GR20 North Trek

GR20 North Trek Itinerary

Day 1 From Calenzana to Bonifatu

Meet with our taxi driver in Calvi in the morning for your transfer to Calenzana. This little village, surrounded by olive trees, is the official start of the GR20.
You walk through the forest of Bonifatu, past magnificent viewpoints over the villages of the Balagne.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bonifatu
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 From Bonifatu to Haut Asco

After breakfast, you will leave Bonifatu for one of the longest stages along the GR20 (timewise). Once more crossing several rivers before reaching the famous Spasimata footbridge, which is 30 metres in length and suspended above a waterfall (a great location for photos). You will arrive in the Valley of the Muvrella (mouflon) with its small lake. The viewpoints are numerous and divine from the passes. The route continues to the foot of the Monte Cinto, the highest summit of Corsica, where you will spend the night.
Overnight Location: Overnight at Haut Asco
Distance: 4 hours, 11 km, 700 m of ascent, 450 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 From Ascu to Vallone

To avoid the Cirque de la Solitude, closed to the public since 2015, you cross the Great Barrier Reef by the itinerary of Monte Cintu and through the Pointe des Éboulis. From Bocca Minuta, you descend to the small valley of Straciaconne where you may have the chance to observe mouflons (a type of wild sheep). Your accommodation, the shepherd hut in Vallone, is in an ideal setting with the backdrop of a starry sky for the night. Dinner at the hut and night in a tent.
Overnight Location: Camping along the route
Distance: 8 hours, 9.5 km, 1,300 m of ascent, 600 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 From Vallone to Verghju

Your setting for the day is the valley of the Niolu, located at the heart of the island. You walk past the foot of the most beautiful summits in Corsica, the Paglia Orba and the strange Capu Tafunatu. When the weather is good, you can get a stunning viewpoint over the gulf of Porto before plunging into the small valley of the Golo. The shepherd’s hut of Radule and a series of natural pools punctuate your walk towards the forest and the Castel di Verghio.
Overnight Location: Overnight in gite
Distance: 8.5 hours, 9 km, 1,200 m of ascent, 800 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 From Verghio to the Manganu refuge

We pass Bocca San Pedru between sky and sea. The magic happens after passing Bocca a Reta. To the east, the coastline stands out against the deep blue of the Mediterranean. On the other side, a glacial cirque is revealed which hides, in a green setting, one of the jewels of the Corsican mountain. Bordered by its pozzines, Lake Nino welcomes a herd of wild horses.
Overnight Location: Overnight in tent
Distance: 6.5 hours, 13.5 km, 971 m of ascent, 1,017 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 From Manganu to Petra Piana

Stream and rocky bars follow one another before reaching a plateau of pozzines. Then the Capitellu breach will offer you a breathtaking view of the lakes of Melu and Capitellu. After some efforts to reach Bocca Muzella (2206m), you will descend to reach a small plateau where the Petra Piana refuge is located.
Overnight Location: Refuge in Manganu
Distance: 7.5 hours, 869 m of ascent, 689 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 From Petra Piana to l'Onda

A rather short, aerial and panoramic stage between the massifs of Monte Rotondo and Monte d'Oro. Be careful, some tricky passages in strong winds! On a clear day, you will have the chance to see the Gulf of Ajaccio.
Overnight Location: Refuge at Petra Piana
Distance: 6 hours, 670 m of ascent, 465 m of descent
Meals: None

Day 8 From l'Onda to Vizzavona

Last day on the northern part of the trail. A magnificent stage awaits you from the Onda refuge towards Vizzavona, passing through the magical Agnone valley at the foot of Monte d'Oro. After the Turtettu footbridge, here we are in front of a multitude of small waterfalls and streams. Between forest and clinking of water, you arrive slowly towards Vizzavona.
Overnight Location: Hut in Vizzavona
Distance: 5 hours, 560 m of ascent, 965 m of descent
Meals: None

Day 9 Departure Day

Sadly, your GR20 North trekking tour has come to an end. Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Airport transfers can be arranged for an additional fee. Have a pleasant journey!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast