A guided version of the complete route of the mythical GR20 accompanied by an English speaking guide. 

Walk the complete GR20 in Corsica with a guide, the finest and most probably the hardest mountain hiking route in Europe, this is a classic trek rising from the Mediterranean sea, with granite peaks soaring to over 2600m. Corsica is known as 'the Mountain in the sea'. Over the course of 14 days we will cover a total of 180km of mountainous terrain, with approx 12,000m altitude ascent and descent, this is the entire GR20 route, from Conca in the South to Calenzana in the north. For the Southern half of the trek you have access to your bags everynight, for the Northern half, you will need to carry overnight gear. You need to be fit and ready to walk this most challenging hike.

Highlights

  • The complete route from  Conca to Calenzana
  • English speaking guide
  • Access to follow on bag 
  • Point to point  -  13 days walking
  • Start in Bastia and end in Calvi 
Duration
15 days/ 14 nights
Comfort
Dormitory
Bivouacs / Tents
Type of holidays
Hiking-Walking
Accesses
Calvi / Ile Rousse
Bastia
Level
4 - Tough
Carrying
Lightened pack

Itinerary

Day 1

Bastia to Conca

This holiday starts on a Saturday in Bastia, the first grouped transfer will take you directly up to Conca, where you check into your first accommodation. Conca is the first stop at the start of the GR20, the journey takes approximately 2h30. Time to settle into the gite before the evening meal with the group, night in the gite at Conca. 

Night
Night in Conca
Day 2

Conca to Bavella

This first day is really hard and a good introduction to the pace and the challenge ahead. The trail leads uphill from the village of Conca, we take your overnight gear on to the next night stop so you don’t have to carry it. The GR20 follows the traces of an ancient transhumance route through the rocky landscape of pines and granite blocks. The route continues to the Paliri refuge at just over 1000m altitude, then crosses the Finosa col before arriving at the hamlet of Bavella below the mighty Bavella needles. Access to bags. 

Night
Night in Bavella
Distance
18 km
Duration
7h30
Ascent / descent
+1500 m / -530 m
Day 3

Bavella to Cuscionu Plateau

Today is a challenging day from the high mountain pass, the Col de Bavella, before dawn you take the trail that is called the Alpine variant. It leads steeply uphill before passing at the base of several granite pinnacles. You plunge down into the valley before following an easy trail through the woods towards Asinao refuge before heading steeply up to the magnificent ridge line of Monte Alcudina, with the summit at 2134m altitude. You leave the high ground and head down towards the famous Cuscione plateau. This is the largest plateau on the island. Your night stop is a shepherd’s cabin situated on the edge of the plateau. Access to bags.

Night
Night on Cuscionu plateau
Distance
14 km
Duration
8h30
Ascent / descent
+1350 m / -1025 m
Day 4

Cuscionu plateau to Cozzano

Today you pick up the trail on the plateau and cross the wide open green pasture with it’s streams and little water holes. You make your way uphill through an age old forest of dwarf oak trees up to the Col de l’Agnone. From here, you start possibly one of the best ridge walks, it is very exposed, the trail is ambitious and it is hard to imagine that there is a way through. The granite has been wonderfully sculpted by the elements and the decor is awesome. The trail topples back and forth over the ridge, to one side then the other. At the end of the day we drop down to the village of Cozzano, a hive of activity in the heart of the mountains. Access to bags. 

Night
Night in Cozzano
Distance
18 km
Ascent / descent
+575 m / -1380 m
Duration
8h00
Day 5

Cozzano to Col de Verde

This walk has some really special scenery with great views. From the refuge you continue along the ridge that separates the valley of Taravo and the Fiumorbu. The trail plunges down towards the Col de Laparo. You will pass the GR refuge, Prati (1820m) it is worth stopping to enjoy the airy rooftop views of the island and enjoy the lush, spongy fresh ground. It is sometimes possible to see the islands of Elba and Monte Cristo. The descent winds rapidly down in and out of the forest to your destination at the Col de Verde. (1289m). Access to bags. 

Night
Night at Col de Verde
Duration
7h30
Ascent / descent
+1400 m / -850 m
Distance
19 km
Day 6

Col de Verde to Vizzavona

The trail undulates gently today and mainly contours through a forest of pine trees. These majestic tall straight lariccio pines with a silvery smooth bark are very much a symbol of the island. Today's walk is essentially traversing the flanks of the dominating mountain, the Monte Renosu. You continue to Bocca Palmente 1640m, from where on a clear day the views are exceptional, the looming massifs of the Monte d’Oro and the Rotondu tower above. You drop down into a thick forest of pine and beech trees for a relaxing descent, the trail loops back and forth lacing down to Vizzavona (920m) the midway point of the GR20. Access to bags.

Night
Night in Vizzavona
Distance
27 km
Duration
7h30
Ascent / descent
+1575 m / -1450 m
Day 7

Vizzavona to Petra Piana

Today is  the first two stages of the northern section of the GR20. You embark either on a steady ascent to the Brêche de Muratellu (2100m). The path leads alongside the Cascade des Anglais up to Muratellu, affording stunning views of the Monte Rotondu, The high level route follows the ridge, via the summit of Pinzi Corbini (2021m), to Petra Piana refuge (1840m).  This is a short but challenging ridge section, steep and exposed.  In bad weather there is an alternative lower valley option that will be taken direct to Petra Piana. Tonight you camp in the vicinity of Petra Piana refuge. (1840m / 6037ft). No access to bags. 

Night
Night in Petra Piana
Distance
20 km
Duration
9h00
Ascent / descent
+1800 m / -510 m
Day 8

Petra Piana to Camputile plateau

From Petra Piana a short uphill section takes you to the high ridge above the refuge. The trail is rocky, almost lunar in ambiance. You pass a mountain col and continue on the high route. The views are spectacular, with Corte, the island’s historic capital in the distance and a series of wonderful glacier lakes to discover. From the small Brèche above Lake Capitello, we plunge downhill to Manganu refuge situated on the edge of the Camputile plateau.  No access to bags.

Night
Night in Manganu
Distance
8,5 km
Duration
5h00
Ascent / descent
+610 m / -860 m
Day 9

Camputile plateau to Col de Vergio

The GR20 is well-marked, leading gently uphill, a relaxing easy walk through beech woods, and across the green spongy turf to the Lac de Nino. A morning stop to have a snack and relax on the banks of the lake.  At 1743m this glacier lake is in a lovely, sheltered bucolic spot, surrounded by spongy peat, with runnels of water and wells, ideal grazing ground for ponies and other animals in the summer. The air is fresh, tinged with the scent of alder and the fragrance of the high mountains. You drop down at the Col St Pierre, to join a flat horse shoe shaped trail to Castel di Vergio, the island’s small ski station.  Access to bags.

Night
Night at Col de Vergio
Distance
16 km
Duration
6h00
Ascent / descent
+510 m / -710 m
Day 10

Col de Vergio to Melarie Valley

The GR20 trail follows the Golu torrent up the valley towards its source. Mid way up the valley, your route crosses the torrent, a good place to take a break on the smooth sun-baked rocks, a paddle and a swim for the brave. The trail shortly leaves the floor of the valley and heads up to the ridge line. From here there are clear views of the villages dotted on the west coast and the indented outline of the island in the sea. The refuge Ciuttolu di I Mori (2000m), the highest refuge in Corsica, is situated between two daunting mountains the Tafanatu and Paglia Orba. From the refuge the GR20 falls away steeply downhill, to Vallone. No access to bags.

Night
Night in Vallone
Distance
14,5 km
Duration
6h30
Ascent / descent
+810 m / -780 m
Day 11

Melarie Valley to Haut Asco

Today is a tough, high altitude mountain walk.   You make your way uphill progressively to the foothills of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit on the island.  The climb is steep, rocky and slow.  After a couple of hours, you arrive at Bocca Crucetta, a ridge leads to the daunting ‘Pointe des Eboulis’ at 2607m this is the highest point on the GR20, the view is absolutely spectacular.  From here, the path literally plunges down to the small lake the other side.  The trail continues downhill, the scree, the rocks and austere décor gives way to a river and woods as you approach the old ski station of Haut-Asco. Access to bags. 

Distance
Night in Haut Asco
Distance
9 km
Duration
7h00
Ascent / descent
+1260 m / -1230 m
Day 12

Haut Asco to Carrozzu

From the ski station at Haut Ascu, a superb ascent takes you to Bocca Di Stagnu (2010m) at the foot of the Muvrella (2150m). From Lake Muvrella the view over Calvi bay is incredible. From here you drop down to the refuge at Carrozzu. You arrive at Carrozzu, a refuge surrounded by box trees, with great sunsets! Camp at Refuge. No access to bags. 

Night
Night in Carrozzu
Duration
7 km
Duration
5h30
Ascent / descent
+650 m / -850 m
Day 13

Carrozzu to Ortu di U Piobbu

The first part of this walk is outstanding, the ambiance is high and airy as you enter into a semi-circle of high mountains, the Cirque de Bonifatu.  The trail works its way around the edge of this large cirque and the panoramic view of all the highest peaks is inspiring.   The day breaks into two clear sections, the second half crosses an easier basin area that is dotted with woodland before arriving at the beautifully situated refuge at Ortu di U Piobbu. No access to bags. 

Night
Night in Ortu di U Piobbu
Distance
7 km
Duration
7h00
Ascent / descent
+950 m / -750 m
Day 14

Ortu di U Piobbu to Calenzana

From Ortu di U Pobbiu the day is varied all the way to the end of the trek at the village of Calenzana. You are nearly there. This is the last day in the Bonifatu massif, the scenery is breath-taking from granite mountains, to thick dense forests, and low-level maquis scrub, and the views over the coastline and the Balagne are superb before arriving at the bustling village of Calenzana which is a hive of activity with walkers. After a short transfer night in a hotel in Calvi. Access to bags.

Night
Night in Calvi
Distance
11 km
Duration
6h00
Ascent / descent
+50 m / -1360 m
Day 15

Calvi

Holiday ends after breakfast in Calvi. Private transfers or train and taxi available to Bastia or private transfer to Calvi airport.

Programs have been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing: imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the course of the program.

Dates and prices

For our guided tours, bookings are possible from one person.

Confirmed departures indicate dates where the minimum number of participants has been reached and where there is still space available! If a date is shown as fully booked, this means that the maximum number of participants has already been reached. In this case, please contact us before booking, as places may become available.

FromToPrice/persStatus
06/07/202420/07/2024
2 450
In progress
Book now
07/09/202421/09/2024
2 450
In progress
Book now
Price includes

An experienced English speaking International Mountain leader, accommodation on full board (nights 1 to 14), single timed group transfer from Bastia Airport to Conca on Day 1, all transfers and luggage transfers detailed in the itinerary.

Price does not include

Reservation fee of  5€ / person, travel insurance, drinks, picnic day 1, unexpected transfers, travel to Corsica.

Supplements/Discounts

Insurance

We offer comprehensive multi-risk insurance specifically adapted to our adventure trips (contract no. 7482 Assurinco). The rates are as follows: 4.00% of the price of the trip for French residents, 6% of the price of the trip for residents from the European Union (EU) outside France. For non-EU residents, the rate is €90 per person. See insurance details.

Group discount

Groups of 3 people or more can benefit from a discount. Please contact us for details.

Technical informations

Starts

At Bastia airport in the afternoon for a single timed transfer. 

Ends

After breakfast in your hotel in Calvi. Transfers to the airport available at a supplement.

Access

Bastia airport or port. Figari airport possible with a private transfer.

Accommodation

  • Dormitories in refuges and gîtes or in tents equipped with mattresses (showers and WC facilities are limited - sleeping bag is required
  • Hotel in double/ twin rooms: 1 night in ** Hotel (Calvi).
  • Single room supplement to be requested when booking.

     

Meal

  • Simple Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, longlife bread, butter, jam).
  • Picnics (please bring a tupperware ).
  • Evening meal, often based on local specialities, including starter, main course and dessert.

Number of participants

Solo travellers possible. NB. For private groups please contact us for a quote. 

Level

Tough - excellent physical condition required, you are well trained and can make a continuous effort over several days. This version of the GR20 Corsica is designed as a trek requiring good physical condition and the ability to walk on steep terrain.

Guiding

English speaking International Mountain Leader.

Luggage transfers

A vehicle will transport your luggage, which you will have access to every night in the south, and only every 2 to 3 nights in the north. You have to carry your sleeping bag and personal belongings for the nights in refuges, not accessible by road.

Extensions

Take advantage of a stay extension during your tour with Corsica Aventure.

If you'd like to discover Corsica before or after your holiday, our team can offer you ideas for accommodation and activities. If you prefer to arrive a few days earlier or extend your stay for a few days, we can book your extra nights on the island, depending on your arrival city.

Here are a few hotels we recommend for those of you who would rather organise their extra days themselves:  

Ajaccio

  • Hôtel Le Dauphin 2*/ Tél : 04 95 21 12 94.
  • Hôtel Kalliste 3* / Tél : 04 95 51 34 45.
  • Hôtel Albion 3* / Tél : 04 95 21 66 70.
  • Hôtel San Carlu 3* / Tél : 04 95 21 13 84.

Propriano

  • Hôtel Bellevue / Tél : 04 95 76 01 86.
  • Gîte-hôtel U Fracintu / Tél : 04 95 76 15 05.

Porto

  • Hôtel Kallisté / Tél : 04 95 26 10 30.
  • Hôtel Le Belvédère / Tél : 04 95 26 12 01.
  • Hôtel Le Méditerranée / Tél : 04 95 26 10 27.

Piana

  • Hôtel Les Calanques / Tél : 04 95 27 82 08.
  • Hôtel Les Roches Rouges / Tél : 04 95 27 81 81.

Calvi 

  • Hôtel Belvédère 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 01 25.
  • Hôtel Les Arbousiers 2* / Tél : 04 95 65 04 47.
  • Hôtel Christophe Colomb 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 06 04.
  • Hôtel Balanea 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 94 94.

Bastia

  • Best Western Montecristo Bastia / Tél : 04 95 55 05 10.

Map

Your itinerary:

Pictures
of the holidays

Reviews for GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack

5 reviews
(4.4)

Very good stay, the GR is MAGNIFICENT......

Jimmy 16/08/2023GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack

A wonderful stay, with no rain and no human or sporting challenges, led by Géraldine, a friendly guide who is very attached to the true values of n...

Emma 12/07/2023GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack

I had an absolutely wonderful mountain holiday !...

Jorune 05/07/2023GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack

Anaëlle knows the GR20 like the back of her hand and takes the hike seriously....

Britney 21/06/2023GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack

I recommend Corsica Aventure and Patrick, who helped me make this magnificent TREK a reality....

Brandon 17/06/2023GR20 Integral Guided with Lightened pack