The GR20 crosses the island diagonally following the high granite barrier of mountains that form the natural boundary between the two departments of Corsica. The trail offers some fantastic scenery, along with an insight into the authentic and traditional working mountain community. We may meet the last of the shepherds that still follow the age-old lifestyle of the transhumance, where by they pass the summer months with their flocks on the high fresh airy pastures and the winters down by the coast.
LEVEL : Very athletic | SEASON : Summer | DURATION : 13 days | PRICE : 1290 € / person
Programme of the trek
Niveau : Very athletic
Day 1 - Sunday: You meet your guide in Ajaccio early in the morning. Transfer to the Bavella pass. We walk along the alpine variant to pass through the heart of the Bavella massif. We are surrounded by peaks and ravines and the view is magnificent. Night at the Refuge d’Asinao
Duration: 4h00 / Up : +810m / Down: -410m / 6,7 km
Day 2 - Monday: We take the trail that leads up to the summit of Alcudina (2134m), our first summit above 2000m. The landscape becomes smoother while traversing the Plateau du Cuscionu. Night at the shepherds hut of Bassetta or I Crocci. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 5h30 / Up : +710m / Down : -900m / 12,3 km
Day 3 - Tuesday: We leave the plateau and joins Arête des statues (the statues ridge). We find our way between these strange granit boulders shaped by the wind. Night at refuge d’Usciolu.
Duration: 4h30 / Up : +630m / Down: -210m / 8,4 km.
Day 4 - Wednesday: We still walk on the ridge and overlook the Mediterranean sea. This long and great day leads us to the Verde Pass. On the way, we climb Punta Capella (2041 m). Night at the refuge de Prati or at the lodge Col de Verde. Access to the following baggage if night at Col de Verde
Duration: 7h00 / Up : +790m / Down: -1240m / 14,5 km
Day 5 - Thursday: We pass through some idyllic spots and visit remote stone shepherds huts. We walk between the surprising water holes of Pozzi du Renoso and continue easily to our lodge. Night at the lodge of Capanelle. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 6h00 / Up : +850m / Down: -520m / 18,6 km
Day 6 - Friday: By and old mule track, we arrive at the Palmente pass (1640 m). We enjoy the magnificent scenery on Diana's and Urbino's ponds and a beautiful view to the east coast. Descent through Vizzavona beech grove. Night at the lodge of Vizzavona. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 5h00 / Up : +220m / Down: -890m / 15,3 km
Day 7 - Saturday: We walk up along the Agnone river and reach Punta Muratellu (2141 m). After this long and steep slope, the view on the highest peaks is a good reward for our efforts. We descend to the refuge de l’Onda that we can see far underneath. Night at refuge de l'Onda
Duration: 6h40 / Up: +1220 m / Down : -710 m / 11,8 km
Day 8 - Sunday: Depending on the weather conditions we follow the exposed ridge of Pinzi Corbini (2021m) or we walk down to the Manganellu river that we follow upwards ; Plenty of bathing possibilities. A last steep slope and we join the small refuge de Petra Piana. Night at refuge de Petra Piana
Duration: 5h15 / Up: +900 m / Down: -490 m / 10,2 km
Day 9 - Monday: We first walk up to the Haute Route pass (2206 m) and then we follow the edge that overlooks the Melu and Capitellu lakes. After the Bocca a e Porte notch (2225 m) we go down a wild valley to the refuge de Manganu and continue easily to the shepherds hut Vaccaghja. Night at shepherds hut Vaccaghja.
Duration: 6h00 / Up : +630m / Down: -890m / 11,3 km
Day 10 - Tuesday: We walk easily through a beech grove and reach the Ninu lake surrounded by green lawns. From the top of Capu a u Tozzu (2007m) we have a fantastic panorama to the Niolu valley and the next stages. Night at the lodge Castel de Vergio. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 5h30 / Up : +350m / Down: -550m / 13,8 km
Day 11 - Wednesday: We penetrate the volcanic massif of Monte Cintu-Paglia Orba. The first part of the stage is easy along the Golu river. After the Foggiale pass the terrain becomes steeper and looser. Good bathing possibilities at the end of the stage. Night at Shepherds hut Ballone or at refuge de Tighjettu.
Duration: 6h00 / Up : +730m / Down: -720m / 13,4 km
Day 12 - Thursday: An impressive and strenuous day in high mountains. We walk up the Crucetta valley to the top of pointe des Eboulis (2600m). Depending of the weather and the physical shape of the group we climb the Monte Cintu (2706m), highest mountain of Corsica. Night at the lodge Le Chalet at Ascu Stagnu. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 6h00 / Up : +850m / Down: -520m / 8,9 km
Day 13 - Friday: A short but steep slope leads us to the Muvrella pass and we descend the deep Spasimata valley surrounded by sharp peaks. Some exposed passages on slabs are equipped with chains. The Mediterranean plants appear again, temperature rises and the trail flattens out; a sweet end off our trip. Arrival in Bonifatu and transfer to Calvi. Access to the following baggage
Duration: 7h00 / Up : +680m / Down: -1530m / 9,6 km
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
PRICE :
1290 € per person
Group from 6 to 12 persons per guideACCOMODATION :
In refuges, sheepfolds and shelters
TRAINING :
By a mountain guide (groupe de 12 personnes maximum par accompagnateur)
FOLLOWING BAGGAGE :
You must always carry in your rucksack hot clothing, a rainwear, one gourd, an emergency case and your personal objects without forgetting part of the picnic. The baggage of assistance (the following baggage) is transferred by our assistance which you find certain evenings with lodgings accessible by road. It contains the businesses necessary to your stay (does not have to exceed 12 kg).
Departures 2018 :
Every week from the end of May* to middle of September
This price includes:
- The take in charge in the place of the appointment
- Transfers
- The full board
- The training by a mountain guide
- The transfer of the luggage between the accommodations (as detailed in “Assistance”)
This price does not include/understand:
- Personal expenses, drinks
- The insurances cancellation and repatriation
- All is not written in "this price include"
