GR20
Long Distance Mountain Trail Of About 180 Km Across Corsica From Calenzana To Conca, Often Described As The Toughest Long Trail In Europe · Calenzana, Corsica
The GR20 crosses Corsica along its granite spine, from Calenzana in the Balagne hills above Calvi to Conca near the east coast, roughly 180 km through the Corsica Regional Nature Park. It is usually walked in about 15 stages over two weeks, with total climbing well over 10,000 metres, and it has a reputation as one of the hardest long trails in Europe: long days on bare rock, chains and handholds on steep slabs, boulder fields and passes above 2,000 metres. The route splits at Vizzavona, the halfway point with a railway station, so many people walk only one half. The northern half is higher, rockier and more exposed; the southern half is greener but still long. Walkers sleep in park refuges, in tents at the refuge camping areas or in a few gîtes, and buy cheese, bread and basic food at refuges and shepherds' bergeries. The old Cirque de la Solitude section was closed after a fatal rockfall in 2015 and replaced by a variant. This is a serious mountain walk that needs fitness, planning and respect for the weather.
From Calenzana (north) to Conca (south) across the mountains of Corsica, Calenzana, Corsica, France
The GR20 is an open mountain trail with no gates or fixed hours, but it has a clear season. The refuges are normally staffed by wardens from about June to late September or early October, and this is when food, drinks and camping pitches are available along the way; outside that period refuges are unstaffed, water sources can be dry or frozen, and snow may cover the high northern stages well into June, so early-season walkers may need an ice axe and experience. In the staffed season, refuge beds and tent pitches are managed by the regional nature park and have in recent years had to be booked online in advance, often weeks or months ahead for July and August; confirm the current booking rules and whether walk-in camping is still tolerated. Wild camping outside the refuge areas is not allowed, and open fires are forbidden. Hikers usually start each stage very early in the morning to finish before afternoon storms and heat. The Vizzavona railway station and the Calenzana and Conca bus links run reduced services outside summer, and the summer shuttle from Conca back to Porto-Vecchio should be confirmed before you arrive.