The GR20 North is a fabulous trail, starting in Vizzavona the trek offers some fantastic scenery and winds its way through some amazing mountain terrain, over high ridges, down deep chasms and bare granite slopes. On the Northern section, there are continuous steep ascents and descents, and the ambiance is strictly alpine. The GR20 North is part of an exceptional, long distance walk, reputed as the best and most challenging in Europe, it offers great trekking with the bonus of your luggage meeting you at points along the route. The GR20 is accessible to mountain walkers who are fit and out in the hills regularly.
GR20 North Self Guided (Lightened Pack)
Self guided walking
7 days / 6 nights
Level 1 2 3 4
Point to Point - 6 days walking
Camping, Simple Refuges & Shepherds Cabins
Starting from 730 €
- Mountains - idyllic Alpine scenery
- Insight into Corsican high mountain life
- Luggage transfers, Hotel rooms available
- GR20 - Vizzavona, Vergio, Bonifatu
Groups, families or businesses
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Day 1 - Arrive Vizzavona
Vizzavona is the mid way point for the GR20. There is a forest with a small railway station nestled at the heart of it which is a hive of activity for walkers setting out or finishing up their GR20 treks. At the beginning of the 20th century the hamlet was a popular resort for the English, take the GR20 path towards the beautiful Cascade des Anglais Time and then settle into the accommodation. Gite accommodation in Vizzavona or Hotel at a supplement.
Day 2 - Vizzavona to Petra Piana
The start of this walk is a lead in trail that will come out near to Canaglia, a hamlet in the forest. From here the path follows a mountain torrent with smooth rocks and enticing pools all the way to a shepherd's cabin set in a grassy clearing, the perfect rest stop at Tolla. The GR20 leaves the forest and continues on, emerging in a beautiful open valley, in total contrast to the first part of the walk. Night camping at the simple Petra Piana Refuge.
20km, 8h00, +1240m, -510m.
Day 3 - Petra Piana to Camputile Plateau
From Petra Piana a short uphill section takes you to the high rocky ridge above the refuge. The GR20 crosses 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, plunge downhill to Manganu refuge situated on the edge of the Camputile plateau. Night camping at Manganu Refuge.
8.5km, 5h00, +610m, -860m.
Day 4 - Camputile Plateau to Col de Vergio
The GR20 leads gently uphill, a relaxing walk through beech woods, and across the green spongy turf to the Lac de Nino. At 1743m this glacier lake is in a lovely bucolic spot, surrounded by spongy peat, with runnels of water, ideal grazing ground for ponies in the summer. From the lake a classic ridge walk leads towards Col de St Pierre with magnificent views and the occasional blue glint of the sea. Gite accommodation at Castel di Vergio or Hotel at a supplement.
16km, 6h00, +510m, -710m.
Day 5 - Col de Vergio to Melarie Valley
The GR20 trail follows the Golu valley. Mid way up the valley, the GR20 crosses the torrent, and leaves the valley floor heading 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. From Ciuttolu di I Mori (2000m), the highest refuge in Corsica, between Tafanatu and Paglia Orba, the GR20 falls steeply through a chaos of harsh granite rock and giant pine trees. Night camping at Tighjettu Refuge or Vallone Shepherd’s Cabin.
14.5km, 6h30, +810m, -780m.
Day 6 - Melarie Valley to Haut Asco
Today is a tough, high altitude mountain walk. The GR20 makes its way uphill to the foothills of the Mt Cinto, the highest summit on the island. After a couple of hours, you arrive at Bocca Crucetta, a ridge leads to the ‘Pointe des Eboulis’, 2607m - the highest point on the GR20, the view is amazing. From here, the path literally plunges down to the small lake the other side and the trail continues downhill, across the scree before arriving at the gite or hotel at Haut-Asco.
9km, 7h00, +1260m, -1230m.
Day 7 - Haut Asco to Calvi
From 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. After Carozza refuge, you continue the descent to Bonifatu. Transfer to Calvi where you finish your trek. Hotels available in Calvi, please ask for details.
10km, 6h30, +700m, -1630m.
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 every Sunday 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: €730pp
Supplements/Discounts
Hotel Upgrade (3 nights Vizzavona, Vergio & Asco) : €155pp
No luggage support (reduction without any porterage): -80€pp
Price includes
Accommodation on full board (nights 1 to 6), picnic day 7, travel dossier with IGN maps and topo guide.
Price does not include
Reservation fee of €5pp, travel insurance, drinks, picnic day 1, transfers to Vizzavona, travel to Corsica.
Starts
At your accommodation in Vizzavona.
Ends
Around 5.30 pm in Calvi, after your last transfer from Bonifatu.
Access
Ajaccio, Bastia Airports or Ports. If you arrive into Calvi please ask for details of transport connections. Air tickets and boat reservations available, please ask for a quotation.
Accommodation
- Simple Gites & Park Refuges, 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 but PLEASE NOTE 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 NEED TO BE SURE FOOTED AND HAVE APPROPRIATE SCRAMBLING 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 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.
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. On the luggage transfer option, your follow on bag is transported by vehicle to Vizzavona, Castel di Vergio & Haut-Asco in the North. There are fresh water springs en route so you do not have to be weighed down with litres of water.
Our customers' reviews
Annette-Germany
Hiking the GR20 nord was an excellent experience and great fun. We can definitely recommend Corsica Adventure for a care free organization of the hike.
Steve-UK
Highly recommended - well organised and clearly each hotel or refuge was familiar with working with Corsica Aventure. We had a great time and felt that we had a competent company in the background - thank you!
Chris-UK
This was a very energetic holiday, which would only suit experienced walkers. The scenery and sense of achievement were absolutely fantastic, and the support of Corsica Adventures was really good. I would highly recommend it, but don't underestimate how physical it is.
Karin-Netherlands
Loved the GR20 North! Thank you for the good organisation. And you were right about the upgrades. We choose to upgrade on 2 locations en route. It is good to have a 'back to basics' experience, but it is hard to keep up that spirit if you do not have to.
Jochen-Australia
We had the perfect hike! Superbly organised (including weather!!!). Thunderstorm today. The team in Ajaccio were a great support. Extremely friendly and responsive.
Janie-Australia
Whilst the walk was fantastic, we found the days very long. Overall though a tough but incredible fantastic experience with many treasured memories for our family
Stephen-UK
GR20 North is tough! So long as people are aware, have experience & don't carry too much, they should be OK & enjoy it. The national park will need to plan long term for footpath restoration work due to erosion caused by walkers. I did the GR20 South self-guided with Corsica Aventure a few years ago via a UK based agent but booked direct this time. Staying in pop-up tents at refuges is much better than sleeping in the refuges themselves.
Christoph
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Good experience