This is the guided South section of the GR20. Fixed English speaking departure dates for 2016: 12th June, 10th July, 7th August & 11th September. The GR20 traverses the island diagonally following the high granite barrier of mountains that form the natural boundary between the two regions of Corsica. The trail offers some […]
This is the guided South section of the GR20.
Fixed English speaking departure dates for 2016: 12th June, 10th July, 7th August & 11th September.
The GR20 traverses the island diagonally following the high granite barrier of mountains that form the natural boundary between the two regions of Corsica. The trail offers some fantastic scenery, along with an insight into the authentic and traditional working mountain communities. You may meet the last of the shepherds that still follow the age-old ‘transhumance’, whereby they pass the summer months with their flocks on the high fresh pastures and the winters down by the coast.
You stay in a variety of different accommodations, a mix of camps, refuges, gites, or shepherds cabins, situated in places of exceptional beauty. Your evening meals are prepared for you.The GR20 is for walkers who have a very good fitness level. It does not require any climbing techniques or special skills, but you need to be able to walk with confidence over a variety of rugged terrains and to have a head for heights.
The trail winds through some incredible mountain terrain, over high ridges, down deep chasms and bare granite slopes. There are many steep ascents and descents and the ambience is strictly alpine. An exceptional walk, reputed as the best and most challenging in Europe. Please note that due to the nature of this walk we cannot offer it for one person walking alone.
Price:
£745.00 per person
Included:
Not Included:
Departure Dates:
Fixed English speaking departure dates for 2016: 12th June, 10th July, 7th August & 11th September.
Day 1: Ajaccio to Bavella
This holiday starts on a Sunday in Ajaccio, the first transfer will take you directly up to Bavella, where you check into your first accommodation. The region, known as the Alta Rocca and Bavella, is one of the most famous parts of the island, known for its high mountain pass and mystical summits. Introductory briefing and evening meal.
Overnight: Private Gite, Evening meal
Access to luggage tonight.
Day 2: Bavella to Asinau
From the high mountain pass, the Col de Bavella, you take the trail that is called the Alpine variant. It leads steeply uphill before passing at the base of several granite pinnacles, the Acellu, the Ariettu or the Vacca. It really is a superb ridge walk. The trail is rough under foot and equipped over a few metres with a chain that helps stability across the granite rocks. We plunge down into the valley before following an easy trail through the woods. After a river crossing we pull up hill to Asinau refuge.
Distance: 7km
Effective walking time: 5h00
Altitude gain: +700m
Descent: -550m
Night: Camping at Refuge, Full Board
No access to luggage tonight.
Day 3: Asinau to Crocce
From the refuge we head up towards the magnificent summit of Monte Alcudina at 2134m. There are fantastic views and on a clear day we can see our route ahead of us. We can enjoy a short, good ridge walk, before heading down through a wood to the famous Cuscioune plateau, at 50 square kilometres the largest plateau on the island. This large space is a mix of forests and open spongy green land full of runnels of water, a great grazing land in the summer months. Our night stop is a shepherd’s cabin situated on the edge of the plateau.
Distance: 8km
Effective walking time: 4h30
Altitude gain: +560m
Descent: -560m
Overnight: Private Gite, Full Board
Access to luggage tonight.
Day 4: Crocce to Usciolu
Today we pick up the trail on the plateau and cross the wide open green pasture with its streams and little water holes. We make our way uphill through an age old forest of dwarf oak trees up to the Col de l’Agnone. From here, we start possibly one of the best ridge walks – it is very exposed, the trail is ambitious and it is hard to believe that there is a way through. The granite has been wonderfully sculpted by the elements. The trail goes back and forth over the ridge, to one side then the other. Usciolu refuge occupies a sheltered position a little lower down and is a hive of mountain activity.
Distance: 13km
Effective walking time: 6h00
Altitude gain: +820m
Descent: -600m
Overnight: Camping at Refuge, Full Board
No access to luggage tonight.
Day 5: Usciolu to Prati
Back up on the ridge we have some great views of the Taravo valley. Once again, our trail is high and exposed. We pass through some narrow granite passes and high, airy alpine spots. We arrive at the Col de Laparo, situated at 1525m, a great spot for a rest and bite to eat. The views offer a continuous spectacle of small far off villages and at times, the distant coastline. We drop down from the mountain side onto a green flat pasture and an easy stroll across the grass to end the day’s walk will take us to our night stop, Prati refuge.
Distance: 10km
Effective walking time: 6h00
Altitude gain: +800m
Descent: -750m
Overnight: Refuge or Camping, Full Board
No access to luggage tonight.
Day 6: Prati to Capanelle
From the refuge we pick up the GR20 that heads quickly down to Col de Verde, one of the places where the trail crosses a road. From here we walk on the lower flanks of the majestic Renoso mountain. The trail follows a long easy undulating path all the way to an old ski station called Capanelle.
Distance: 17km
Effective walking time: 5h30
Altitude gain: +600m
Descent: -900m
Overnight: Private Gite, Full Board
Access to luggage tonight.
Day 7: Capanelle to Vizzavona
This is the last stage of the GR20 southern section and today’s walk makes for a leisurely day. We leave Capanelle (1568m) taking a path that is more or less on the same level and along easy terrain. We pass through some idyllic spots, past remote traditional stone cabins and a luxuriant vegetation. You continue to Bocca Palmente 1640m, from where on a clear day the views are exceptional, with the looming massifs of the Monte d’Oro and the Rotondu towering above. We drop down into a thick forest of pine and beech trees for a relaxing descent, as the trail loops back and forth lacing down to Vizzavona (920m) the midway point of the GR20.
Return by bus or train to Ajaccio (Bastia and Calvi also possible by public transport)
Distance: 15km
Effective walking time: 6h00
Altitude gain: +190m
Descent: -860m
£745 per person based on two people sharing.
6 nights accommodation in mix of camps, refuges, gites, or shepherds cabins.
Full board accommodation, transportation as necessary within the programme, luggage transfers (except day 7), route instructions and maps, emergency back-up.
By air to Ajaccio airport. There are also numerous flights to Bastia airport further North. Private transfers are available from Bastia to Ajaccio.
There is also the option to take a scenic local train from Bastia to Ajaccio (between 4 and 5 hours) which costs approx. 35 Euros per person.
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sunblock/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit.
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.
