Complete one of the most spectacular long-distance hikes in Europe, guided by an International Mountain Leader
Hike the GR20 in Corsica, one of the most beautiful mountain treks in the world. Over 13 days, we hike 110mi (180km) in mountainous terrain, rising from the Mediterranean Sea to granite peaks topping 8,530ft (2,600m). Rather than take the classic north-to-south route, we head in the opposite direction, with the sun on our backs, a quieter trail, and the toughest legs at the end of the trip. You won’t be doing it alone either. The adventure is guided by an experienced International Mountain Leader with expert knowledge on the route and you’ll be part of a small group of like-minded hikers ready with words of encouragement.
Highlights
Complete the GR20, considered the toughest, most beautiful mountain trek in Europe
Hike from south to north, the quieter direction of travel and with the sun behind us
Benefit from the skills, support and guidance of an International Mountain Leader
Recover with five nights in hotels sleeping in a double or twin room
Enjoy more comfort with luggage transported to the accommodation wherever possible
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Itinerary
Conca
Bastia
Day
1
Start Conca
The adventure begins in Conca, a one-time shepherd village among forested hills, and the southern start point of the GR20. There’s time to settle into our accommodation before an evening meal with the group, where we get to know each other a little better before our hiking starts tomorrow.
Accommodation: Gîte San Pasquale (or similar)
Meals included: Dinner
Day
2
Conca to Bavella
The first hiking day is tough, a good introduction to the pace and challenge ahead. The trail leads uphill from Conca, following an ancient herders’ route through a rocky landscape of granite blocks and pines. The route continues to the Paliri refuge, then crosses the Finosa col before arriving at the hamlet of Bavella, below the Bavella Needles, great granite spikes that create a rocky ridge. We spend the night in dorms, resting after a challenging first day.
Accommodation: Auberge du Col de Bavella (or similar)
Before dawn, we take the Alpine Variant trail, which leads steeply uphill before passing the base of several granite pinnacles. Plunge into the valley before following an easy route through woods towards the Asinao refuge, before heading steeply up to the magnificent ridgeline of Monte Alcudina.
We then leave the high ground and head down towards the Cuscionu plateau, the largest on the island. We sleep in dorms at a shepherds’ cabin on the edge of the plateau.
Pick up the trail on the plateau and cross the open green pasture with streams and little water holes. We then make our way uphill through an old forest of dwarf oak trees up to the Col de l’Agnone. From here, we start one of the best ridge hikes in Corsica; it is very exposed, the trail is tricky and you may find it difficult to imagine that there’s a way through. A real adventure!
The trail runs back and forth over the ridge, before we drop to the village of Cozzano, a hive of activity in the heart of the mountains.
From the refuge, continue along a ridge separating the valley of Taravo and the village of Fiumorbu, after which the trail plunges towards the Col de Laparo. We pass the GR refuge, Prati, where we can stop to enjoy rooftop views of the island. It is sometimes possible to see the Italian islands of Elba and Montecristo. The descent winds rapidly, in and out of the forest, to our destination at the Col de Verde.
Accommodation: Relais San Petru di Verde (or similar)
The trail rolls gently today and mainly contours through a forest of lariccio pine trees, a symbol of the island. Today’s hike traverses the flanks of the dominating mountain, Monte Renosu. We continue to Bocca Palmente; on a clear day, the views are exceptional, the looming massifs of the Monte d’Oro and the Rotondu towering above. Drop down into a thick forest of pine and beech trees for a relaxing descent, the trail loops back and forth down to Vizzavona, the midway point of the GR20.
Today we start the northern section of the GR20. We typically embark on a steady ascent to the Brêche de Muratellu, taking the path running alongside the Cascade des Anglais up to Muratellu, affording stunning views of the Monte Rotondu. This high-level route follows the ridge, via the summit of Pinzi Corbini to Petra Piana refuge. This is a short but challenging ridge section, steep and exposed.
In bad weather, there is an alternative lower valley option, which heads directly to Petra Piana.
Tonight we camp near the Petra Piana refuge without access to our bags.
From Petra Piana, a short uphill section takes us to the high ridge above the refuge. The trail is rocky, almost lunar in ambiance. You pass a mountain col and continue the high route. The views are spectacular with Corte, the one-time capital of the island, in the distance and a series of wonderful glacier lakes to discover. From the small clearing above Lake Capitello, we plunge downhill to Manganu refuge on the edge of the Camputile plateau. We camp tonight without access to our bags.
Go gently uphill, a relaxing walk through beech woods and across the green spongy turf to Lac de Nino, where we have a snack and relax on the lake’s banks. This glacier lake is in a sheltered spot, surrounded by spongy peat, with runnels of water and wells, ideal grazing ground for ponies and other animals in summer.
We drop down at the Col St Pierre to join a flat horseshoe-shaped trail to Castel di Vergio, a small ski station. At our hotel, we are reunited with our bags and a chance to refresh our backpacks.
Accommodation: Hotel Castel di Vergio (or similar)
The GR20 follows the Golu torrent stream up the valley towards its source. Midway up the valley, the route crosses the torrent, a good place to relax on smooth sunbaked rocks and swim (if you’re feeling brave).
The trail leaves the valley floor and heads up to the ridgeline. From here, there are clear views of the west coast villages. The Ciottulu di i Mori refuge, the highest in Corsica, is situated between two daunting mountains: Tafanatu and Paglia Orba. From the refuge, the GR20 falls steeply downhill to Vallone. We camp tonight without access to our bags.
Today is a tough, high-altitude mountain hike. Make your way uphill progressively to the foothills of Monte Cinto, the highest summit on the island. The climb is steep, rocky and slow. After a couple of hours, we arrive at Bocca Crucetta, a ridge that leads to the Pointe des Eboulis; at 8,560ft (2,610m), this is the highest point on the GR20 and the view is spectacular.
From here, the path plunges to a small lake on the other side. The trail continues downhill, the scree and rocks giving way to a river and woods as we approach the old ski station of Haut Asco and we are reunited with our bags.
From the ski station, a superb ascent takes us to Bocca di Stagnu at the foot of the Muvrella peak. From Lake Muvrella, the view over Calvi bay is incredible. From here, we head down to the refuge at Carrozzu, which is surrounded by box trees and enjoys great sunsets. We camp here without access to our bags.
The first part of our hike is spectacular, as we enter a semi-circle of high mountains known as the Cirque de Bonifatu. The trail works around its edge offering panoramic views of the highest Corsican peaks.
The second half of our day sees us crossing an easier basin area dotted with woodland before arriving at the beautifully situated refuge at Orto di Pobbiu, where we camp without access to our bags.
Accommodation: Ortu di u Piobbu refuge (or similar)
Our final hiking day is varied and spectacular, from granite mountains to thick dense forests and low-level maquis scrub. The views over the coastline and the Balagne region are superb before we arrive at the bustling village of Calenzana, which is a hive of activity with GR20 hikers. There will be time for high fives and a photo or two to celebrate an incredible achievement, before we catch our transfer (two hours) to Bastia and a meal tonight where we can celebrate our achievements.
Our adventure ends after breakfast, and we begin our return journeys home. The airport is just a 20-minute walk from the hotel, and taxis are available upon request. Speak to your sales representative if you’d like to extend your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip is graded Activity Level 7 (Tough). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Hikes: This is a mountainous area, so all trails have plenty of ascents and descents. We hike between five and 10 hours per day.
Maximum daily distance: 16mi (26km)
Maximum daily ascent: 4,921ft (1,500m)
Preparation: This is one of our toughest treks, a real challenge for experienced hikers, so those new to mountain hiking should opt for a different adventure. It is essential you prepare for it properly. We recommend at least three sessions a week of aerobic exercise and regular hill hiking. It is good to get in some hill hikes on rough, uneven terrain to build ankle strength. Train to hike downhill, getting used to knowing where to put your feet. Aim to progress your downhills at a reasonable pace, two walking poles will reduce the impact on your legs.
Terrain: The GR20 is well maintained and waymarked. Even so, paths are rocky and hiking boots with good ankle support and tread are essential. You need experience of scrambling as there are some chained sections to navigate. Also, due to exposed areas, this trip is not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo.
Accommodation: The sleeping arrangements are very basic on the GR20. Please see the Accommodation for more information.
Luggage: To help you on your journey, a vehicle transports your luggage, so you have access to it every night in the south, and every two to three nights in the north. This means you do not have access to your main luggage on nights 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13. On these days, you must carry your sleeping bag and personal belongings in a backpack, so you have access to your essentials in the refuges, which are not accessible by road.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Gîte San Pasquale, Francescoli, 20135 Conca, France Phone: +33 4 95 10 47 30 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Bastia Airport (BIA)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 2hr 30min drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
The end hotel is a 20-minute walk from the airport or it is possible to arrange a taxi locally, which is a two-minute journey.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Conca Location end: Bastia
Vaccinations and Health
France
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
The trip includes all breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners.
Typical meals are:
Breakfast: A simple Continental spread of tea, coffee, milk, long-life bread, butter and jam
Lunch: Picnics made of rice, pasta, lentils, couscous salad – please bring a Tupperware container
Evening meals: Based on local specialties with a starter, soup or smoked meats, main course or pasta/rice with a sauce, cheese, a fruit or a sweet pudding
If you have any food allergies, special requests or dietary requirements, please advise us at the time of booking. Food is limited for vegetarians, and special diets cannot be accommodated due to the remoteness of the trek.
Water: You can drink from springs en route. Spring water is generally safe to drink on the GR20, but care should be taken in drought periods and you should never drink from rivers or streams. We advise you to take purification tablets in case of emergencies.
Weather
Corsica has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and moderate dry, clear winters. The climate in the mountains is alpine rather than Mediterranean. Corsica is known for its microclimates, each valley can be different, with the proximity of the mountains and the sea often generating some stormy, unpredictable weather.
Corsica also has one of the highest sunshine records in France, with around 7hr 30min a day throughout the year, making it the ideal destination for active outdoor adventures. It should be noted that mountains see significant snow in winter, generally lasting into May on the highest slopes.
Please note, mountains can always make their own weather and, as a result, we may occasionally be forced to amend sections of the itinerary. For this reason, you need everything from swimwear and sunscreen to a warm layer and good quality waterproofs.
Hotels, camping and dorms
We have five nights in hotels, four nights in dorm rooms, and five nights camping in refuges.
GR20 accommodation is well-known to be basic and used by almost everyone completing the route − part of the adventurous nature of the trek. As the route stays high, the only options without leaving the trail are small refuges or bergeries (shepherd’s huts).
Refuge meals will be hearty and simple, for example, salad, soup, stew and bread and a desert. You sleep in shared bedrooms (often bunk beds with six or more per room) or larger dormitories. Expect simple separate male and female bathroom facilities. While all refuges are staffed, the level of cleanliness may be a little below expectations.
As many of these buildings are small and old, in some locations the guardians also provide tents to expand the sleeping capacity. These are likely to be simple two-person pop-up tents with foam sleeping matts provided. Bathroom facilities are shared and meals are taken in the main refuge.
Hotels
We also spend five nights in hotels, sleeping in twin or double rooms. Limited single rooms are available (for a supplement) but only for the hotel nights.
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Land Only Trip Price4 080 €
Book with 1 020 € deposit
Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement+516 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip Price3 960 €
Book with 990 € deposit
Book with 300 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement+516 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.