Immerse yourself in the unspoilt nature of the island and experience the fascination of the GR20 long-distance hiking trail that crosses the Corsican mountains from Calenzana to Conca. With our many years of experience and passion for trekking, we offer you unforgettable experiences on one of the most challenging routes in Europe. Hike with us, either as a self-guided tour or in a guided hiking group. This trail is one of Corsica's great must-do walks.
The GR20 is a long hiking trail that crosses Corsica from north to south via the crests. In Corsican, it is called "Fra li Monti" (Through the mountains). The GR20 is a renowned trek, considered to be one of the most demanding and beautiful mountain routes in the world. It stretches for 180 km and has a total vertical drop of 12,000 metres. It can be completed in 16 days, or even less for the more athletic. The route can be divided into 2 parts: the North, between Calenzana and Vizzavona, and the South, between Vizzavona and Conca. The GR20 is conceived as a mountain hike requiring excellent physical condition and the ability to walk on uneven terrain. Underestimating its difficulty could put you in a tricky or even dangerous situation.
The seventies were a period of transition for Corsica, marked by a rise in nationalist, environmental and cultural demands. The ambitious idea of tracing a route across the major peaks of Corsica from north to south was the brainchild of Michel Fabrickant, a mountaineer with a passion for the island. It was at this time that the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse came into being, on 15 May 1972, and the GR20 was inaugurated.
It was from the 1990s onwards that the GR20 truly gained international renown, becoming one of the most prestigious treks in the world. While there are several factors behind this success, the emergence of hiking as a popular leisure activity is the main one. This success can also be attributed to the pioneers of hiking in Corsica, as well as to the first associations that promoted and marketed the discipline. The recognition of this activity as a profitable economic lever in the mountains has accelerated its professionalisation at various levels, with the training of guides and hut wardens.
Today, the popularity of this trek attracts thousands of hikers from all over the world every year. The GR20 is even synonymous with records for some. At certain times, the GR20 can be a victim of its own success, with low-capacity refuges overcrowded. This growing popularity also raises environmental concerns. The introduction of a system for regulating bookings by the Corsican Natural Park's central office is helping to manage the flow of visitors more effectively. As an agency specialising in this route, we have developed a number of formulas to ensure that large groups do not take the route both during the walk and in the evening, particularly during the stages when it is very busy.
Corsica Aventure has been offering treks on the GR20 for both individuals and groups for many years. We are specialized in GR20 hiking, and our GR20 treks have been specially recommended in the Rough Guide to Ultimate Adventures.
Thanks to our constant presence on site, our in-depth knowledge of the terrain and all the service providers, we can offer you a range of packages tailored to your needs. Whether it's managing hut bookings, transporting luggage or guiding hikers on the GR20, our specialist agency will take care of all the organisation on site. Spectacular scenery and an unforgettable experience are reserved for those who are prepared to do a really serious trekking challenge.
Find out more about our expertise.
The GR20 is one of those trails where the length of the route can vary considerably from hiker to hiker. As a guide, to complete the classic route in its entirety, i.e. 180 kilometres, you generally need to allow 14 to 15 days' walking time. Stages vary between 10 and 15 kilometres, with walking times ranging from 5 to 8 hours. Given the unevenness of some of the stages in terms of distance and altitude difference, it is possible to reduce the total duration by doubling some of the stages, but this requires you to be in excellent physical condition.
For a classic formula in a gîte or refuge with full board (accommodation + evening meal + breakfast + picnic), allow on average :
For more comfortable hotel accommodation, expect to pay around €180 per day with a guide
Both parts of the trail can be walked in either direction. It is generally advisable to walk the trail from south to north. This is because the first stages in the south allow hikers to acclimatise gradually, whereas starting in the north offers a steeper start.
The GR20 North, stretching from Calenzana to Vizzavona, is generally perceived as more arduous than the South, as it passes through more technical and rugged areas.
The GR20 South, running from Vizzavona to Conca, is widely regarded as easier, although its scenery is often considered less spectacular.
From the beginning of May to the end of September, we offer several versions of the GR20, with different levels of difficulty, either in its entirety over 2 weeks, or just the southern or northern part. For those looking for more comfort, we also offer hotel stays, so you can tackle this route in the best possible conditions.
We offer a guided version of the full GR20 where you walk in a small group, supervised by a mountain leader specialising in the GR20 on set dates. For all other tours, we can create a tailor-made tour to suit your expectations, wishes and schedule.
You choose your departure date. Minimum 2 people for safety reasons. You walk with the Corsica Aventure app. Several options to choose from.
Depending on your project and your budget, we'll draw up a completely personalised version of the GR20. We'll advise you on the route that's best suited to your level of ability and advise you on the various accommodation and logistical options.
Depending on the holiday you choose, you may have access to your luggage every evening or only a few times during the week.
For our self-guided GR20 itineraries, we provide you with GPS route integrated into our guidance application. Our application allows GR20 hikers to easily find their way around the trails and learn about the mountain environment.
During your journey, you can stay in refuges or gîtes. At certain stages, sheepfolds will also offer you shelter for the night. It is important to note that sleeping in tents is only permitted in the bivouac areas around the refuges.
If you stray slightly from the GR20, you can find more comfortable accommodation, and even small hotels in some villages close to the route.
The Pointe des Eboulis (2,600 m): during the stage from Asco Stagnu to Tighjettu, the GR20 passes by the Pointe des Eboulis, which lies below the summit of Monte Cintu, the highest point on the island.
Lac de Nino: this is a magnificent glacial lake nestling in the heart of lush green meadows. It lies between the Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu refuges.
La Brèche de Capitello: a must between the Manganu and Petra Piana refuges. The Brèche de Capitello or Bocca alle Porte is one of the highest points on the GR20, at an altitude of 2,200 metres.
Lakes of Melo and Capitello: two glacial lakes bordered by steep rocky terrain, they lie beneath the Breche de Capitello.
Monte d'Oro: the twelfth highest peak on the island. It lies between the Onda refuge and the Col de Vizzavona.
Alcudina (2314): the highest mountain in southern Corsica. It offers breathtaking views over the Cuscionu plateau. It lies between the Usciolu and Asinao refuges.
The Aiguilles de Bavella: towering over the Col de Bavella at an altitude of 1,218 metres, they are one of Corsica's most photographed landscapes. These impressive cliffs lie between the Asinao and Paliri refuges.
Undertaking the GR20 is not something to be done lightly. To succeed, you need to choose a route suited to your physical level. Several routes are possible: some stages can be doubled, while others can be split in two. Access to follower luggage can also make the route easier. We offer a range of routes, both sporting and moderate, with stages ranging from 8 to 5 hours depending on the route.
The GR20 can be walked from the end of May to the end of September. In the northern part, it is possible to encounter numerous snow-covered sections until early July. The best time to walk the GR20 is from June to September. At the end of June, the trail is most popular. July and August, on the other hand, are the quietest months. The weeks straddling the two months are the least busy.
The main difficulty of the GR20 is its rugged terrain, with rocky paths, inclined slabs, unstable stones, scree and slippery passages. Some sections of the trail are also vertiginous, which can pose a problem for hikers sensitive to aerial passages. The effort is increased by the weight of the rucksacks and by the heat, particularly on certain stages exposed to the sun.
Denis
Guide
The GR20 will teach you that the real wealth lies in the experiences you have, the friends you meet along the way and the memories that will last a lifetime.
Equipment, training, budget, difficulties, variations... find out all the useful information you need to prepare your trek!
In the traditional sense, the start of the GR20 is at Calenzana, near Calvi in the north of the island. It is also possible to start at Vizzavona to cover the southern part of the trail. If you choose to walk the GR20 in the opposite direction, i.e. from south to north, the start is at Conca, near Porto-Vecchio.
The end of the GR20, in its classic north-south form, is in Conca, at the southernmost tip of Corsica. From here, you can take a shuttle to Porto-Vecchio, where regular bus connections are available. If you're only doing the GR20 North, then your journey will end in Vizzavona.
In its entirety, the GR20 is 180 kilometres long. In the North-South direction, you will cover an average of between 10 and 15 kilometres a day.
The easiest sections are in the south of the route, between the Col de Vizzavona and the Col de Verde. These are rolling stages with good forest tracks.
The total ascent on the GR20 hike is between 12,500 and 13,000 metres. On average, you will cover around 820 metres of ascent per day. Some of the stages are particularly demanding, such as the one from Calenzana to Ortu di u Piobbu with a positive difference in altitude of +1299m, or from Ascu Stagnu to Tighjettu with +1225m.
It all depends on where you start from and which direction you choose for the GR20. For a route from Calenzana to Conca, you can leave your car at the Calenzana municipal car park. The village gîte d'étape also offers parking nearby. Depending on your route, we can advise you on the most suitable place to leave your vehicle in our data sheets.
It is above all the nature of the terrain that complicates progress for hikers on the GR20. Good paths are rare. The terrain is made up of boulders that you have to pass between. On the GR20, there are many smooth, steep granite slabs. There are frequent ridge crossings; this is high mountain terrain with scree, chimneys and steep mineral slopes with little grass.
Calvi is the nearest airport to Calenzana, and it takes around 20 minutes by taxi to get there. Bastia is 1? hours from the start of the GR20, and there is a train to Calvi from there. It's also possible to get to Ajaccio and the start of the GR20 by train. If you are starting your GR20 from the south, then Figari is the best option. Corsica's 4 airports are linked by a scheduled bus service, so whichever airport you choose, you'll be able to reach your starting point on the GR20, but it will take you more or less time depending on the route you take.