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.

In the Maquis

15 April 2020

Discover Corsica

Corsica has a really rich vegetation, from Meditteranean to High Alpine. At lower levels you find Macchia or Maquis - a heady scrubland mix of endemic plants specific to the island. Corsica has an important biodiversity and a number of endemic species on this small island territory.

The maquis is dense and cloaks the slopes, bandits were known to hide in the vegetation from their enemies. Here are some examples of what you can find in the Maquis.

The ARBOUSIER - ARBUTUS/STRAWBERRY TREE is a bushy tree which blooms in late autumn with the appearance of small white bell shape flowers. Soon after, these turn into ARBOUSES, small edible red-orange balls that can be used in jelly and jams.

MYRTE – MYRTLE is a heady scented small shrub very present in the Maquis. In winter it produces small blue-black berries, the leaves are oily. Myrtle is used in Corsican gastronomy, the foliage flavours grilled meats and berries are used to make a liqueur.

IMMORTELLE D’ITALIE or CURRY PLANT is a low shrub, with silver leaves topped with clusters of yellow flowers in early summer. It has a strong spicy perfume from the leaves. The plant has many medicinal properties and is used in aromatherapy and is a good insect deterrent.

ASPHODELLES - U TARAVELLU cover Corsica in spring. Growing on barren, sandy and rocky soil, they brighten up the landscape with their little pinkish star-shaped flowers sprouting from their stiff branches, like gawky candelabra.

OLIVE TREES have grown in CORSICA since antiquity. Seen as mystic trees throughout the Mediterranean, in Corsica OLIVE OIL is also used against L'OCCHIU, the evil eye.

CHATAIGNIERS - CHESTNUT TREES blossom in May and June and CHESTNUTS are harvested to produce flour, dried and ground they are used in local cuisine.

LARICIO PINES are coniferous evergreen trees that can grow up to 50m high with a straight trunk with grey flakey bark, and long dark needles.

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