their route, map reading and orientation, knowledge of weather, disregard for usual comfort, appropriate equipment...).
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that poorly prepared or informed clients increase the risk of abandoning the trek. Please note that while the GR20 is becoming increasingly popular, it remains the most challenging trek in Europe. Do not overestimate your abilities; do your research and prepare your trip properly!
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 643 m
- Average daily descent: 696 m
Management
The roadbook consists of:
- a day/day description
- copies of maps from the list of accommodations
On site, at your accommodation, you will be given: transfer vouchers, luggage route sheet, luggage tags, and the IGN map(s).
Program
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Ajaccio - Alta Rocca - Bavella
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 95km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Transfer to the Bavella pass, passing through the authentic villages of Alta Rocca. Check-in to your accommodation near Bavella.
Day 1 -
Bavella - Bavella Needles - Asinau
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 815 m
- Negative elevation 485 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Beautiful stage on the alpine variant of the GR 20, passing through the heart of the Aiguilles de Bavella and one by one bypassing the granite towers of Acellu, Ariettu, di a Vacca and Pargulu.
Day 2 -
Asinau - Monte Alcudina - Cuscionu
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 660 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short detour takes you to the summit of Monte Alcudina, which rises to 2134m. The panoramic view offers a taste of the hikes to come. Then, descend towards the Cuscione plateau. Follow the ridge to reach Bocca di Chiralba and then the sheepfolds of the same name. It's then time to enjoy the "Pianu" plateau, the largest in Corsica. A land of summer transhumance, this high plateau alternates between dry areas, beech forests, and pozzine (small ponds). You'll reach a sheepfold on the edge of the plateau to spend the night.
Day 3 -
Cuscionu - Pozzines - Usciolu
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 590 m
- Negative elevation 380 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll cross beautiful pozzines (small ponds) alongside a small river lined with ancient beech trees. Passing chapels and sheepfolds here and there before reaching "Bocca Agnone," you'll leave the Cuscione plateau and rejoin a ridge line. This traverse offers glimpses of the villages of the upper Taravo valley and the Tyrrhenian Sea before arriving at the Usciolu refuge.
Day 4 -
Usciolu - Taravo - Fiumorbu - Punta Capella - Col de Verde
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 770 m
- Negative elevation 1250 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
One of the most beautiful stages of the GR20. Leaving the Usciolu refuge, you continue your journey along the ridge between the Taravo and Fiumorbu valleys. The route passes at the foot of Monte Formicola before descending towards the Laparo pass. The scenery is constantly enchanting. You can see the sea and villages amidst some rather impressive granite formations. After passing Punta Capella and the Prati refuge (1830m), a long descent leads you to the Verde pass.
Day 5 -
Col de Verde - Renose Massif - Capanelle
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 710 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Leaving the Col de Verde pass, you'll head inland towards the gentler terrain. Fir, beech, and Laricio pine forests will be your companions for a peaceful and relaxing day of hiking. You'll have ample time to admire this endemic pine (Laricio), a source of pride for Corsican forestry. In the shade of the beech trees, the trail follows the contours of the eastern slope of the Renoso massif. Towards the end of the day, a challenging climb awaits, requiring careful management to reach the Traghjette sheepfolds and then Capanelle.
Day 6 -
Capanelle - Bocca Palmente - Vizzavona
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 320 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
The GR20 trail leaves Capanelle and, without gaining or losing significant altitude, leads you to Bocca Palmente. At the pass, the view is exceptional: to the west, the imposing massifs of Monte d'Oro and Rotondu; to the east, the Ghisoni forest, the eastern plain, and its ponds. You will soon reach the Vizzavona forest, which you will follow throughout this pleasant descent in the shade of the beech trees. At the end of the stage, you will reach Vizzavona train station, where you can take the train to Ajaccio (not included).
Day 7
Accommodation
- Day 1: Gîte - dormitories for 6 to 8 people - hot showers and toilets
- Day 5: Gîte - 12-person dormitory in a chalet - hot shower and toilet
Accommodation on the GR 20 is quite basic, but that's part of the adventure . Generally, you sleep in shared dormitories in refuges managed by the PNRC or in private sheepfolds.
For some nights in a tent, we provide you with a Quechua 2 seconds type tent for 2 to 3 people with a self-inflating mattress at each bivouac site.
- Day 2: Sheepfolds - 2 dormitories with 12 beds each - cold shower and toilet
- Day 3: Sheepfolds - dormitory with 12 to 24 beds - tents possible - hot shower and toilet
- Day 4: PNRC refuge (old refuge) - tents - cold shower and toilets
- Day 6: Traghjette sheepfolds - dormitory for 4 to 8 people - hot shower and toilet
Accommodation on the GR 20 is quite basic, but that's part of the adventure . Generally, you sleep in shared dormitories in refuges managed by the PNRC or in private sheepfolds.
For some nights in a tent, we provide you with a Quechua 2 seconds type tent for 2 to 3 people with a self-inflating mattress at each bivouac site.
Access
The transfer from Ajaccio to Bavella on the first day is included in the stay.
Go to the starting point
🚌 Airport shuttles – train station
Price details
The price includes
- 6 nights in a mountain refuge/sheepfold and/or tent
- Full board
- The transfer from Ajaccio to Bavella, D1
- The roadbook
- 24/7 support
The price does not include
- Transport to the starting point
- Transfer from Vizzavona to Ajaccio on day 7 (allow €15 per person)
- Site visits
- Meals on Day 1 (excluding dinner) and dinner on Day 7
Options
- Luggage transfer : CHF73.18 / person
- Luggage transfer, departure on another day : CHF219.55 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
For nights spent camping, we provide the necessary equipment (tent, sleeping mat).
Equipment to bring
- A pouch to wear around your neck or on your belt for your passport and/or identity card, your driving licence, your vaccination record, your European Health Insurance Card, your travel insurance leaflet, your currency, your credit card and your personal papers.
- Plastic bags to ensure the watertightness of your belongings, cameras and clothes.
- Dirty laundry bag
- Earplugs, always useful!
- Notepad and pen, book, deck of cards,
- Walking sticks.
- Pair of binoculars,
- Camera,
- Gaiters (may be useful)
- survival blanket,
- Mobile phone,
- Comfort sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees (WARNING: no blankets in the mountain huts),
- Sleeping bag liner,
- Toiletry bag,
- Bath towel,
- Pair of sunglasses,
- Sunscreen cream (face and lips),
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries,
- A 1.5-liter minimum water bottle, lightweight and insulated. You can also bring a 2-liter hydration bladder. The latter has the advantage of allowing direct drinking thanks to its drinking tube. You therefore don't have to take off your backpack to grab the bottle. This way, you drink more regularly and in small amounts, which is recommended for proper hydration.
Tip: Having two containers allows you to consume one while the other is being processed.
- A multi-purpose pocket knife is preferable (to be packed in checked baggage if you are flying).
- Toilet paper and a lighter,
- Hygienic gel
Clothing to bring
Clothing, from head to toe:
- Hiking boots. They are a hiker's best friend. They must possess three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-top boots), and waterproofing. Choose boots with non-slip and relatively rigid soles, such as Vibram.
- Light shoes (tennis shoes or sandals) to wear in the evening in towns and villages.
- Swimming shoes,
- Underwear. It's the first layer of insulation you'll have, so take good care of it! Thin technical fibers, like Carline or Polartec, are very effective, warm, flexible, comfortable, and lightweight. They dry very quickly.
- Hiking pants,
- Shorts,
- Fleece jackets. These are durable, warm, lightweight, and quick-drying. The most suitable, well-known to mountaineers, are those made with Polartec, Carline, and Ulfrotté fibers.
- T-shirts (technical preferred),
- Rain cape or waterproof jacket (Gore-tex type),
- Hat,
- Pair of gloves and hat (depending on the season),
- Swimsuit and bath towel,
They traveled with us
