This trip departs every Sunday from the beginning of June until mid-September.
GR20 SELF GUIDED - 2 WEEKS VERSION
price from 1424 €
Corsica - Independent walking - 13 days
Considered as the most difficult and technical long-distance walk of Europe, the GR20 attracts walkers from all over the world looking for a challenge.
This self guided circuit will allow you to discover the most wild and most beautiful landscapes that Corsica has to offer.
This particular route, designed by us, allows you to enjoy the GR20 with greater comfort; we use better accommodation than that traditionally used for the GR20 and we propose the greatest number of luggage transfers.
Day 1 From Calvi to Bonifatu Your trip will start in the morning from Calvi. Calvi is accessible by plane, train or ferry. A transfer to Calenzana is then organised for you. South-east of Calvi, this little village sits quietly within an area abundant with olive trees. From here you will start your hike to Bonifatu, which lies high up in the forest. This stage is characterised by several river crossings as well as magnificent views of the typical towns of the Balagne. It is an excellent warm up to the GR20 offering superb views towards the Corsican coast.
Food: L,D
Accommodation:Gîte (double room available).
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 4h05.
Height gain: + 800m Height loss: -540m
Day 2 From Bonifatu to Haut Asco After breakfast, you will leave Bonifatu for one of the longest stages along the GR20. Once more crossing several rivers before reaching the famous footbridge of Spasimata, which is 30 metres in length and suspended above a waterfall (a great location for photos). You will arrive in the Valley of the Muvrella (mouflon) with its small lake. The viewpoints are numerous and divine from the passes. The route continues to the foot of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit of Corsica, where you will spend the night.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 8h00.
Height gain: +1300m Height loss: -598m.
Day 3 From Haut Asco to the sheepfolds of Vallone In this dream setting, you may have the chance to observe mouflons, which are numerous in this region of Corsica. The legendary ‘Cirque de la Solitude’ offers one of the most impressive landscapes of the GR20. Equipped with handrails and a ladder, this is a technical passage which will leave you with great memories, once crossed! A (long) detour is also possible to avoid it. The route continues passed the refuge of Tighjettu before reaching the sheepfolds of Vallone, where a cluster of shepherd huts await you with ample portions of home cooked food made from local products.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tent
Luggage: Your main bag will not be available on this day
Walking: About 5h25
Height gain: +1050m Height loss: -980m
Day 4 From the Sheepfolds of Vallone to Verghio After waking up to views of the surrounding mountains, the day begins with a gentle walk through a forest of giant Laricio pines before a long climb up the Bocca di Fuciale. The climb is soon rewarded as you reach up and over the saddle towards the Refuge of Ciotulu i Mori, where the view expands down towards the Golo valley. From here, the path becomes much easier, as you wind your way down the valley, past the many rock pools on the Golo river, which are fantastic for bathing. The final stretch takes you back through the woods and up again to Castel di Verghio.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte (double room available).
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 6h15.
Height gain: +971m Height loss: -1017m.
Day 5 From Verghio to the Sega refuge Today maybe a long day for some walkers, but it is a real treat. Leaving Verghio under the shadow of this superb forest, the route gradually begins to climb and the trees start to fall away. The morning’s effort is rewarded by the descent to Lac de Nino with its little ponds (pozzines). This is one of the most well known lakes in Corsica. The surroundings are superb, with fantastic views of the mountains and often horses, cows and pigs can be seen grazing in tranquillity around the lake. The path continues to follow the river (and its many bathing pools) to lead you to one of the most beautiful refuges on the island.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Refuge.
Luggage: Your main bag will not be available on this day.
Walking: About 7h50
Height gain: +869m Height loss: -689m
Day 6 From the Sega refuge to Corte After tearing yourselves away from the natural pools near the refuge, you will make your way down the Tavignano gorge, to Corte. This stage offers more opportunities en route for bathing in the crystal clear waters of the Tavignano river.
Overnight at a hotel in Corte. Dinner is not included and so you are free to eat at a restaurant of your choice, all within easy reach of the hotel.
Food: B,L
Accommodation: Hotel, twin rooms.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel.
Walking: About 4 hours
Height gain: +720m Height loss: -1400m
Day 7 From Corte to Vizzavona After breakfast, you have the chance to spend much of the day soaking in the lively atmosphere of Corte, the ancient capital of Corsica. Take your time to discover the citadelle, perched high upon a rocky crag, a defiant spectacle of Corsican patriotism. Visit the Museu di a Corsica, which charts the fascinating and turbulent history of the island, as well as spend time wandering about the many shops, cafes and restaurants. After quenching your thirst for civilisation, you will take the train to Vizzavona where you will spend the night before carrying on to the southern section of the GR20.
Night in Vizzavona.
Food: B,D
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: You will take your day sack plus your main bag on the train to Vizzavona. The train station is a ten minute walk from the hotel
Walking: 0h
Day 8 From Vizzavona to Capanelle Today’s trek begins with the Pass of Vizzavona and the stiff but steady climb to Bocca Palmente where the view is splendid. Next, after passing the crest, you will discover several sheepfolds before finally arriving at the sheepfolds of Capanelle where you will spend the night.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 7h45
Height gain: +1000m Height loss: -400m
Day 9 From Capanelle to the Col de Verde From Capanelle, you make your way to the picturesque sheepfolds of Traghjete before trekking on towards the Plateau of Ghialgone. You will cross the footbridge of I Spiazzi (another bathing point). Your final descent of the day lies under the shadow of the rarest and most majestic Corsican fir trees, before reaching the Col de Verde.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: about 5h00
Height gain: +700m Height loss: -950m
Day 10 From the Col de Verde to Cozzano You start the day with a climb towards the refuge of Prati, which is perfectly positioned for beautiful views across to the massif of Renosu. The view is at its best when we reach the crest. From here the view stretches out across the Ligurian sea and the Italian island of Elba (when the weather allows it). We now descend in amongst a landscape of rocky slabs before reaching Cozzano, a town in the heart of Corsica.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: about 8h00
Height gain: +750m Height loss: -1300m
Day 11 From Cozzano to the Sheepfolds of Bassetta Our morning will be devoted to the climb towards Bocca Di l’usciolu. After 1000m of difference in height, we will reach our peak point before entering into a forest of centennial trees. The path finally descends and the vegetation becomes dense. After the crossing of a stream, we will arrive at the sheepfolds of Bassetta.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: about 6h30
Height gain:+910m Height loss:-505m
In case of bad weather you can take another path:
Walking: About 6h00.
Height gain:+887m Height loss:-483m
Day 12 From Bassetta to Bavella This is the longest and hardest day of the holiday, but the end of this superb trek is in sight. After a passage in the forest, you will cross a footbridge to continue through former sheepfolds towards Monte Incudine. From here you will descend to Asinau to reach your final destination, Bavella and its famous “Aiguilles” (or “needles”), which dominate the landscape of the Alta Rocca. There couldn’t be a more fantastic place to finish this memorable walk.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking (via the GR20): about 09h00
Height gain: +982m Height loss: -1100m
Walking (via the alpine variant): about 09h00
Height gain: +1170m Height loss: –1200m
Day 13 Bavella Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast. Please do ask us about arrangements for getting to Ajaccio for your journey home.
Client's feedback
Hi Aurelia
I got back to Australia late last week after completing the GR20. All went well (that's us in the photo having a well earned beer at the end) and would like to thankyou for all your help. The accommodation organised by you was fantastic as was the food but those Parc huts, boy, what a mess!!!
We love Corsica, the scenery, the people, the food and especially the wine.
We will be back!!!!
Regards,
Geoff- Australia - 13th of July 2009
Fact sheet
Details
Starting point Calvi.
End Bavella.
Accommodation In gite d’etapes (dormitory style) for 10 nights, 1 night in a tent, 1 night in a hotel. Three nights can be in rooms of two.
Number of people Minimum 2.
Level of difficulty You need to be used to trekking in the mountains and be able to read and follow map instructions. From 4h30 to 9h of hiking per day on sometimes difficult trails.
Carrying We take care of your luggage transfers except on days 3 and 5. You only have to carry a day bag (for your picnic, camera etc).
Options - 3 nights in double room : 85€
- Trip without luggage transfer : -458€
- Maps of hike : 82€
Included Luggage transfers (except days 3 and 5). All dinners from day 1 to day 12 (except day 6). All breakfasts from day 2 to day 13. All picnics from day 2 to day 12 (except day 7). Transfer Calvi - Calenzana. The folder containing route notes and maps.
Not included Transfer from Bavella at the end of the trip, transfers not included in this program (including in times of bad weather or physicial ailments), entrance fees to sites, optional activities, drinks and holiday insurance.
