Corsica: The Gr20

Day 1
Arrival in Bastia, transfer to Calvi, where we have time to explore this beautiful town independently.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2
Transfer to Calenzana, south east of Calvi, a quiet little village surrounded by the olive trees that are native to the area. This is our start point for the walk up to Bonifatu. Our route takes in several river crossings and offers some great views over the characterful towns of Balagne. This offers an excellent warm up for the GR20 and gives us our first glimpse of the Corsican coast.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx 4h 30
Height gain: +500m / Height Loss: -300

Day 3
After breakfast we leave Bonifatu and tackle one of the longest sections of the GR20. River crossings are again a feature, before we reach the famous Spasimata footbridge. The setting here is quite dramatic, as the bridge is 30 metres in length and suspended above a waterfall, offering a fantastic photo opportunity. Using fixed cables we head over the Spasimata slabs and arrive in the Muvrella (Mouflon) Valley, where the passes provide some excellent viewpoints of a region home to, not surprisingly, a large population of Mouflons which we may spot during the week. Our destination is the foot of Monte Cinto, the highest summit in Corsica, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 8h15
Height gain: +1430m / Height loss: -546m.

Day 4
Today you can choose either to rest and relax, or to walk to Lac d'Argentu (2400m), a beautiful glacial lake at the foot of the north face of Monte Cinto with great views of the mountain itself, and return to Asco for the night. There is also an optional ascent of Monte Cinto (2706m) for wonderful views over the surrounding valleys and, on a clear day, much of Corsica.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6h / 9h (with ascent of Monte Cinto)
Height gain: +980m/1300m / Height loss: -980/-1300m

Day 5
The legendary 'Cirque de la Solitude' offers one of the most impressive landscapes of the GR20. A system of ladders and chains renders this technical route passable and memorable for visitors, and leads us on past the Tighjettu Refuge and to the sheepfolds of Vallone. Here we find small shepherds' huts offering hearty potions of home cooked food.
Accommodation: Tent
Luggage: no access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6h 30
Height gain: +1200m / Height loss: -1200m.

Day 6
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 rocky climb up the Bocca di Fuciale. The climb is soon rewarded as we head up and over the saddle towards the Ciotulu I Mori Refuge, beneath the distinctive Paglia Orba peak. From here there are great views down towards the Golo Valley. At this point the path becomes much easier as we wind our way down the valley, past the many rock pools on the Golo River, which are perfect for a quick dip. The final stretch takes us back through the woods and up to Castel di Verghio.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6h 15
Height gain: +900m / Height loss: -950m

Day 7
Our route today is relatively long, but is a real treat. Leaving Verghio the route gradually climbs out of the shadows of the lush forest. The morning's effort is rewarded by the descent to one of the best known lakes in Corsica, Lac de Nino, complete with its little ponds (pozzines). The setting is superb, with views of the mountains often complemented by the grazing horses, cows and pigs that often visit the lake. The path continues to follow the river and the tempting bathing pools, and leads us to one of the most attractive refuges on the island.
Accommodation: Refuge
Luggage: no access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 7h 20 hours
Height gain: +840m / Height loss: -1040m

Day 8
After tearing ourselves away from the natural pools near the refuge, we make our 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. We have dinner in a traditional restaurant in Corte and spend the night in a hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6 hours
Height gain: +230m / Height loss: -920m

Day 9
A well-earned day of rest marks the transition from the GR North to the GR South. We have the chance to spend much of the day soaking up the lively atmosphere of Corte, the ancient capital of Corsica. Take your time to discover the citadel, perched high upon a rocky crag, a defiant spectacle of Corsican patriotism. Visit the Museu dia Corsica, which charts the fascinating and turbulent history of the island, as well as spend time wandering round the many shops, cafés and restaurants. Overnight in Corte.
Accommodation: Hotel
Luggage: access to main luggage

Day 10
A private transfer will take us to Vizzavona where we begin the trek with the Pass of Vizzavona and the stiff but steady climb to Bocca Palmente, where the view is splendid along the eastern plains and back to Monte D'Oro. Next, after passing the crest, we discover several sheepfolds and have a glimpse of Monte Renoso, tomorrow's objective, before finally arriving at the sheepfolds of Capanelle.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6 hours
Height gain: +830m / Height loss: -430m

Day 11
From Capanelle, we make our way to the picturesque sheepfolds of Traghjete before trekking on towards the Plateau of Ghialgone. We cross the footbridge of I Spiazzi (another bathing point). Our final descent of the day lies under the shadow of the rarest and most majestic Corsican fir trees, before reaching the Col de Verde.
For those feeling adventurous there is an opportunity to climb Monte Renoso, the highest point of southern Corsica at 2352m. We pass Lac Bastani before reaching the summit where we are rewarded with views back to Monte Cinto, Paglia Orba and Monte Incudine.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 5 hours
Height gain: +320m / Height loss: -620m

Day 12
We start the day with a climb towards the refuge of Prati, which is perfectly positioned for beautiful views across to the massif of Renosu. The view is at its best when we reach the crest. From here the view stretches out across the Ligurian sea and the Italian island of Elba (weather permitting). After easy scrambling through a landscape of rocky slabs with some exposure for approx. 2 hours, we make our descent through the forest before reaching Cozzano, a village in the heart of Corsica.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 8 hours
Height gain: +900m / Height loss: -1470m

Day 13
Our morning is devoted to the climb towards Bocca De Surraghedu. After 1000m of difference in height, we embark on the Arete a Mondi, a beautiful rocky crest with fantastic views. After easy scrambling with some exposure for approx. 2 hours we start our descent through a forest of centennial trees. The path finally descends and the vegetation becomes dense. After the crossing of a stream, we arrive at the sheepfolds of Bassetta.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking: approx. 6hours
Height gain: +1240m / Height loss: -780m
In case of bad weather we can take another path:
Walking: approx. 6 hours.
Height gain: + 680m Height loss: -80m

Day 14
This is the longest and hardest day of the holiday, but the end of this superb trek is in sight. Continuing on the GR20 from Bassetta, we cross the Plateau Coscione where streams wind their way through small valleys and climb steadily towards the col below Monte Incudine. On a clear day we see Monte Cinto and Paglia Orba behind us, and Sardinia in the distance in front. From here we descend to Asinau to reach our final destination, Bavella and its famous 'Aiguilles' (or 'needles'), which dominate the landscape of the Alta Rocca. There couldn't be a more fantastic place to finish this memorable walk.
Accommodation: Gîte
Luggage: access to main luggage
Walking (via the GR20): approx. 9 hours
Height gain: +982m / Height loss: -1100m
Walking (via the alpine variant): approx. 9 hours
Height gain: +1470m / Height loss: -1570m

Day 15
End in Bavella and transfer to Bastia (approx. 2 hours).