Book on MARE È MONTI® - MARE A MARE® - SENTIER DE LA TRANSHUMANCE®
Strenuous hikes without any particular difficulty, these hiking trails will allow you to discover Corsica in a different way.
Discovery Reservation CenterBook on GR®20 / FRA LI MONTI
A demanding mountain route, the GR®20 crosses Corsica from north to south, revealing all the wild beauty of the island.
GR®20 Reservation CenterThe stages of the GR®20
Étape 1 : Calenzana - Ortu di u Piobbu
One way: 6h30 - Return: 5h
The adventure begins in… Calenzana. This ancient shepherds' village with its vast and varied territory – 30 km of coastline, forests and valleys – is also the starting point of the GR20. It is in the upper part of the village, at the San'Antone fountain, that the route begins along an authentic mule track to the Ortiventi fountain, the last water point before reaching the Ortu di u Piobbu refuge… At mid-point, at 820 m altitude, a stop is essential at the Arghjova promontory which marks the beginning of a real physical challenge on an increasingly rugged trail that may require the use of hands… We have entered the heart of the matter… the famous white and red markers set the pace… The effort will be greatly rewarded at Bocca à u Saltu with an exceptional sea view enhanced by the tender green of the lawn offering the exhausted hiker a carpet of softness… 6h30 later, at 1520 m altitude, the Ortu di u Piobbu refuge welcomes the deserving hiker.
Étape 2 : Ortu di u Piobbu - Carrozzu
One way: 7h - Return: 5h
Fill your water bottles at the spring flowing among the alders above the stream because you won't find another drop of water until Carrozzu! The ascent to Bocca di Pisciaghja will take 3h30 and the route will reach 2020 m. Take the time to measure yourself against the immensity offered by the viewpoint of the gap… it's dizzying! If the first stage of this formidable adventure can be described as physical, the second will take you into a mineral era and you must not neglect the accident-prone nature of the area which can put your ankles to the test. Indeed, you will have to cross scree and rockfalls as well as a succession of small passes to Bocca d'Avartoli then Bocca di l'Innominata before starting a long descent that will lead you to the terrace of the Carrozzu refuge.
Étape 3 : Carozzu - Ascu Stagnu
One way: 6h10 - Return: 4h45
At the risk of repeating ourselves, know that this 3rd stage has no water along the entire route and don't be tempted by the water of Lake Muvrella – it is unfit for consumption! Did you enjoy the sea-view terrace of the Carrozzu refuge? Now launch yourself at the Spasimata footbridge, this 30-year-old suspension bridge rehabilitated by the PNRC will not disappoint thrill seekers… Don't hesitate to swim in the river thus crossed before starting the climb to Lake Muvrella then prepare yourself for the ascent of a rather steep corridor to reach the Bocca di Stagnu pass, the highest point of the stage (2010 m). Once the pass is crossed, and after a fairly steep descent, you will cross a forest of laricio pines, sometimes centuries-old trees, to reach the Haut Asco ski resort where the eponymous refuge is located.
Étape 4 : Ascu Stagnu - Tighjettu
One way: 8h - Return: 8h
Anyone who has envisioned the GR20 has inevitably dreamed of – or even feared – tackling the famous 'Cirque de la Solitude' ('E cascettoni' in Corsican), whose very name evokes the harshness of the terrain while provoking the desire to face the challenge, both athletic and mental. However, the cirque was the scene of a true tragedy on June 10, 2015: hikers lost their lives following major rockfalls combined with terrible weather; since then the stage has been unmarked and unequipped, and the site is closed to the public by prefectoral and municipal decree. The diversion then put in place has become the new official GR20 route, registered with the FFRP. It is also one of the most beautiful stages, testing bodies to the limit but offering breathtaking landscapes… On clear days you can see the Alps…
Étape 5 : Tighjettu - Ciottulu di i Mori
One way: 4h - Return: 4h
This is a short stage with no major difficulty; descending from Tighjettu you can swim in the Viru near the bergeries d'u Vallone before following a contour line through the forest for 1h30. After the Focce Chialla valley, a steep climb through rock bars will allow you to reach Bocca Fuciale located below the imposing east face of Paglia Orba. In 20 minutes you will have reached the Ciottulu di i Mori refuge at 1991 m altitude…
Étape 6 : Ciottulu di i Mori - Manganu
One way: 8h - Return: 8h
This is an extremely long stage but considered by our field agents as 'rolling'. If the northern stages are very technical, very jarring and have put your bodies and joints to the test, this portion will prove non-traumatic and all about progression. The descent follows the Golu and passes near the Tula bergeries. At the edge of Lake Ninu, the incomparable green of its pozzines, its horses, its wild expanse… everything will resonate within you as a call to freedom and you may begin to understand the passionate love every Corsican has for their land…
Étape 7 : Manganu - Petra Piana
One way: 6h30 - Return: 6h
The second most beautiful stage of the route, it is also technical and very mineral: back to rocks and a dry climb to Bocca alle Porte then ascent to the famous Brèche de Capitellu, which offers an extraordinary view of lakes Melu and Capitellu. While there is no major risk on the route, this is a 'Beautiful mountain stage' – meaning a demanding stage requiring constant attention.
Étape 8 : Petra Piana - L'Onda
One way: 4h50 - Return: 5h15
Two options are available: either through the valley following the GR which descends along the Manganellu river. It's a peaceful stage, walking through the lower forest and enjoying the natural pools and rock pools that tempt the hiker to swim at every turn. Or the ridge variant (note: the trail markers turn yellow!).
Étape 9 : L'Onda - Vizzavona
One way: 6h05 - Return: 6h40
This stage marks the end of the most mineral part of the trail. You will climb towards Bocca d'Oreccia then follow the watershed which ends with a steep ascent to Bocca Muratellu. From this pass you will have a 360° view of Corsica's highest peaks. You now enter the Vizzavona forest and will have the pleasure of swimming in the renowned Cascades des Anglais. That's it – you have completed the northern part of the GR20!
Étape 10 : Vizzavona - E Capanelle
One way: 5h15 - Return: 4h50
This first stage of the southern GR presents no particular technical difficulty! Make sure to follow the white and red trail markers that wind their way between the majestic Laricio pines and Beeches. Once Bocca Palmentu is reached, a clear view over the east of the island opens up to you along with a magnificent panorama of Monte d'Oru.
Étape 11 : E Capanelle - Prati
One way: 6h10 - Return: 6h
Your first hours of walking will be similar to the previous day; a patrol path still through Laricio pine forest to the Gialgone plateau. Bocca d'Oru… at last! This view over the sea and the islands of the Tuscan archipelago will leave you speechless… Located on a grassy plateau, this unparalleled bivouac area will offer you a sunrise over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Étape 12 : Prati - Usciolu
One way: 5h45 - Return: 6h30
Change of scenery – this mostly open stage begins with crossing a plateau then a climb will take you to Punta Cappella. This section of trail will have you traversing ridges from one valley to another, the Taravu side with its clear view to the Gulf of Valincu and the Fium'Orbu side with its view over the east coast.
(Warning: water shortage in July/August)
Étape 13 : Usciolu - Cuscionu
One way: 4h25 - Return: 5h
Your day's walk looks shorter but no less interesting! Head towards Bocca Suragheddu. A narrow ridge will be your route to Punta Scadatta, named the 'ridge of statues' because of the many bizarrely shaped rocks. After a refreshing pause at the spring, you will continue towards the renowned Cuscionu plateau. This vast 70,000 ha green expanse will allow you to discover endemic flora and diverse wildlife.
Étape 14 : Cuscionu - Asinao
One way: 4h15 - Return: 4h
Why not enjoy a little lie-in? Take time for breakfast while contemplating the wild horses… the pozzines… You will start your hike on a flat trail before continuing with a climb to Bocca Stazzunara. Two choices are available: either descend directly to the Asinau refuge, or extend the hike by 30 minutes to add a summit to your list… Alcudina! And its exceptional view over the Cuscionu plateau!
Étape 15 : Asinao - Paliri
One way: 7h - Return: 7h20
Why not be the first to rise? The calm and silence of the morning will surely allow you to spot mouflon at the start of the trail. Before you, two options to reach Foce di Bavedda: the classic GR or the alpine variant through the four majestic Bavella needles. After a short pause at the Notre-Dame des Neiges oratory, you will reach Foce Finosa where you will admire one last time the fairy-tale spectacle of the Bavella needles. The rest of the route follows a beautiful stone path to the Paliri refuge.
Étape 16 : Paliri - Conca
One way: 5h - Return: 6h15
After a peaceful evening reminiscing about the past 15 days, it is full of nostalgia but above all pride that you will begin your last day of walking. A long progressive descent awaits you through pine forest and maquis. The Punta Pinzuta stream will allow you to enjoy one last swim in fresh, cool water before finding the renowned fine sand beaches of the far south. You will pass hikers setting out to conquer the GR20 – with a broad smile, tired but happy, you will encourage them…
ARRIVAL IN CONCA: The challenge is met!! You have just completed the crossing of the GR20, one of the most difficult trails in Europe.
