GR20 Northern Half (from North to South)
Duration: 9 days
Trails: T4 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day
> 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?
Camping: during this trek, you can also spend the night at camping sites. Contact our trekking experts to find out more about this option!
Itinerary
Day
1
Calenzana - Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu
Duration: 05:55 h
Distance: 11.4 km
Ascent: 1370 m
Descent: 90 m
The GR20 trail begins in Calenzana (275 m) and ascends to Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu (1570 m), which marks the highest point of the day.
Highlights:
- Capu a e Vacche (624 m)
- Capu di Pratu (828 m)
- Capu Jovu (Ghiovu; 1629 m)
- Cirque de Bonifatu
Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu
Day
2
Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu - Refuge de Carrozzu
Duration: 04:05 h
Distance: 7.5 km
Ascent: 600 m
Descent: 850 m
This section of the trail starts in Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu (1570 m) and ends in Refuge de Carrozzu (1270 m). The highest point is the ridge at 2020 m above Col d'Avartoli, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
Highlights:
- Cirque de Bonifatu
Refuge de Carozzu
Day
3
Refuge de Carrozzu - Refuge d'Asco Stagnu
Duration: 04:00 h
Distance: 5.3 km
Ascent: 710 m
Descent: 570 m
This section of the trail starts in Refuge de Carrozzu (1270 m) and ends in a ski resort of Haut Asco, at the d'Asco Stagnu refuge, 1422 m. The highest point of the day is Col de Stagni, at 2010 m.
Highlights:
- Monte Cinto (2706 m)
Refuge d'Asco Stagnu
Day
4
Refuge d'Asco Stagnu - Refuge de Tighjettu
Duration: 06:30 h
Distance: 8.3 km
Ascent: 1160 m
Descent: 910 m
This section of the trail starts in Haut Asco (1422 m) and ends in Refuge de Tighjettu (1683 m). The highest point is Col de Minuta, located at 2183 m.
Highlights:
- Monte Cinto (2706 m)
- Punta Minuta (2556 m)
- Lac Du Cinto (2289 m)
- Refuge de l'Erco (1667 m)
- Lozzi (1029 m)
- Calasima (1100 m)
Refuge de Tighjettu
Day
5
Refuge de Tighjettu - Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori
Duration: 03:30 h
Distance: 6.9 km
Ascent: 650 m
Descent: 330 m
This section of the GR20 trail starts in Refuge de Tighjettu (1683 m) and ends in Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori (1991 m, the highest point of the day).
Highlights:
- Paglia Orba (2525 m)
- Col des Maures (2155 m)
- Calasima (1100 m)
- Albertacce (840 m)
- Col de Vergio (1477 m)
Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori
Day
6
Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori - Refuge de Manganu
Duration: 08:45 h
Distance: 23.6 km
Ascent: 740 m
Descent: 1100 m
This section starts in Refuge de Ciottulu di I Mori (1991 m) and ends in Refuge de Manganu (1601 m). The highest point of the trek is Col de Reta, located at 1883 m.
Highlights:
- Calasima (1100 m)
- Albertacce (840 m)
- Col de Vergio (1477 m)
- Lac de Nino (1760 m)
- Monte Ritondu (2622 m)
- Lac de Creno (1310 m)
- Orto (700 m)
- Soccia (750 m)
- Guagnose
Refuge de Manganu
Day
7
Refuge de Manganu - Refuge de Pietra Piana
Duration: 04:50 h
Distance: 8.7 km
Ascent: 800 m
Descent: 570 m
This section of the GR20 trek starts in Refuge de Manganu (1601 m) and ends in Refuge de Pietra Piana (1842 m). The highest point of the day will be Breche de Capitellu, located at 2225 m.
Highlights:
- Monte Ritondu (2622 m)
- Col du Fer de Lance
- Lac de Melo (1711 m)
- Lac de Capitellu (1930 m)
- Lavu Bellebone (2321 m)
- Lac de Creno (1310 m)
- Orto (700 m)
- Soccia (750 m)
Refuge de Petra Piana
Day
8
Refuge de Pietra Piana - Refuge de l'Onda
Duration: 04:15 h
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 420 m
Descent: 850 m
This section starts in Refuge de Pietra Piana (1842 m, the highest point of the stage) and ends in Refuge de l'Onda (1430 m).
Highlights:
- Monte Rotondo (Ritondu; 2622 m)
- Canaglia (600 m)
- Tatton (600 m)
Refuge de l'Onda
Day
9
Refuge de l'Onda - Vizzavona
Duration: 05:30 h
Distance: 10.4 km
Ascent: 650 m
Descent: 1090 m
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
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