The authentic full GR20 2027

Your GR20 adventure begins in Calenzana, a small Balagne village surrounded by olive groves and the traditional starting point of Corsica’s famous long-distance hiking trail. This morning, your taxi driver will meet you in Calvi and transfer you to the trailhead in Calenzana.

From the village, the trail gradually gains altitude as you make your way towards the Bonifatu Forest. The route takes you through the rugged landscapes of northern Corsica, with beautiful views over the surrounding Balagne villages along the way. This first stage is a great introduction to the GR20, allowing you to gradually immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery and mountain atmosphere of Corsica.

On reaching Bonifatu, settle into your mountain lodge and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by the forest.

Approx. 11 km – 4 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +700 m / descent: -450 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Bonifatu mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Leaving the Bonifatu Forest behind, you embark on one of the most demanding and spectacular stages of the GR20. The trail quickly gains altitude, leading through a rugged mountain environment with several river crossings along the way.

One of the highlights of the day is the famous Spasimata footbridge, followed by the route towards the Muvrella Valley, named after the Corsican mouflon. A small mountain lake lies at the heart of this impressive landscape, surrounded by rocky peaks and unspoilt wilderness. Magnificent views unfold throughout the hike as you make your way deeper into Corsica’s high mountains.

The trail then continues through this dramatic mountain scenery before reaching Haut Asco, a former ski resort nestled in the Cinto mountain range. This long and challenging stage is a true immersion into the wild landscapes of the northern GR20.

Approx. 9.5 km – 8 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +1,300 m / descent: -598 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Haut Asco mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Leaving Haut Asco behind, you continue your journey through the high mountains of Corsica towards Vallone. To bypass the currently closed Cirque de la Solitude, the route crosses the slopes of Monte Cinto before reaching the Pointe des Éboulis at 2,607 metres, the highest point on the GR20.

This challenging ascent is rewarded with breathtaking views across Corsica’s rugged peaks and valleys. You then begin the descent towards the small Mélarie Valley, a remote and peaceful area where you may be lucky enough to spot Corsican mouflon in their natural habitat.

At the end of the stage, you reach Vallone and its traditional shepherd’s hut, set beside a mountain stream in an unspoilt natural setting. Spend the evening surrounded by the tranquillity of the mountains and, weather permitting, enjoy an unforgettable view of the Corsican night sky.

Approx. 9 km – 8 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +1,200 m / descent: -800 m

Dinner and overnight stay in a tent at Vallone. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Today, your GR20 journey takes you through the Niolu, a spectacular mountain region in the heart of Corsica known for its rugged landscapes and authentic character.

The trail passes beneath the imposing peaks of Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu, two of the most recognisable landmarks in this section of the GR20. In clear weather, the high points of the route reveal breathtaking views stretching as far as the Gulf of Porto. You then descend towards the Golo Valley, following a remote and wonderfully unspoilt section of the Corsican mountains.

Along the way, a series of natural rock pools offers the perfect opportunity for a refreshing break before you continue towards Vergio and your mountain accommodation.

Approx. 14 km – 6 hours 15 minutes of hiking
Elevation gain: +975 m / descent: -1,020 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Vergio mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

After a relatively gentle start, the GR20 gradually leads you higher into the Corsican mountains. You cross the Bocca San Pedru mountain pass, where the scenery suddenly opens up. On a clear day, the Mediterranean coastline comes into view, stretching across the horizon above the deep blue waters.

On the opposite side of the pass, a remarkable glacial cirque reveals one of the great natural highlights of the Corsican mountains. The trail reaches Lake Nino, one of the most iconic landscapes along the GR20. Surrounded by pozzines – distinctive wet mountain meadows found in Corsica’s highlands – the lake creates a peaceful setting where wild horses roam freely. Keep your eyes open and you may be lucky enough to spot them grazing around the lake.

The route then continues across the high mountain landscape towards Manganu Refuge, your accommodation for the night.

Approx. 16 km – 6 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +870 m / descent: -689 m

Overnight stay at Manganu Refuge. Dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch can be purchased directly at the refuge.

Today’s stage begins with a steep and rocky ascent towards the Brèche de Capitellu. As you climb higher, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. From the mountain pass, you are rewarded with magnificent views over Lake Melu and Lake Capitellu, set among the rugged peaks of the upper Restonica Valley.

The trail then continues towards Bocca Muzella at an altitude of 2,206 metres. After reaching this high point, you descend towards a small mountain plateau where Petra Piana Refuge comes into view, surrounded by the striking rocky landscapes of this section of the GR20.

Although relatively short, this is a demanding stage with some of the most impressive mountain scenery of your GR20 trek.

Approx. 8.5 km – 6 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +670 m / descent: -465 m

Overnight stay at Petra Piana Refuge. Dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch can be purchased directly at the refuge.

Today’s shorter stage offers a spectacular high-altitude traverse between the Monte Rotondo and Monte d’Oro mountain ranges. The trail follows an airy and panoramic route, with wide views across the surrounding valleys and rugged Corsican peaks.

A few sections can become more challenging in strong winds, although an alternative route is available if conditions require it. On a clear day, the views extend all the way to the Gulf of Ajaccio, creating a striking contrast between the dramatic mountain scenery and the Mediterranean Sea.

After this scenic mountain walk, you reach Onda Refuge, where you spend the night surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of Corsica’s interior.

Approx. 7 km – 4 hours 30 minutes of hiking
Elevation gain: +560 m / descent: -965 m

Overnight stay in a tent at Onda Refuge. Dinner is provided. Breakfast and a packed lunch can be purchased directly at the refuge.

Your final stage in the northern section of the GR20 takes you through a beautiful combination of rugged mountain scenery and Corsica’s lush forests. Leaving Onda Refuge, you enter the magnificent Agnone Valley, overlooked by the slopes of Monte d’Oro.

The trail follows a wild and unspoilt landscape towards the Turtettu footbridge. Further on, you reach the famous English Cascades, a series of waterfalls and natural pools flowing through the forest of Vizzavona. From here, the route continues to Vizzavona, a key point on the GR20 marking the transition between the northern and southern sections of the trail.

A memorable way to complete the first half of your GR20 trek, before heading into the mountains of southern Corsica tomorrow.

Approx. 10 km – 5 hours 30 minutes of hiking
Elevation gain: +630 m / descent: -1,140 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Vizzavona mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Today’s hike begins in the beautiful beech forest of Vizzavona, where the trail winds through the trees before gradually gaining altitude towards Bocca Palmente. From this mountain pass, you can enjoy far-reaching views across eastern Corsica. On a clear day, the distant Diana and Urbino lagoons can be seen shimmering along the coast.

The route then continues through the highland scenery towards the Alzeta Shepherds’ Huts. From here, you follow an old transhumance trail, once used by shepherds to move their livestock between seasonal pastures. This historic mountain path leads you onwards to the Capanelle lodges, where you will spend the night.

Approx. 14 km – 5 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +1,155 m / descent: -715 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Capanelle mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Leaving Capanelle, you continue your GR20 trek towards Col de Verde, through a landscape that becomes increasingly green and pastoral. The trail first reaches the picturesque Traghete Shepherds’ Huts, a reminder of the traditional pastoral life that has long shaped Corsica’s mountain landscapes.

You then cross the Ghialgone plateau before reaching the I Spiazzi footbridge. From here, the route enters the Marmano Forest, one of the beautiful mountain forests along this section of the GR20, before finally arriving at Col de Verde.

A varied stage combining high-altitude pastures, woodland paths and more remote mountain scenery, offering another perspective on the natural and cultural heritage of Corsica.

Approx. 14 km – 5 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +600 m / descent: -900 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Col de Verde mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Leaving Col de Verde, you begin the day with an early climb towards Bocca d’Oru. The trail then crosses a wide mountain plateau before reaching Prati Refuge, with fine views over the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges.

A final ascent takes you to Punta Capella, after which you continue southwards along the mountain ridges. This is a demanding stage of the GR20, with significant elevation changes requiring a good level of fitness. In return, the route offers a wonderful immersion in the high mountain landscapes of southern Corsica.

At the end of the day, you reach Usciolu Refuge, perched on the Furmicula ridge and overlooking the eastern side of Corsica. Its remote setting makes it a memorable place to finish this challenging day of hiking.

Approx. 16 km – 7 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +1,290 m / descent: -830 m

Overnight stay in a tent at Usciolu Refuge. Breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch can be purchased directly at the refuge.

Leaving Usciolu Refuge, the trail gradually descends from the mountain ridge towards the wide-open landscapes of the Cuscione Plateau. The route alternates between balcony sections and more open terrain, offering beautiful views across the Corsican mountains.

As you progress, the scenery changes noticeably. The rocky ridges give way to broad high-altitude meadows dotted with pozzines and crossed by small mountain streams. The atmosphere becomes gentler and more pastoral, revealing another side of the GR20 and the landscapes of inland Corsica.

Although easier than the previous stage in terms of elevation, the distance still makes this a full day of hiking. You finish the day on the Cuscione Plateau, near Croci, surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery and the traditional pastoral landscapes of Corsica.

Approx. 13.5 km – 5 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +550 m / descent: -550 m

Dinner at the shepherd’s hut. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

Leaving the wide-open landscapes of the Cuscione Plateau, known for its high-altitude meadows and distinctive pozzines, the trail gradually leads into more rugged terrain. You climb towards Monte Incudine, rising to over 2,000 metres and the highest peak in southern Corsica.

After this ascent through a striking rocky landscape, the route descends into the Asinao Valley. The trail then climbs once again towards the Bavella Needles, a dramatic collection of granite peaks and one of the most iconic landscapes in southern Corsica.

This demanding stage of the GR20 combines high mountain plateaus, rocky terrain and far-reaching views before reaching the Bavella Pass and your accommodation for the night.

Approx. 15 km – 8 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +985 m / descent: -1,100 m

Dinner and overnight stay at the Bavella mountain lodge. Breakfast and a packed lunch are provided for the following day.

For the final stage of your GR20 trek, you leave Bavella on a trail that first winds through the forest towards Paliri Refuge. From there, the route continues downhill towards Conca, passing through the fragrant Corsican maquis as you make your way through the final kilometres of your adventure.

As you gradually lose altitude, the landscapes change and the end of your crossing draws closer. After several days of hiking through the mountains of Corsica, you finally reach Conca, the traditional finishing point of the GR20.

Approx. 16 km – 7 hours of hiking
Elevation gain: +450 m / descent: -1,400 m

Your GR20 adventure ends upon arrival in Conca.