Corsica: The Gr20

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

1 | 2

• 

  

  Tom Bowring

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written August 2012

  This was the fantastic trek. 2 weeks of exciting, stunning and ever changing scenery. It was tough, sure. But the rewards of getting to the summits of the highest Col's in Corsica was absolutely worth the effort. With cloudless skies, lovely sunshine and plenty of mountain pools and lakes to swim and cool off in; this was our very own 2012 Olympics!  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Cirque De La Solitude stands out for me. A 600m vertical descent, followed by roughly the same amount back up, on the other side using chains and even a ladder to negotiate the route. The path is very well marked, but this was pure adventure!

  Another wonderful highlight was the Col De Bavella on the final day. This day was long and very tough. At the end of a 2 week trip, the ascent to this particular Col is a real challenge, but at the top its quite something! I have never seen such spectacular views before. Spiky and jagged granite peaks poke into the clear blue skies, alpine forests outline the mountains, and the Eastern Mediterranean sea can be seen in the distance. It was a wonderful sight. Even better than watching Mo Farah winning the 5,000m gold medal!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had 2 Exodus leaders. Alex and Emma. Both were brilliant! Gold medals to them both! Alex is a legend. He has lead trekking trips all over the world; summited Aconcagua 3 times and Kilimanjaro many more times. This guy knows exactly what he is doing! His knowledge and expertise was very much appreciated on this tough trek! Emma was a brilliant leader. Enormous fun and has some wonderful stories of adventure skiing and the many times she has trekked Everest and the High Passes. I think she enjoyed the GR20 trek as much as we did which was great!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Yes. This is a demanding and tough trek. You will need to be physically and mentally prepared for it. There may not be any altitude involved, but I honestly found this trip as challenging as Kilimanjaro (and maybe more challenging in places). Be prepared for some exhilarating but challenging scrambling on most days. There are also some river crossings on wobbly (but secure!) bridges where you will need to cross 1 or 2 persons at a time. My vertigo was tested!The accommodation is absolutely fine. All very clean with plenty of running water (hot and cold) and electricity to charge mobiles and cameras. Bring ear plugs for sleeping and lots of energy bars for snacking during the days.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go for it! This trek is designed for people who love trekking and love a challenge. If you have trekked before, that’s great, but this trek is so very different to anything else out there! Every day is different and each day has its own rewards and highlights. A brilliant trip! The perfect way to kick start the Olympics!

   
• 

  Barry Holmes

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written August 2012

  This was no doubt a tough walk but the scenery was absolutely superb. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The trip notes are not joking when they say you need a head for heights. I don't have one, but being afraid of doing something is no excuse not to do it in my book. Others in the group found the traverse of the Cirque de la Solitude exhilarating. I didn't sleep the night before and dreaded the thought of it, but I did it and the satisfaction of doing so for me was doubly immense.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Emma undertandably wondered why anyone who had read the trip notes should nevertheless undertake a trip that required a head for heights when I had a fear of them. Nevertheless, walking the GR20 had been a long-held ambition and as I was by now 65 it was now or never. Emma took me under her wing and encouraged me round all those, to me, fearful spots. Alex was also very helpful.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This is a challenging trip, especially if coping with exposure and heights is not easy for you, but I managed it and the rewards of the spectacular scenery are immense. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip is worthwhile also for the opportunity to explore Corsican culture, other than the language you would not think this was part of France!

   
• 

  Tim Schofield

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written June 2012

  We were lucky & had 2 excellent guides for 4 people (late cancellations). The holiday was hard enough to provide a test but well planned with the central break in Corte. The guide to participant ratio allowed the group to be split which really helped. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Cirque due solitude is easy scrambling but kept my pulse up. I liked the old but comfortable hotel in Corte & the train trip I did on the rest day. Monte Renoso & the pozzetta was a good day. The pools to escape the heat.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Both were very good. Alex Doaga, a Rumanian has been with Exodus for ages. The young lady mountaineer of spanish extraction was highly competent (her first Exodus trip)

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Heat management was an issue. Take compeed for blisters.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The walk is so well known so the N section can be overcrowded. However its still a walk worth doing & has a tremendous variety of scenery

   
• 

  Penelope Kilpatrick

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written September 2011

  We came home with a definite glow - the combination of sensational terrain,  really excellent company and a first class guide was a total winner.  Throw in wonderful weather and organisation that worked and we were more than happy. As others have said, you do need to be hill fit to enjoy it. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Well, completing the walk and walking through a guard of honour of raised walking poles was pretty special.  I was openly teary, but a young fellow walker had grit in his eyes............!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Barbara is an excellent guide - she made the slightly daunting trip feel safe and organised us all with great skill and tact.   She tried extremely hard to keep the group together and largely succeeded.  She did have a huge task however, a widely diverse group of walkers and difficult territory was a big ask.  I think with a group of 16, given that the walk is at the top end of it's classification, an extra guide  would possibly have been advisable, or maybe reclassify the trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Travel light, you really don't need too much stuff with you.  There are laundry facilities at the two ski centres and of course at Corte. 

  Bring goodies, the food is fine, but a bit dull.  A few sachets of mayo/sauce/pepper will make the pasta lunches much more appetising.

  Pillows are not a given. 

  Don't stress about taking a day off.  One of our best days was spent reading by a wonderful river, falling into a deep pool every now and then to cool off........... 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  In lots of ways I was outside my comfort zone - long days of hard walking were fine, but queueing for showers and big mixed dorms (what? no ensuite??) was a bit more of a challenge.  After a day or two though you do relax and discover that you don't have to be in control of your environment 101% of the time.  It is great to realise that even nearing retirement you can still rise to a challenge.  I came home with a real spring in my step (this is metaphorical, my knees were, in fact, pretty battered!) with a distinctly different view of life.  Go for it!

   
• 

  David Gibson

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written June 2011

  A great trek if you're fit and able to cope with some reatively easy scrambling. We enjoyed fantastic weather and 2 weeks of wall-to-wall sunshine. Rain would have affected route choice and could mean that some days are spent in a taxi and the bar. Accommodation on the GR20 is very limited and finding it meant detours off the GR to towns leading to plenty of descent and reascent on a few days - there is no real alternative other than a tent.  Take advantage of the rest days! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Scrambling in the Cirque was great but the final day views above Bavella were unforgettable, with bright sun on the ridge leading to mist rising up the pinnacles on descent to the final night's accommodation.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Barbara had just recceed the route and this recent experience was a real benefit. She shared a lot of knowledge about the flora of the GR and this added real value to the trek. I thought she did well to get such a large group with mixed experience and abilities through the scrambling sections.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If youre a vegetarian dont expect too much other than pasta and (if youre lucky) omlettes - be flexible otherwise you may not eat much. Everyone should bring munchies as the breakfast is simply too insubstantial for the morning ascents. Bring a cheap pair of flip-flops for the huts. You can probably get away with a lightweight sleeping bag.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A highly memorable trek in good company. The trek notes for the ascent of Monte Cintu need to be corrected to give a realistic time for the ascent and decsent.

   
• 

  Tim Constable

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written June 2011

  The GR20 is undoubtedly a strenuous and demanding trek.  The Exodus version aims to alleviate some of the rigour and hardship by avoiding the need to back-pack or stay in some of the highest mountain refuges where accommodation is likely to be in large dormitories, or tented areas, with limited washing and toilet facilities. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Probably the sense of achievement felt in completing an undoubtedly arduous trip (particularly for a wrinkly).  But also the great deal of spectactular scenery.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Very well organised and efficient.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The Exodus aims for the trip are largely, but not completely, realized.  Prospective GR20'ers need to be aware that the Exodus version bypasses some significant sections of the main route.  You do get a real experience of the GR20 including such highlights as the Cirque de Solitude.  A further compensation is a trip down the Tavignano valley that leads to a very pleasant rest day in Corte.  However, it remains very much a matter of personal ethics whether you get to wear the tea-shirt at the end of the trip.

  There is inevitably some variation in the standard of the accommodation used.  The food served at Capanelle, where we stayed for two nights, was poor.  The bread that formed virtually the only component of breakfast had much the same age and consistency as the local rock.  The accommodation at Bassetta was pretty unpleasant.  However, all other places were acceptable, or much better.  The attitude taken by the custodians can make a big difference.  In two places (the Sega refuge and Col de Verde) the very friendly and welcoming reception from the custodians enhanced the visits considerably.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  When Exodus state that the last day of walking is the longest and hardest, you'd better believe them.  Be prepared for a 12 hour outing with two long, knee-crunching descents.  The very considerable compensations are a magnificent view from Monte Incudine coupled with an exciting close-up encounter with the Aiguilles de Bavella.

   
• 

  Colin Baker

  CORSICA: THE GR20

  

  Written June 2011

  No wonder Paddy Dillon described the GR20 as 'one of the top trails in the world'.It's got everything from exposed ridges where basic scrambling is required to rugged gorges and alpine plateau's that reveal magical landscapes and vista's.The scenery was spectacular as towering pinnacles of rock overlooked dense forests of Lariccio pines.The opportunity to climb some of the highest mountains on the island on our 'rest day' was an added bonus.Any reasonably fit person with the right gear and a head for heights should cope with the undulations and roughness of terrain on this beautiful island. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Probably the traverse of the Cirque de la Solitude - from the Bocca Tomasginesca it gives the appearance of a bottomless chasm but it's not as difficult as it first appears - however I must say we were very lucky with the weather as I'm sure it's a different proposition in the wet.

  There was a palpable air of achievement as we dragged ouselves upward and out onto the Bocca Minuta to the sound of churring Alpine Choughs, as if in celebration of our survival

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Barbara was a good group leader, authoritative when needed but relaxed when the situation required a little leeway. She had obviously done her research on Corsica because her geographical, historical and cultural knowledge of the island was impressive.

  Getting fifteen of us through the Cirque de la Solitude would have taxed the patience of Jobe but her measured approach ensured a positive effect on the group. 

  Her pacing on some of the steep sections was about right (for me anyway) and she made sure backmarkers got a fair amount of recovery time.

  The only drawback was her lack of appreciation of my rather risque jokes (the other guys found them funny).

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Travel as light as possible without taking risks (especially with water) - we encountered one individual carrying a 100 litre sack who had run out of water, fortunately we were able to help.

  Get a kitbag with wheels, at the end of a tough day the last thing that you want is to drag a heavy bag to the bunkhouse.

  Although the food was generally good be prepared to eat anything, don't go without because you don't like the look of something - remember, you can't eat enough to replace what you're burning off.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It's possible to do this walk alone, however this would detract from the sense of cameraderie and achievement engendered by a group. I and others benefitted from the generosity, encouragement and humour of a diverse group of people doing something that they enjoy.

  We were lucky to have a great group of people led by someone who knew what she was doing - but then, we're walkers aren't we.

   

1 | 2