This short break offers one of the best sections of the GR20 -the long distance, high level hiking trail that traverses the island diagonally through the barrier of rugged granite mountains. The trek starts in Corte, the island’s historical capital and negotiates some high airy terrain, to finish in the beautiful pine tree forest of Vizzavona. There are considerable daily ascents and descents as you pass glacier lakes, rocky exposed cols, craggy ridges, pine scented valleys, rock pools and sun baked rocks. Despite the walking being in the heart of the mountains you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the indented, jagged western coastline of Corsica.
GR20 North Minitrek
Self guided walking
5 days / 4 nights
Level 1 2 3 4
Point to Point - 3 days walking
Comfortable hotels & Simple mountain refuges
Starting from 450 €
- Superb, challenging GR20 mountain trek
- Glacier lakes, high airy ridges and vistas
- Rugged alpine terrain, rock pools, tumbling waterfalls
- Corte, Restonica valley, Petra Piana, Vizzavona
Groups, families or businesses
Tailor this holiday to your needs READ MORE
Day 1 - Corte
Make your way to Corte, the island’s historical capital and settle into your hotel. Depending on the time, you may wish to wander around the old town and soak up the ambiance in one of the many street cafés. You may choose to visit the anthropology museum in the citadel, or stretch your legs in the nearby Tavignano Gorge, this is an ideal opportunity for a first walk and a swim in the mountain torrent with its numerous rock pools.
Day 2 - Corte to Petra Piana
From Corte, a short transfer will whisk you up the beautiful Restonica valley. You start walking from the small refreshment cabin called Grotelle, the rocky path leads up through dramatic alpine scenery to the wonderful glacier lac de Melo. From here, it is a path off the beaten track that pulls up to the GR20 trail. The terrain is steep and at the Col de Muzzarela it becomes almost lunar with great blocks of granite. A final steep descent is the last section before you arrive at Petra Piana refuge for the night.
9km, 5h00 +900m, -400m
Day 3 - Petra Piana to L'Onda
From Petra Piana to L’Onda the ridge is technical and exposed. It’s hard to advance quickly as the trail si so rocky and challenging. As you progress along the ridge you will traverse a series of summits, this section is called the Pinzi Corbini. On the West coast, way beneath you, you can glimpse the Gulf of Ajaccio and the Mediterranean sea. The refuge of l’Onda is colourful, lots of goats, sheep, mules and horses. In bad weather the GR20 offers a low level valley route.
7km, 4h30, +380m, -840m
Day 4 -L'Onda to Vizzavona
From l’Onda you will quickly arrive at the col de Muratella that topples in the the valley l’Agnone. The massif of the Monte d’Oro dominates here, it’s one of the island’s highest summits. You drop down through the valley and arrive alongside a mountain torrent that was particularly favoured by the English at the turn of the century, called the Cascade des Anglais. Your hotel is dotted in the huge forest of Vizzavona with it’s small hamlet and quaint train station.
9km, 5h00, +740m, -970m
Day 5 - Vizzavona
End of holiday in Vizzavona after breakfast. Extra nights and transfers to Ajaccio and Corte available, please ask for details.
This itinerary is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to, correct at time of publication. Should situations arise that are beyond our control, such as severe weather conditions, or other factors that could put your safety at risk, it may be possible for the itinerary to be modified.
Departure any day from June to mid September. 2 persons minimum.
Please select your departure date in the calender below to see the price and click on the button to the right to make a reservation.
Prices : €450pp (June, Sept) €465pp (July, Aug)
Supplements/Discounts
Sleeping bag hire : €25pp
Luggage transfer Corte to Vizzavona : €88
Price includes
Accommodation on full board (1, 2, 3), half board (4), transfer Corte to Grotelle, travel dossier with A4 copies of IGN maps and walking notes.
Price does not include
Reservation fee of €5pp, travel insurance, drinks, picnics, site visits and transfers to your hotel in Corte and from Vizzavona, travel to Corsica.
Starts
At your hotel in Corte.
Ends
At Vizzavona, after breakfast.
Access
Ajaccio or Bastia Airport or Port. If you arrive into Calvi or Figari please ask for details of transport connections. Air tickets and boat reservations available, please ask for a quotation.
Accommodation
- Simple Park Refuges and shepherds cabins, in dormitories or camping at refuges (showers and WC facilities are limited).
- Simple Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, longlife bread, butter, jam).
- Evening meals (based on local specialties - a starter, soup or smoked meats, main course or pasta or rice with a sauce, cheese, a fruit or a sweet pudding.).
- Picnics (please bring a tupperware for rice, pasta, lentils, couscous salad)
Should you have any food allergies, special requests or dietary requirements, please advise at time of booking. Food is limited for vegetarians, and special diets cannot be accommodated due to the remoteness of the trek.
Number of participants
Reservations for minimum of 2 participants. NB. For safety reasons we do not accept solo hiker reservations on Self-Guided treks.
Level
Tough The walks are long between 6-9 hours a day, maybe more. You can expect steep uphill and downhill sections with maybe up to 1000m altitude gain some days. The temperatures will range and weather conditions can be severe. You are fit and have good trekking experience. See our level ratings.
PLEASE NOTE THIS WALK IS VERY TESTING, YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN NEED TO BE SURE FOOTED AND HAVE APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE. YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLACE YOUR FEET ON ROCKY GROUND.
Guiding
Self-Guided Walking. We provide you with a Travel Dossier complete with A4 copies of the IGN maps and a walking guide created by our team. During your hike our 24-hour assistance service will also be able to answer all your questions and, if necessary, assist you with the smooth running of your stay.
Luggage transfers
During this trek you will carry a 35-45 litre rucksack with a water bottle, sun and wet weather gear, camera, tupperware with picnic, trailfood, all your overnight gear including knife, fork, etc, washbag, clean items of clothing, and sleeping bag. There are fresh water springs en route so you do not have to be weighed down with litres of water.
Our customers' reviews
Andrea-Netherlands
We had a fabulous hike. Thank you for great planning. Tough going in places but stupendous views. the storm of Saturday night was very intense (Boys thought it was very exciting) and we hiked out in the pouring rain yesterday. Very glad to dry out but thanks again. We will definitely back for more adventure on this beautiful island!
Emily-UK
Thank you for rating!
You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!
Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!
We had a fabulous trip and the walk was definitely a highlight. The girls loved it and the scenery and experience was stunning. Lots of swimming and jumping into pools helps! Many thanks for all your help.