This version of the GR20 south  is for those who want to do the whole southern section, from Vizzavona to Conca.. 

The trail follows the high barrier of granite mountains that divide the island diagonally into two parts, it is about 100 km long. Leaving Vizzavona, the GR20 South, with its gentler terrain than the north, passes from ridge to ridge along ancestral paths, before reaching the Renoso massif, the Cuscionu plateau, the Aiguilles and Bavella peaks and then dropping down to Porto-Vecchio.

Highlights

  • The whole of the south from Vizzavona to Conca 
  • You carry your own bag
  • Luggage logistics available as an option
  • Point to point  - 6 days walking
  • Start in Vizzavona and  end in Conca
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Type of holidays
Hiking-Walking
Access
Ajaccio
Level
4 - Tough
Carrying
Lightened pack
With bag

Itinerary

Day 1

Vizzavona

Vizzavona is a huge forest with a small hamlet and train station.  It is considered the mid way point for the GR20.  It is also a famous col that separates the two counties of Corsica, if you arrive early we offer a walk up the GR20 to the Cascade des Anglais.

Night
Night in Vizzavona
Day 2

Vizzavona to Capanelle

After a fine climb through beech forest, the trees are replaced by dwarf vegetation at the Col de Palmente (1650 m). The view of the Tyrrhenian Sea is a fine reward for all your efforts. On a clear day you can see the islands of Elba and Caprai. Descending to Capanelle, the route takes us to the Alzeta and Scarpacceghje sheepfolds, traces of mountain pastoralism that has all but disappeared.  

Distance
13,5 km
Duration
5h30
Ascent / descent
+900 m / -450 m
Night
Night in Capanelle
Day 3

Capanelle to Col de Verde

This more leisurely forest stage will take you through the Renoso massif along a footpath. Pass the Traggette sheepfolds and the Gialgone plateau before reaching the Verde pass and your accommodation.

Distance
13 km
Duration
4h30
Ascent / descent
+400 m / -710 m
Night
Night at Col de Verde
Day 4

Col de Verde to Usciolu

Setting out from Col de Verde, it’s uphill right from the start.  You walk steeply up through the forest to gain the ridge line above.  As soon as you reach the ridge you can enjoy looking down on the Eastern side of the island.  You soon reach the refuge of Prati situated on a small plateau area.  Continue on to a higher ridge that will take you to the next refuge.  You have the East coast on one side and the valley of Taravo on the other, with small  villages dotted below.  Your night stop, Usciolu, is situated just below the ridge line. 

Distance
16 km
Duration
8h30
Ascent / descent
+1220 m / -830 m
Night
Night in Usciolu
Day 5

Usciolu to Cuscionu plateau

From the refuge you make the short walk back up to the ridge line.  The ridge is roughly at 1800m, the trail topples from one side to the other.  You have to go slowly, the views are amazing, one minute you’re looking at the Tyrrhénienne sea and then you have views towards the mountainous interior.  You finally come off the ridge line, drop down through a dwarf oak forest and head towards  the spongy plains of the Cuscionu plateau .

Distance
14 km
Duration
6h00
Ascent / descent
+460 m / -660 m
Night
Night in Croci
Day 6

Cuscionu to Bavella

From the green fertile plains you head uphill towards the ridge line and the col called Bocca Chiralba. Aiming for the ridge of the Alcudini, this is the highest mountain in the south section. The GR20 heads down the other side of the ridge dropping down to the Asinau Valley.  You cross the river then head into the shade of the forest.  After a couple of hours on the flat, you pull steeply up to the ‘Alpine Variant.’ The trail passes by the foot of the high  needles that have made Bavella famous. It’s a high concentration trail, rough underfoot all the way to the col de Bavella. 

Distance
14 km
Duration
9h00
Ascent / descent
+1030 m / -1310 m
Night
Night in Bavella
Day 7

Bavella to Conca

A great last day, setting out from Bavella, a trail winds through the woods to Paliri refuge.  You won’t be disappointed with the beauty of this stage, it’s the last one but by no means any less dramatic. You can enjoy a spot of lunch at Paliri before continuing on to Conca for a well earned rest. This stage is a superb jumble of rock and pine and water. From Paliri to Conca you can just reflect on the section behind you and you approach the East coast.  Holiday ends upon  arrival in Conca. Taxi transfers available upon request.

Distance
18 km
Duration
7h30
Ascent / descent
+530 m / -1500 m

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

Departure every day from May to mid September. 2 persons minimum.

Please select your departure date from the calendar below to find out the rate and begin your booking.

Pick a date
Price includes

Accommodation on full board (nights 1 to 6), picnic day 7, travel dossier with A4 copies of IGN maps, walking notes, GR20 pocket map and access to our guidance application. PLEASE NOTE some of these documents cannot be sent by file transfer.

Price does not include

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

Supplements/Discounts

Supplement for luggage assistance by vehicle based on a group of 2 people with access on D2, D3, D5, D6 and D7, i.e. 5 times during the tour: €420/person. Rates for more than 2 people and group rates on request.

Supplement for 1 night hotel upgrade (Vizzavona): 55 € / person.

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 your first  accommodation in Vizzavona from 2pm.

Ends

In Conca after your last hike.

Access

Ajaccio, Airport or Port. If you arrive into Figari please ask for details of transport connections.

Accommodation

Dormitories in refuges and gîtes or in tents equipped with mattresses (showers and WC facilities are limited - sleeping bag is required).

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

Reservations for minimum of 2 participants. 

Luggage transfers

You carry all your personal belongings. We can arrange for your luggage to be transported by vehicle, with access 5 times during the hike (see supplement).

Level

Tough, mountain trekking experience essential. Many steep climbs with off-trail sections, on ridges, slabs and rocks. Snow-covered passes at the start of the season. Handrails at Bavella.

Warning The GR20 is a very sporty route, and the free version is reserved for experienced walkers with mountaineering experience. Even if we have improved walking comfort, the gradients and technical difficulties of the terrain are still there!

Guiding

Self-Guided Walking. We provide you with a Travel Dossier complete with IGN map and Topoguide created by our team. During your hike our 24-hour assistance service will also be able to answer all your questions and, if necessary, bring you useful tips for the smooth running of your stay.

The digital roadbook

Once you have confirmed your holiday, you can download our application. It's easy to use and it offers a number of functionalities:

  • Precise route guidance with alerts in the event of deviations.
  • View your starting point, accommodation, current position, mileage.
  • Discover points of interest via interactive content with descriptions, photos and audio. 
  • In an emergency, send an SOS alert with your GPS coordinates. 
  • Contact function to share messages, photos and videos with our team during your stay.

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 South - Vizzavona to Conca

9 reviews
(3.9)

The trek was easier than I thought it would be, and we had a great week, meeting lots of new people and spending the evening with our hosts!

Peter 17/09/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

A very well-prepared trek. You get the feeling that you're expected in the evening....

Randy 13/09/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

Very good commercial contact in the early stages of planning the holiday: precise and rapid responses, flexibility in offering tailor-made solution...

Neil 18/08/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

Our stay on the GR 20 South was really great and we have no regrets about having taken the reduced porterage option, which was really essential for...

Linda 11/08/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

Thank you for this stay. Everything was very well organised from start to finish. The refuges were all very good and everyone was very welcoming....

Jade 09/08/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

The first 2 stages of Vizzanova and Campanelle are too ligth compared to the others. Very welcoming wardens. Very general evening departures....

Fiona 21/07/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

We're both delighted. This week has given us the chance to get to know another Corsica and will remain an unforgettable memory for my wife and I....

Greg 12/07/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

Everything you offered us was just right for the event. Thank you.

Jerry 07/07/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca

Thank you to Corsica aventure. You made it easy for me to get to the GR20. Very responsive staff. Good choice of accommodation. Highly recommend....

Kate 25/06/2023GR20 South - Vizzavona to Conca