Departs every Sunday from the beginning of June until mid-September. Last departure on the 23rd September.
GR20 NORTH - SELF GUIDED VERSION WITH LUGGAGE TRANSFER
price from 725 €
Corsica - Independent walking - 7 days
Considered as the most difficult and technical long-distance walk of Europe, the GR20 attracts walkers from all over the world looking for a challenge.
The North section of the GR20 is the hardest. The route in the North stays high on rocky paths, passing close by to the summits of many mountains. It also includes the most famous passage of the GR20: the Cirque de la Solitude. This steep ascent uses a combination of fixed chains and a metal ladder. The Cirque de la Solitude is the only technical passage, requiring care and attention and a head for heights, but no technical experience.
This self-guided circuit will allow you to discover the most beautiful and the most wild areas of Corsica.
Program
Day 1 From Calvi to Bonifatu Your trip will start in the morning from Calvi. Calvi is accessible by plane, train or ferry. A transfer to Calenzana is then organised for you. South-east of Calvi, this little village sits quietly within an area abundant with olive trees. From here you will start your hike to Bonifatu, which lies high up in the forest. This stage is characterised by several river crossings as well as magnificent views of the typical towns of the Balagne. It is an excellent warm up to the GR20 offering superb views towards the Corsican coast.
Food: L,D
Accommodation:Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 4h05.
Height gain: + 800m Height loss: -540m
Day 2 From Bonifatu to Haut Asco After breakfast, you will leave Bonifatu for one of the longest stages along the GR20. Once more crossing several rivers before reaching the famous footbridge of Spasimata, which is 30 metres in length and suspended above a waterfall (a great location for photos). You will arrive in the Valley of the Muvrella (mouflon) with its small lake. The viewpoints are numerous and divine from the passes. The route continues to the foot of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit of Corsica, where you will spend the night.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 8h00.
Height gain: +1300m Height loss: -598m.
Day 3 From Haut Asco to the sheepfolds of Vallone In this dream setting, you may have the chance to observe mouflons, which are numerous in this region of Corsica. The legendary ‘Cirque de la Solitude’ offers one of the most impressive landscapes of the GR20. Equipped with handrails and a ladder, this is a technical passage which will leave you with great memories, once crossed! A (long) detour is also possible to avoid it. The route continues passed the refuge of Tighjettu before reaching the sheepfolds of Vallone, where a cluster of shepherd huts await you with ample portions of home cooked food made from local products.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tent
Luggage: Your main bag will not be available on this day
Walking: About 5h25
Height gain: +1050m Height loss: -980m
Day 4 From the Sheepfolds of Vallone to Verghio After waking up to views of the surrounding mountains, the day begins with a gentle walk through a forest of giant Laricio pines before a long climb up the Bocca di Fuciale. The climb is soon rewarded as you reach up and over the saddle towards the Refuge of Ciotulu i Mori, where the view expands down towards the Golo valley. From here, the path becomes much easier, as you wind your way down the valley, past the many rock pools on the Golo river, which are fantastic for bathing. The final stretch takes you back through the woods and up again to Castel di Verghio.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Gîte.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at the gîte.
Walking: About 6h15.
Height gain: +971m Height loss: -1017m.
Day 5 From Verghio to the Sega refuge Today maybe a long day for some walkers, but it is a real treat. Leaving Verghio under the shadow of this superb forest, the route gradually begins to climb and the trees start to fall away. The morning’s effort is rewarded by the descent to Lac de Nino with its little ponds (pozzines). This is one of the most well known lakes in Corsica. The surroundings are superb, with fantastic views of the mountains and often horses, cows and pigs can be seen grazing in tranquillity around the lake. The path continues to follow the river (and its many bathing pools) to lead you to one of the most beautiful refuges on the island.
Food: B,L,D
Accommodation: Refuge.
Luggage: Your main bag will not be available on this day.
Walking: About 7h50
Height gain: +869m Height loss: -689m
Day 6 From the Sega refuge to Corte After tearing yourselves away from the natural pools near the refuge, you will make your way down the Tavignano gorge, to Corte. This stage offers more opportunities en route for bathing in the crystal clear waters of the Tavignano river.
Overnight at a hotel in Corte. Dinner is not included and so you are free to eat at a restaurant of your choice, all within easy reach of the hotel.
Food: B,L
Accommodation: Hotel, twin rooms.
Luggage: Your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel.
Walking: About 4 hours
Height gain: +720m Height loss: -1400m
Day 7 Corte Your holiday ends after breakfast.
Do contact us for transportation options for your onward journey.
22d of August 2007
We had a wonderful time in Corsica and especially enjoyed the GR20 and the scenery. Thank you very much for organising for us. Zoey, UK.
28th of June 2008
We have now returned from our holiday. We had a fantastic time trekking
in Corsica & are overall very pleased with the whole trip that you
organised for us - thank you. We got on well with the other 5 people
doing it on your plan (all English-speaking as it turned out), and really
enjoyed the contacts with different people at each stay, including some
very amusing dinner-time "conversations" with French-speaking people,
when we each could barely speak the others' language! Tony & Margaret, New Zealand.
6th of July 2008
Dear Aurelia,
We have have been back a week now from Corsica, after a week in a
villa following doing the GR20 North:Self-Guided.
Thanks for all your help in arranging our holiday - we all enjoyed it
very much. Nigel F., UK.
Fact sheet
Details
Starting point Calvi
End Corte
Accommodation 4 nights in "gite d’etapes" (dormitory style) and 1 night in a tent. Three nights can be in rooms of two (see the supplements). Last night in a hotel.
Number of people Minimum two.
Level of difficulty You need to be used to trekking in the mountains and be able to read and follow map instructions. From 4h30 to 8h15 hiking hours per day on sometimes difficult trails.
Carrying We take care of your luggage transfers except days 3 and 5. Thus you only have to carry a day sack (picnic, camera etc).
Options - 3 nights in double room : 85€
- Trip without luggage transfer : -260€
- Maps of hike 1:25 : 42€
Included Luggage transfers (except days 3 and 5). The dossier containing your maps, route notes and all necessary details needed for your holiday. All dinners from day 1 to day 5. All breakfasts from day 2 to day 7. All picnics from day 2 to day 7. Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana.
Not included Transfers not included in this program (including for example transfers due to bad weather or physical ailments and any onward journey from Corte), dinner on day 6 in Corte, entrance fees to sites, optional activities, drinks and holiday insurance.
