The real GR20 - Guided

Meet your guide in Calvi at 3pm. Transfer to the village of Calenzana. Settle into the local gîte, receive a briefing on the adventure and prepare your backpack for the first stages of the journey.

From the upper part of the village, the GR20 gradually winds its way upwards, offering splendid views over the Bay of Calvi. You'll first cross areas that were once cultivated as gardens before overlooking the Figarella valley. Through a pine forest, you'll soon reach the Capu Ghjovu ridge, passing the Arghjoa spring. The GR20 then continues over the Crête du Fucu before reaching the Ortu di u Piobbu refuge, perched at the top of the Bonifatu cirque.

This stage plunges you into the mineral atmosphere of the high mountains. The GR20 quickly reaches the source of the Mandriaccia below Capu Gianonne, then the source of the Leccia Rossa as you reach the ridges of Punta Pisciaghja. Overlooking the Bonifatu cirque, you'll head towards the Col d'Avartoli and the Bocca Innominata (1912m). After a fine descent over scree, you'll discover the Carrozzu refuge below, nestling in the heart of the forest.

Shortly after setting off, you'll reach the Spasimata stream and its suspended footbridge. You'll pass under the Lariccio pines of the Bonifatu forest one last time before climbing over rocky slabs towards the Col de la Muvrella (1987m) and its small lake. Winding your way through alders and rowan trees, you'll continue on to the Bocca di Stagnu, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the long Cinto barrier on one side and the west coast and Porto on the other. The stage ends with a pleasant descent to the ski resort of Asco.

This section of the GR20 passes through the highest part of the route. Following an essentially mineral route, you'll reach the Pointe des Éboulis at an altitude of 2,604 metres. You'll discover the island's highest peak, ‘le Cintu’, with its majestic lunar landscapes and Alpine ruggedness. After passing the Bocca Crucetta (2456m), a long descent takes you down into the valley to the refuge.

From the refuge, the GR20 quickly reaches the Vallone sheepfolds. On this section, the path becomes gentler, offering a long shady passage beneath the Lariccio d'Albertacce pine forest. You then reach the Foggialle stream, the starting point for a fairly steep climb to the ridges. Take a break at the Ciuttulu di i Mori refuge, nestled between the summits of Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu. A pleasant descent finally takes you to the Col de Vergio.

The path takes you through the Valdu Niellu forest. Beneath magnificent hundred-year-old beech trees, the GR20 gradually climbs up to the Col de St Pierre. From this pass, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire west coast. You continue on towards Lac de Nino, passing the summit of Tritore (1790m).  After crossing the Camputile plateau, you will reach the Manganu refuge.

A long, high-altitude stage in the heart of the Rotondo massif. The GR20 crosses the highest passes on the route: Bocca Alle Porte, Capitello, Soglia, Muzzella... In this resolutely alpine atmosphere, you'll discover the high-altitude lakes of Capitello and Rinoso. In the midst of these high mountain landscapes, you'll reach the Petra Piana refuge. Then, taking the variant of the GR20 that winds along the crests of the Serra Bianca and the Pinzi Corbini peak, you'll continue on to the Onda sheepfolds.

Today's stage takes you to the Col de Vizzavona, nestling between the Gravona and Vecchio valleys. From the refuge, the GR20 climbs towards the foothills of the majestic Monte d'Oro. From the Pointe Muratello (2141m), you'll have a good overview of the southern massifs that await you. The descent to Vizzavona follows the course of the Agnone river. Just past the Porteto sheepfolds, you'll pass the Cascade des Anglais. The stage ends in the heart of the cool Vizzavona forest.

A long stage with no technical difficulties, apart from the distance to be covered. The GR20 first climbs to the Bocca Palmente pass at 1644 metres. Following an old transhumance route, you will reach the Bergeries d'Alzeta and then the Crête de Cardo. After a break at the Capanelle ski resort, you will cross the Ghisoni municipal forest to finally reach the Col de Verde at 1289 m.

The path climbs up to the Fontaine de Sialella and the Bocca d'Oru. Once you reach the Prati refuge, you can admire the breathtaking views over the eastern plain and the coastal lakes of the Costa Verde. You'll then pass Punta della Cappella, Punta di Latoncellu and Punta di Campolongo. Through this granite landscape, you'll reach the Col de Laparo (1525 m) and then the Usciolu refuge.

From the refuge, the GR20 follows the ridge towards the Bocca di l'Usciolu (1733m). You'll then take the Arête A Monda, where some passages are equipped with chains to make progress easier. Splendid panoramas open up before you, offering views of the villages of Haut Taravu and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The trail then takes you to Punta Scaddatta (1834m) before reaching Bocca di l'Agnone (1571m). The end of the stage is spent on quieter paths across the vast Cuscionu plateau.

The penultimate stage of your trek on the GR20 is marked by a crossing of the Bavella massif. Starting from Croci, you will cross the Bocca di Chiralba and then climb towards the Bocca Stazzunara, at the foot of Monte Alcudina, the last of the great peaks in the island's mountain range. After passing the Asinao refuge and the Bocca di U Pargulu, the route of the alpine variant will lead you to the heart of the majestic granite towers (Punta di Vacca, Punta di l'Arghjettu, Punta di l'Acellu, Punta Bigornu...) that are the Aiguilles de Bavella.

Following a spacious, shady path, you will gradually climb towards the Cannone ravine fountain and the Foce Finosa pass (1212m). After passing under the Punta Tafunata ridge, you'll reach the I Paliri refuge, the last refuge in the PNRC. As the horizon opens up to reveal the beauty of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, you will pass between the Punta di l'Anima Damnata and the Furcone di i Paliri, then on to the Bocca d'Usciolu. Following an ancient transhumance path, you will reach the village of Conca. From 4pm, a shuttle bus will take you to the Porto-Vecchio bus station.