GR20 part 2 : From Asco to Vergio

Your stay begins at Corte train station. Meet your taxi and transfer to the Haut Asco ski resort. Settle into your accommodation.

Today's route starts from Ascu Stagnu station and winds through a dense forest of laricio pines. The landscape soon changes and gives way to a rocky setting as you head towards the Tribulacciu cirque. This section requires constant vigilance, with steep sections secured by chains and ladders to make progress easier. The path then leads to the Argentu lake before reaching the Pointe des Éboulis, perched at 2,604 metres, one of the highest points on the GR20. From here, an imposing panorama unfolds, offering breathtaking views of the emblematic peaks, including Monte Cinto. The rest of the stage descends through a field of unstable rock to Bocca Crucetta, where Lac du Cinto and its firn persist even in summer. The day ends with a long descent to the Tighjettu refuge and then to the peaceful Vallone sheepfolds. This section of the GR20 is renowned for its technical difficulty, confirming the status of this hike as one of the most demanding in Europe.

The route begins with a gradual ascent along the Stranciacone ravine, offering a wild, mineral atmosphere. After winding through a forest dotted with imposing granite boulders, you reach the Foggiale pass. From here, you'll have an exceptional view of the Niolu and Melarie valleys. The trail then continues to the Ciottulu di i Mori refuge, at an altitude of 2,000 metres, in an Alpine setting dominated by the impressive silhouette of Paglia Orba (2,525 m), nicknamed the ‘Corsican Matterhorn’ because of its distinctive shape. On the way down, you follow the course of the River Golo, dotted with small waterfalls and pools of crystal-clear water, perfect for a refreshing break. You then arrive at the Radule sheepfolds, where the vast meadows and majestic laricio pines are a reminder of the days of pastoral transhumance. The path crosses a footbridge and plunges into the dense Valdu Niellu forest, a biological reserve rich in biodiversity. This stage ends at the Col de Vergio, surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse.

From Castel di Vergio, the route starts by taking a forest track winding through the woods until you reach the foot of Capu a Rughja. The path then passes the San Petru oratory before crossing the San Tomaghju ridge and skirting the Capu a Tozzu. You then follow the GR20 as it climbs towards the magnificent Lac de Nino. Perched at an altitude of 1,748 metres, Lac de Nino, the second-largest lake in Corsica, offers an enchanting landscape of vast green lawns, pozzines and surrounding mountains. Continuing along the path, you will reach Bocca a Stazzona before beginning a descent to the Colga sheepfolds. The walk continues down into the valley to reach the Valdu-Niellu forest. You will finally arrive at the Poppaghja forest house, nestled in this wooded massif. A transfer will then take you back to Corte, crossing the Niolu valley and the spectacular Scala di Santa Regina, bringing this hike to a close.