GR20 - La montagne Corse

Description

  1. Length of trail 200 km, 124 miles
  2. Length in days 16 days
  3. Start of trail Calenzana
  4. End of trail Conca
  5. Traildino grading DW, Difficult walk, bushwalk
  6. Hut tour grading T3, Demanding mountain walk

GR20, CorsicaGR20 , Calenzana - Conca, the travers of Corsica, 200 km, two weeks

You've hit on a very popular walk: the GR20. This trail follows the high ridges of mountainous Corsica, an astounding wild and beautiful landscape, dramatically changing from day to day. The GR20 is rewarding and enjoys universal admiration.

The trail is said to be the hardest of the Grand Randonnées. Looking on the map you will be surprised why you need two weeks to cover this small distance. The hardships are many: steep, often smooth plates, tricky in wet weather. Other sections need the help of your hands. Whenever necessary, you will find cables. Another problem is that you won't find many shops. Actually, if you don't like to descent to villages for provisions, you have only one shop halfway, in Vizzavona. This is also the first road you cross in one week time! Therefore, you have to carry food for a week.

Water in late summer can be difficult to find. You must take enough bottles or whatever to carry your water supply for a day.

The weather is probably best in spring, but you will have some patches of snow. From july to september thunderstorms develop in late afternoon. And it is hot! October is more calm, less hikers, but also dry. 

One point on the downside must be noted here: the shamefully ill-conditioned facilities. Maybe you don't mind; fine for you. Camping or bivouac is forbidden anywhere but near the "huts" (sometimes "shack" is a better word) and there you will hardly find a place to pitch your tent but you will still have to pay. There is almost no food in the huts, often no meals, frequently no light, maybe one gas-burner for the entire overcrowded hut. We do not know if the situation has improved the last years. From 2009 onwards a reservation system has been introduced, also for camping. This is barely a solution for the bad welcome you get anyhow.

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Opinions

Rate 9.3 | 4 votes | No 3. in France
  • pc22 August 2009
  • Rate 8
  • Positive demanding trail.....wild camped often, found that once it got late the crowds disappeared and I had the route to myself.....really hot but had streams and pools to cool off in
  • Negative they were changing the rules the year I went and you now are supposed to sign in with the rangers your intent to walk and give a rough itinerary, you are also supposed to pre book huts (though the hut owners do not like or want this system). Wild camping is technically not allowed, but I had no problems. In short too many rules now I walk to get away from all that.....still a great walk though
  • Michael July 2012
  • Rate 10
  • Positive The GR20 is an excellent experience and lives up to it's reputation of being the hardest Trail in Europe. The water is crystal clear and clean enough to drink straight from the source. The locals were amazing and greeted you like one of the family. The Refuges were well kept, all facilities in working order in a healthy, clean and tidy environment. The Views were needless to say, ... Spectacular.
  • Negative Took me 4 weeks to recover my knee caps, though this is more about my not being physically prepared enough for the venture. You really need to be physically fit and capable of ascending and descending over rocky terrain all day long with a back pack on.
  • Troncquo June 2012
  • Rate 10
  • Positive Technical, demanding hike. many different landscapes. Tough hike!
  • Negative very expensive to buy food at the refuges.
  • Henk Nouws October 2002
  • Rate 9
  • Positive This trail lives up to its promise. The mountains are rugged, but still this is a walking trail. In places you need your hands, and elsewhere there may be rather exposed and slippery rock faces. It's a delight.
  • Negative Due to it's popularity, too many people want to walk this trail, and the facilities are not in line with this. The huts are terrible and overcrowded - even in october - and camping facilities are even worse, if they exist at all.
More opinions…

Map

Map of GR20

Hike Reports

  • GR 20 North

  • Troncquo June 2012
  • Most demanding hike I ever did, but also one of the most beautifull...
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More hike reports…

Books

De Zwerver
Netherlands
2012
  • Cicerone walking the GR20 The High Level Route / Corsica |
  • Engelstalige beschrijving van de mooiste wandeltocht op Corsica. De gids voldoet aan alle verwachtingen die je kunt hebben. Wel heb je voor de zwaardere gedeelte voor de zekerheid goede kaarten nodig ...... The GR20, on the mountainous Mediterranean island of Corsica, is reputated to be the toughest waymarked trail in Europe. This ambitious... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Cicerone Press , United Kingdom
  • eBooks.de, Germany
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2012
  • GR20: Corsica
  • Guidebook to walking Corsica's GR20, known as the toughest GR route in Europe. It makes a complete traverse through the high mountains, sometimes with hands-on scrambling. Covering 190km, the GR20 can be completed by fit walkers in about two weeks. The guide includes high- and low-level alternatives, plus extra mountain climbs. Read more
eBooks.de
Germany
2012
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2012
» Click to close
IGN
France
2012
  • À travers la montagne corse - 067
  • Guide FFRandonnée À travers la montagne corse. GR20, 200 km de sentiers GR.Traversée Nord-Sud : 16 jours de rando sportive, de Calenzana à Conca.Des grandes plages de Balagne aux eaux bleues du Valinco, depuis Calenzana (nord-ouest) jusqu’à Conca (sud-est), le GR® 20 épouse le relief... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2012
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eBooks.de
Germany
2012
  • Also available from:
  • Buch.de, Germany
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Buch.de
Germany
2012
  • Korsika - GR 20
  • Korsika ist ein Traumziel für Wanderer und Trekker - Berge und Meer sind ganz nah beieinander und ein dichtes Wegenetz durchzieht die Insel. Der GR 20 ist der bekannteste Wanderweg Korsikas und nebenbei auch einer der berühmtesten Fernwanderwege Europas. Die 180 km lange Route durchquert die Mittelmeerinsel entlang dem Gebirgskamm von Calenzana... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2012
  • Wandelgids Korsika GR20 - Corsica | Rother verlag |
  • Uitstekende beschrijvingen van deze steeds populairder wordende tocht! Met alle noodzakelijke info. Zie voor beschrijving de duitse tekst hieronder .... Alle Etappen – mit Einstiegen, Gipfeln und Varianten 192 Seiten mit 95 Farbabbildungen 54 Höhenprofile, 51 Wanderkärtchen im Maßstab 1:50.000 und 1:75.000, eine Übersichtskarte Korsika... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2008
  • Wandelgids Corsica Trekking GR20 | |Trailblazer | David Abram
  • Goede wandelgids van de hele route van Calenzana naar Conca. Met veel detail zijn alle etappes beschreven. Tevens informatie over overnachtingen en highlights van de stadjes op Corsica. A mountain range rising from the sea, Corsica holds the most arrestingly beautiful landscapes in the Mediterranean. From its cobalt blue gulfs and shell-sand... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2008
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eBooks.de
Germany
eBooks.de
Germany
eBooks.de
Germany
Buch.de
Germany
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.ch, Switzerland
  • eBooks.de, Germany
» Click to open
Bol.ch
Switzerland
eBooks.de
Germany
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

IGN
France
2012
  • À travers la montagne corse - 067
  • Guide FFRandonnée À travers la montagne corse. GR20, 200 km de sentiers GR.Traversée Nord-Sud : 16 jours de rando sportive, de Calenzana à Conca.Des grandes plages de Balagne aux eaux bleues du Valinco, depuis Calenzana (nord-ouest) jusqu’à Conca (sud-est), le GR® 20 épouse le relief... Read more
IGN
France
2011
  • Tours dans la Montagne du Haut-Languedoc - 3481
  • Guide FFRandonnée Guide FFRandonnée Tours dans la Montagne du Haut-Languedoc - 3481 - PR 10 balades, GR Pays, 188 km de sentiers GR20 jours de randonnée pour découvrir les derniers contreforts du Massif central tout près de la Méditerranée.Au cœur du Parc naturel régional du... Read more
eBooks.de
Germany
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
  • IGN, France
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
IGN
France
  • N°09 Corse du Sud
  • Des cartes du 1:35 000 au 1:60 000, sur fond IGN, enrichies d'informations touristiques et de randonnée, accompagnées parfois d'un guide de randonnées.Partez à la découverte de ces territoires où il fait bon séjourner ! Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Corsica South
  • Southern Corsica in a series of contoured, GPS compatible hiking maps from Libris/Editions Didier Richard on a base derived from IGN Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Corsica South
  • Southern Corsica in a series of contoured, GPS compatible hiking maps from Libris/Editions Didier Richard on a base derived from IGN Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Corsica South
  • Southern Corsica in a series of contoured, GPS compatible hiking maps from Libris/Editions Didier Richard on a base derived from IGN Read more
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IGN
France
  • Itinéraires de Découverte : la Corse Par Chemins et Sentiers
  • Sentier des douaniers musardant le long des rivages, escaliers et rues pavées à l'assaut des citadelles et des villages perchés, chemins muletiers bravant le maquis... balades d'une heure et randonnées au long cours, des marines préservées du cap Corse aux collines de Balagne, des villages... Read more
More maps…

Walking holidays

Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Corsica GR20 South
  • Self guided trek along the GR20 South through Corsica. In order to embark on this classic GR20 South trek you will be need to be a seasoned walker. You will be amazed by the scenery which includes views across to the Italian island of Elba. This route was first established in 1972 so that hikers could discover Corsica’s beautiful and... Read more
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20 NORD, DE VIZZAVONA A ASCO
  • De Vizzavona à Asco, la partie nord de ce sentier désormais mythique franchit les cols les plus élevés, longe de nombreux lacs glaciaires, court au pied des montagnes dressées en d’infranchissables barrières qu’il a fallu équiper de chaînes et d’échelles pour en... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20 NORD, DE VIZZAVONA A ASCO
  • De Vizzavona à Asco, la partie nord de ce sentier désormais mythique franchit les cols les plus élevés, longe de nombreux lacs glaciaires, court au pied des montagnes dressées en d’infranchissables barrières qu’il a fallu équiper de chaînes et d’échelles pour en... Read more
» Click to close
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20, LES PLUS BELLES ETAPES
  • Cette version “édulcorée” du GR 20 s’attache davantage à la découverte, avec un niveau de difficulté modéré. Une sélection d’étapes dans le sud et le centre Corse pour apprécier les plus beaux passages de cette randonnée mythique, et profiter... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20, LES PLUS BELLES ETAPES
  • Cette version “édulcorée” du GR 20 s’attache davantage à la découverte, avec un niveau de difficulté modéré. Une sélection d’étapes dans le sud et le centre Corse pour apprécier les plus beaux passages de cette randonnée mythique, et profiter... Read more
» Click to close
Allibert trekking
France
  • L'INTEGRALE DU GR20
  • Pour les amoureux des grands espaces et des grandes randonnées, le GR 20 est sans conteste un incontournable. Elevé au rang de parcours le plus difficile d’Europe, il se distingue surtout par la beauté des paysages et sa situation géographique, au cœur de l’île. Du sud vers le nord, le... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • L'INTEGRALE DU GR20
  • Pour les amoureux des grands espaces et des grandes randonnées, le GR 20 est sans conteste un incontournable. Elevé au rang de parcours le plus difficile d’Europe, il se distingue surtout par la beauté des paysages et sa situation géographique, au cœur de l’île. Du sud vers le nord, le... Read more
» Click to close
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20 SUD, DE BAVELLA A VIZZAVONA
  • D’un accès plus facile, la partie sud du GR 20 traverse des paysages très variés, depuis les aiguilles de Bavella, au relief escarpé et alpin, jusqu’au plateau du Cuscionu, aux formes plus douces. Terres de transhumance, la présence de nombreuses bergeries témoigne de l’importance de... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • GR20 SUD, DE BAVELLA A VIZZAVONA
  • D’un accès plus facile, la partie sud du GR 20 traverse des paysages très variés, depuis les aiguilles de Bavella, au relief escarpé et alpin, jusqu’au plateau du Cuscionu, aux formes plus douces. Terres de transhumance, la présence de nombreuses bergeries témoigne de l’importance de... Read more
» Click to close
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Complete Corsica GR20 Self Guided Walking Holiday
  • Self guided trek along the complete GR20 through Corsica. Immerse yourself in the remote and wild landscapes of Corsica by embarking on the GR20, an ambitious and challenging long-distance footpath. This trail will suit only those who are in good physical shape. However, the rewards are endless as not only do you pass close by snow-capped... Read more
Allibert trekking
France
  • MARE A MARE SUD
  • A l’extrême sud de la Corse, le massif de l’Alta Rocca et les célèbres aiguilles de Bavella attire le randonneur amateur de paysages alpins. Au programme, haltes dans des villages entièrement bâtis de granit et rencontres avec le monde rural très enraciné. Ce chemin, qui traverse la... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • MARE A MARE SUD
  • A l’extrême sud de la Corse, le massif de l’Alta Rocca et les célèbres aiguilles de Bavella attire le randonneur amateur de paysages alpins. Au programme, haltes dans des villages entièrement bâtis de granit et rencontres avec le monde rural très enraciné. Ce chemin, qui traverse la... Read more
» Click to close
Sawadee
Netherlands
  • CORSICA: THE GR20
  • The Grand Randonnee (GR) 20, also known as 'Fra li Monti' among the Corsicans, is arguably the finest and toughest waymarked trail in Europe. Established in 1972 by the Regional Natural Reserve of Corsica to allow walking enthusiasts to discover the beautiful interior of Corsica, this path has grown in popularity every year. Nowadays the people... Read more
Allibert trekking
France
  • LE RAID DU GR 20
  • Un retour à l’esprit originel de ce parcours hors norme. Pendant 14 jours, vous vivrez une expérience riche au cœur de la “haute montagne” insulaire. Encadré par les meilleurs de nos accompagnateurs en montagne, qui mettront toute leur passion et leur compétence à votre service, vous... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Allibert trekking, France
» Click to open
Allibert trekking
France
  • LE RAID DU GR 20
  • Un retour à l’esprit originel de ce parcours hors norme. Pendant 14 jours, vous vivrez une expérience riche au cœur de la “haute montagne” insulaire. Encadré par les meilleurs de nos accompagnateurs en montagne, qui mettront toute leur passion et leur compétence à votre service, vous... Read more
» Click to close
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • Corsica GR20 North
  • Self guided trek along the GR20 North through Corsica. By embarking on the GR20 North route in Corsica, an ambitious long-distance footpath, you will be immersing yourself in remote and wild landscapes. This trail will suit only those who are in good physical shape. However, the rewards are endless as not only do you pass close by snow-capped... Read more
More walking holidays…

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