> Complete the northern half of the GR20
> Spend your nights in mountain huts
> Enjoy majestic views from Monte Cinto
The GR20, also known as fra li Monti, is a GR (Grande Randonnée) hiking trail that crosses the Mediterranean island of Corsica and runs roughly from north to south. The whole route is about 180 km long with an altitude difference of 12,000 m. This GR route is considered one of the toughest of all GR routes.
Why both ways?
The full trek takes 15 days. However, if you want to do a shorter version of the trek, it is certainly possible. The GR20 can be divided into the northern and southern halves. The northern half is 9 days long and starts in Calenzana. Instead of going all the way to Conca, you finish your adventure in Vizzanova. You can also do it the other way around, starting in Vizzanova and ending in Calenzana. The northern part of the GR20 is the most popular half, but is also considered the most difficult. Are you ready to conquer the toughest trekking route in Europe?
This section of the trail starts in Calenzana (275 m) and ends in Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu (1520 m). The highest point is Bocca à U Bassiguellu (approx. 1520 m).
Highlights:
- Bocca di U Ravalente
- Bocca à U Saltu
- Bocca à U Bassiguellu
This section of the trail starts in Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu (1520 m) and ends in Refuge de Carozzu (1270 m). The highest point is Bocca Avartoli (1898 m), reached via a rocky and steep climb.
Highlights:
- Bocca di Pisciaghja (stony & steep ascent)
- Bocca Avartoli (1898 m)
- Mouth Innuminata (1865 m)
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Carozzu (1270 m) and ends in Refuge d'Asco Stagnu (1422 m). The highest point is Bocca Stagnu (2003 m).
Highlights:
- Passerelle de La Spasimata (suspension bridge)
- Lamitu Valley
- Lac de la Muvrella
- Bocca Muvrella (1980 m, small and rocky passage)
- Optional: Muvrella peak (2147 m, T2 trail)
- Bocca Stagnu (2003 m)
- Old pine forest sections
This section of the trail starts in Refuge d'Asco Stagnu (1422 m) and ends in Refuge de Tighjettu (1683 m). The highest point is La Pointe des Éboulis (2607 m).
Highlights:
- Monte Cinto (2706 m)
- Lac d'Argeritu (slightly off the route, below the GR20)
- La Pointe des Éboulis (2607 m, stony landscape)
- Bocca Crucetta (2452 m)
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Tighjettu (1683 m) and ends in Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori (1991 m). The highest point is Bocca di Foggialle (1962 m).
Highlights:
- Bergerie de Ballone (on route, food available, approx. 25 min from Tighjettu)
- Bocca di Foggialle (1962 m, rocky climb)
- View of the Paglia Orba (climbing not recommended, T5)
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori (1991 m) and ends in Refuge de Manganu (1601 m). The highest point is Bocca a Reta (1883 m).
Highlights:
- Bergerie de Tula (ruins)
- View of Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu
- Petit Lac - Le Golo (perfect for cooling off)
- Natural pool further along the trail
- Wooden bridge over Le Golo
- Bergeries de Radule (great stop for a break)
- Forest section, small overlap with Mare à Mare trail
- Hotel Castel de Vergio (ideal for a break)
- Small chapel
- View of Grand Barrière
- Bocca a Reta (1883 m, sand/grass trail)
- Lac de Nino (lake surrounded by pastures and meadows — major highlight of the route)
- Bergerie de Vaccaghia (good place for a break)
- Bocca d'Acqua Ciarnente (gradual climb, easy-going trail)
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Manganu (1601 m) and ends in Refuge de Petra Piana (1842 m). The highest point is Bocca a le Porte (2220 m).
Highlights:
- Bocca a le Porte (2220 m, steep and rocky ascent)
- Breche de Capitello (very steep climb, rocky, view on Lac de Capitello)
- Bocca a Soglia (2050 m, stony)
- Restonica Valley
- Col de Rinoso
- Bocca Muzzella (2210 m, rocky, hands required in parts)
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Petra Piana (1842 m) and ends in Refuge de l'Onda (1430 m). The highest point is near Refuge de Petra Piana at the start of the stage.
Highlights:
- Bergeries de Gialgo (shortly after Refuge Petra Piana)
- Waterfalls along the route
- Forest section through the Ruisseau de Manganello Valley
- Cascades
- Manganello stream
- Bergerie de Tolla (perfect place for a break)
This section of the trail, and the last one of its northern section, starts in Refuge de l'Onda (1430 m) and descends to Vizzavona (920 m), which is the midpoint between the northern and southern halves of the GR20. The highest point is at 2141 m.
Highlights:
- Bocca du Porco (2159 m)
- Lac d'Oro (1970 m)
- Tattone
- Canaglia
