When to do the GR20 north?

The best time to do the northern part of the GR20 is generally from June to September, when the weather conditions are most favourable and the temperatures pleasant for hiking. July can be a good alternative to avoid the early season crowds. The busiest periods are late June and early September. It is important to note that, depending on the year, snow can remain until early summer on many of the high altitude sections.

What type of accommodation is available on the GR20 North?

Accommodation is mainly in PNRC refuges, with the option of sleeping in dormitories or tents. At Asco, Vergio and Vizzavona, the GR20 crosses the road, offering the possibility of sleeping in private gîtes or hotels. However, this may mean that the stages are divided up differently.

The Crocus Corsicus

12 June 2022

Discover Corsica

Crocus Corsicus is a magnificent plant native to Corsica. It's the first flower of spring, and can be found just about anywhere: lawns, scrubland, forests, rocky areas... From coastal to alpine, you'll even come across it in snow and snowdrifts all over the island. Its flower is recognisable by its bright red or orange pistil. As pretty as it is, it also has an economic and environmental role to play.

Corsican saffron

Corsican saffron "Zaffaranu" is made from the crocus corsicus, the famous spice that will enhance your dishes. The flowers are picked between October and November, and the stigmas are pruned and dried to become the spice.

You can buy Corsican saffron from Zaffaranu or safranière du Cap. Known for its aromatic properties, saffron is also used in many Asian and Oriental medicines.

Its price is relatively high due to the amount of labour required to harvest and process it, making it the most expensive spice in the world, also known as "red gold".

Corsican saffron won a silver medal at the 2017 Concours Général Agricole at the Salon de l'Agriculture in Paris!

A useful plant for bees
The bee lands on the flower, the pollen sticks to its hairs and then it flies off, keeping the pollen in small excavations on its back legs. The bee is the main pollinating insect, and plants need to have their flowers pollinated in order to reproduce.
So keep an eye out for this plant on your walks, and don't hesitate to send us your photos.

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