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Trekking the GR20 Corsica

The High Level Route: Guidebook and map booklet

ISBN

9781786310675

Availability

Published

1 Jun 2022

Edition

Fifth

Pages

304

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.70cm

Weight

430g

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Guidebook to Corsica's GR20, one of Europe's classic treks. The most challenging of the GR long-distance routes, the trail crosses remote mountain terrain and involves plenty of hands-on scrambling. Includes information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities and a separate booklet showing the entire route on IGN 1:25,000 maps.

Seasons

Possible June to mid-October; June or September is ideal, with July and August being the hottest and busiest months. Snow and ice make the trail exceptionally dangerous.

Centres

Calinzana, Ascu Stagnu, Vizzavona, Conca. Detours can be made to Corti, Cuzzà and Zicavu.

Difficulty

The GR20 is a challenging walk involving plenty of hands-on scrambling, through isolated mountain terrain. Take note of weather conditions and avoid lingering snow and ice early in the season, or thunderstorms at any time. The GR20 is for experienced, fit walkers prepared to carry backpacking kit.

Must See

Great mountain views; optional ascents of Monte Cinto and Paglia Orba; optional detour to the ancient mountain capital of Corti

ISBN

9781786310675

Availability

Published

1 Jun 2022

Edition

Fifth

Pages

304

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.70cm

Weight

430g

Overview

A guidebook to trekking the GR20 Corsica, widely considered to be the most difficult of Europe’s GR long-distance routes. The 190km (118 mile) trail from Calinzana to Conca traverses the island’s mountainous heart and calls for both fitness and experience. Crossing remote and rugged mountainous terrain, there is plenty of hands-on scrambling and, although it is possible to stay under a roof every night, it is recommended that trekkers carry backpacking kit.

The GR20 is presented in 16 stages of 5 to 18km (3–11 miles), with low-level options provided for a number of the stages. It takes around a fortnight to complete. Also included are a handful of excursions to climb neighbouring peaks and link routes for those wishing to join or leave the trail.

Clear route description with 1:50,000 maps and elevation profiles
Includes separate map booklet featuring 1:25,000 IGN mapping
GPX files available for download
Route summary and facilities summary tables help you plan your itinerary
With accommodation listings

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

Geology

Brief history

Getting to Corsica

Getting around Corsica

Getting to the GR20

When to trek

How to trek

Maps

Mountain weather

Path conditions

Mountain rescue

What to take

Services along the route

Food, drink and fuel

Language

Currency

Using this guide

Plants and wildlife on Corsica

Maquis

Trees

Flowers

Wildlife

The GR20

Stage 1A Calinzana to Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu (high-level)

Stage 1B Calinzana to Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu (low-level)

Excursion Ascent of Monte Corona from Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu

Stage 2A Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu to Refuge de Carozzu (high-level)

Stage 2B Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu to Refuge de Carozzu (low-level)

Stage 3 Refuge de Carozzu to Ascu Stagnu

Stage 4 Ascu Stagnu to Auberge U Vallone

Link route Auberge U Vallone to Albertacce

Stage 5 Auberge U Vallone to Hôtel Castel di Vergio

Excursion Ascent of Paglia Orba from Refuge de Ciutullu di I Mori

Stage 6 Hôtel Castel di Vergio to Refuge de Manganu

Link route Bergerie de Vaccaghja to Corti

Link route Refuge de Manganu to Soccia

Stage 7 Refuge de Manganu to Refuge de Petra Piana

Link route Brèche de Capitellu or Bocca a Soglia to Bergeries de Grottelle

Excursion Ascent of Monte Ritondu from Refuge de Petra Piana

Stage 8A Refuge de Petra Piana to Refuge de l’Onda (low-level)

Stage 8B Refuge de Petra Piana to Refuge de l’Onda (high-level)

Link route Bergerie de Tolla to Tattone and Vizzavona

Stage 9A Refuge de l’Onda to Vizzavona (low-level)

Stage 9B Refuge de l’Onda to Vizzavona (high-level)

Stage 10 Vizzavona to Bergeries d’E Capanelle

Link route La Foce to Bocca Palmentu

Stage 11A Bergeries d’E Capanelle to Bocca di Verdi (low-level)

Stage 11B Bergeries d’E Capanelle to Bocca di Verdi (high-level)

Stage 12 Bocca di Verdi to Refuge d’Usciolu

Link route Refuge d’Usciolu to Cuzzà

Stage 13 Refuge d’Usciolu to Refuge de Matalza

Link route Tignosellu to Zicavu

Link route Zicavu to Refuge de Matalza

Stage 14 Refuge de Matalza to Refuge d’Asinau

Alt Stage 13/14 Refuge d’Usciolu to Refuge d’Asinau (variant)

Stage 15A Refuge d’Asinau to Bavedda (low-level)

Stage 15B Refuge d’Asinau to Bavedda (high-level)

Stage 16 Bavedda to Conca

Appendix A Facilities along the route (Calinzana to Conca)

Appendix B Facilities along the route (Conca to Calinzana)

Appendix C Accommodation list

Appendix D Basic language notes

Appendix E Useful contacts

Appendix F The Cirque de la Solitude

Updates

February 2024

Link Route to Bergeries de Grotelle

A bridge in the Restonica valley called the Pont de Tragone was destroyed by Storm Ciaran in 2023. The bridge lies halfway between Corte and the Bergeries de Grottelle. The loss of the bridge means that anyone following the link route between the GR20 at Brèche de Capitellu or Bocca a Soglia, down to the Bergeries de Grottelle, won't be able to access any transport down the valley to Corte.

Until the bridge is replaced, it is unlikely that any of the little bars or cafés at the Bergeries de Grottelle will be operating. However, any trekkers who simply want to deviate from the main route and enjoy the spectacular scenery around Lac de Capitellu and Lac de Melo can do so, then rejoin the GR20 afterwards.

November 2023

Alternative Stage 13/14

This used to be the 'main' route of the GR20, but several years ago a longer route was marked in order to offer trekkers places to find accommodation, food and drink. This stage was 'closed', but it remained popular with trekkers, so it was waymarked afresh and has seen regular use for many years.

It has now been 'closed' again, due to the loss of a footbridge spanning the Ruisseau de Furcinchesu. Apart from the waymarks having been covered in grey paint between Bocca di l'Agnonu and Monte Alcudina, the route itself can still be walked if anyone chooses to do so, and the Ruisseau de Furchinchesu is easily forded in normal conditions of flow. Clearly, the park authorities would prefer trekkers to follow the 'main' waymarked route.

June 2023

Booking accommodation

It is now mandatory to book and pay for all stays at PRNC refuges prior to arrival via their website (whether you wish to stay in the dormitory, a hired tent or even in your own tent). See https://www.pnr.corsica/?intro... for details.

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By Paddy Dillon

Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and guidebook writer, with over 100 guidebooks to his name and contributions to 40 other titles. He has written for several outdoor magazines and other publications and has appeared on radio and television.Paddy uses a tablet computer to write as he walks. His descriptions are therefore precise, having been written at the very point at which the reader uses them.Paddy is an indefatigable long-distance walker who has walked all of Britain's National Trails and several European trails. He has also walked in Nepal, Tibet, Korea and the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the US.

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