Trekking the GR20 Corsica

The High Level Route: Guidebook and map booklet

By Paddy Dillon

ISBN

9781786310675

Availability

Published

1 Jun 2022

Edition

Fifth

Pages

304

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.70cm

Weight

430g

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Guidebook to Corsica's GR20, one of Europe's classic treks. The most challenging of the GR long-distance routes, the trail crosses remote mountain terrain and involves plenty of hands-on scrambling. Includes information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities and a separate booklet showing the entire route on IGN 1:25,000 maps.

Seasons

Possible June to mid-October; June or September is ideal, with July and August being the hottest and busiest months. Snow and ice make the trail exceptionally dangerous.

Centres

Calinzana, Ascu Stagnu, Vizzavona, Conca. Detours can be made to Corti, Cuzzà and Zicavu.

Difficulty

The GR20 is a challenging walk involving plenty of hands-on scrambling, through isolated mountain terrain. Take note of weather conditions and avoid lingering snow and ice early in the season, or thunderstorms at any time. The GR20 is for experienced, fit walkers prepared to carry backpacking kit.

Must See

Great mountain views; optional ascents of Monte Cinto and Paglia Orba; optional detour to the ancient mountain capital of Corti

ISBN

9781786310675

Availability

Published

1 Jun 2022

Edition

Fifth

Pages

304

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.70cm

Weight

430g

Overview

This guidebook describes the classic GR20 trek, a north-to-south traverse of the rugged mountains of Corsica, renowned as Europe's toughest GR long-distance route. Described in 16 stages, some with high and low-level alternatives, the route is roughly 190km in length and takes approximately two weeks to complete. The GR20 climbs high into the mountains. It is a demanding trek suitable only for experienced walkers, and there are several steep 'hands-on-rock' sections calling for a sure foot and a good head for heights. It is possible to stay under a roof every night but many trekkers opt to camp.

Step-by-step descriptions of each stage are accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping, together with information on ascent/descent, terrain and the availability of food, water and accommodation/shelter. There is also invaluable practical information such as path conditions, what to take, and getting to/from and around Corsica. Overviews of the history and geology of the island and local plants and wildlife are offered to enhance the trekking experience. Finally, a separate map booklet, included with the guide, provides all the 1:25,000 IGN mapping needed to complete the GR20.

Starting in Corsica's northwest, in picturesque Calinzana, the route winds southeast through the heart of the island, finishing on the eastern side, just north of Porto Vecchio in the township of Conca. It showcases Corsica's rich diversity of landscapes and ethereal beauty. Bare rock and sheer cliffs contrast with black sand beaches, alpine pastures, maquis and pockets of forest. There are also opportunities to detour from the route to visit traditional mountain towns and villages for a taste of Corsica's vibrant history and culture and to take in neighbouring summits, including the island's highest peak, Monte Cinto. For those up to the challenge of hiking part or all of the route, the GR20 promises adventure, memorable experiences and rich rewards.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

Geology

Brief history

Getting to Corsica

Getting around Corsica

Getting to the GR20

When to trek

How to trek

Maps

Mountain weather

Path conditions

Mountain rescue

What to take

Services along the route

Food, drink and fuel

Language

Currency

Using this guide

Plants and wildlife on Corsica

Maquis

Trees

Flowers

Wildlife

The GR20

Stage 1A Calinzana to Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu (high-level)

Stage 1B Calinzana to Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu (low-level)

Excursion Ascent of Monte Corona from Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu

Stage 2A Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu to Refuge de Carozzu (high-level)

Stage 2B Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu to Refuge de Carozzu (low-level)

Stage 3 Refuge de Carozzu to Ascu Stagnu

Stage 4 Ascu Stagnu to Auberge U Vallone

Link route Auberge U Vallone to Albertacce

Stage 5 Auberge U Vallone to Hôtel Castel di Vergio

Excursion Ascent of Paglia Orba from Refuge de Ciutullu di I Mori

Stage 6 Hôtel Castel di Vergio to Refuge de Manganu

Link route Bergerie de Vaccaghja to Corti

Link route Refuge de Manganu to Soccia

Stage 7 Refuge de Manganu to Refuge de Petra Piana

Link route Brèche de Capitellu or Bocca a Soglia to Bergeries de Grottelle

Excursion Ascent of Monte Ritondu from Refuge de Petra Piana

Stage 8A Refuge de Petra Piana to Refuge de l’Onda (low-level)

Stage 8B Refuge de Petra Piana to Refuge de l’Onda (high-level)

Link route Bergerie de Tolla to Tattone and Vizzavona

Stage 9A Refuge de l’Onda to Vizzavona (low-level)

Stage 9B Refuge de l’Onda to Vizzavona (high-level)

Stage 10 Vizzavona to Bergeries d’E Capanelle

Link route La Foce to Bocca Palmentu

Stage 11A Bergeries d’E Capanelle to Bocca di Verdi (low-level)

Stage 11B Bergeries d’E Capanelle to Bocca di Verdi (high-level)

Stage 12 Bocca di Verdi to Refuge d’Usciolu

Link route Refuge d’Usciolu to Cuzzà

Stage 13 Refuge d’Usciolu to Refuge de Matalza

Link route Tignosellu to Zicavu

Link route Zicavu to Refuge de Matalza

Stage 14 Refuge de Matalza to Refuge d’Asinau

Alt Stage 13/14 Refuge d’Usciolu to Refuge d’Asinau (variant)

Stage 15A Refuge d’Asinau to Bavedda (low-level)

Stage 15B Refuge d’Asinau to Bavedda (high-level)

Stage 16 Bavedda to Conca

Appendix A Facilities along the route (Calinzana to Conca)

Appendix B Facilities along the route (Conca to Calinzana)

Appendix C Accommodation list

Appendix D Basic language notes

Appendix E Useful contacts

Appendix F The Cirque de la Solitude

Maps

Maps

The route of the GR20 is well marked throughout. While walking without maps can never be recommended, it is true to say that the waymarking is so good that trekkers might never need to refer to a map for directions. However, this would mean walking in complete isolation from the surroundings, never knowing the names of nearby mountains and valleys, never knowing in advance the shape of the terrain, and never knowing of other route options. To walk without a map is to walk with no real knowledge of your surroundings.

The best maps of the route are produced by the IGN (Institut Géographique National) at a scale of 1:25,000. The map booklet that accompanies this guide shows the route of the GR20 on these maps.

If you wish to carry the paper maps as well, six sheets are needed to cover the entire route, as follows:

4149 OT Calvi 4250 OT Corte and Monte Cinto 4251 OT Monte d’Oro and Monte Rotondo 4252 OT Monte Renoso and Bastelica 4253 OT Petreto-Bicchisano and Zicavo 4253 ET Aiguilles de Bavella and Solenzara

These maps have blue covers and belong to a series known as Top 25. Order them in advance of your visit from map suppliers such as Stanfords (7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9FA, tel 020 7836 1321, www.stanfords.co.uk), The Map Shop (15 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn WR8 0HJ, tel 01684 593146, www.themapshop.co.uk) or Cordee (tel 1455 611 185, www.cordee.co.uk).

The wonderfully compact Didier Richard map of the GR20, using IGN mapping at a scale of 1:50,000, covers the entire route on a single sheet and includes plenty of mountainous terrain off-route. The ISBN is 978-2-344-00043-4, and it is readily available at airport shops, tourist information offices and many other outlets around Corsica. The IGN Mini Corse map, which covers the whole of Corsica at a scale of 1:250,000, is handy to refer to if making long bus or train journeys around Corsica. IGN mapping at all scales can be viewed online at Géoportail, www.geoportail.gouv.fr.

The maps in this guidebook are at a scale of 1:50,000. The gradient profiles provide an immediate visual appreciation of all the ups and downs along the way.

Updates

November 2023

Alternative Stage 13/14

This used to be the 'main' route of the GR20, but several years ago a longer route was marked in order to offer trekkers places to find accommodation, food and drink. This stage was 'closed', but it remained popular with trekkers, so it was waymarked afresh and has seen regular use for many years.

It has now been 'closed' again, due to the loss of a footbridge spanning the Ruisseau de Furcinchesu. Apart from the waymarks having been covered in grey paint between Bocca di l'Agnonu and Monte Alcudina, the route itself can still be walked if anyone chooses to do so, and the Ruisseau de Furchinchesu is easily forded in normal conditions of flow. Clearly, the park authorities would prefer trekkers to follow the 'main' waymarked route.

June 2023

Booking accommodation

It is now mandatory to book and pay for all stays at PRNC refuges prior to arrival via their website (whether you wish to stay in the dormitory, a hired tent or even in your own tent). See https://www.pnr.corsica/?intro... for details.

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Paddy Dillon

Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and guidebook writer, with over 100 guidebooks to his name and contributions to 40 other titles. He has written for several outdoor magazines and other publications and has appeared on radio and television.Paddy uses a tablet computer to write as he walks. His descriptions are therefore precise, having been written at the very point at which the reader uses them.Paddy is an indefatigable long-distance walker who has walked all of Britain's National Trails and several European trails. He has also walked in Nepal, Tibet, Korea and the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the US. Paddy is a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild and President of the Backpackers Club.

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