On the trail of the GR20 South

Arrival in Vizzavona. Night in a gîte or refuge depending on availability at the moment of booking.
Dinner and night in Vizzavona.

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.