How do you wash on the GR20?

Refuges on the GR20 often have showers, which are usually cold except in rare cases. Towels or flannels can be used with a little water for a quick clean-up. Some hikers choose to heat a little water on a gas cooker to wash themselves, although this requires more effort and equipment. For a quick, water-free solution, using wet wipes can be handy. It's important to note that, even with the use of biodegradable soaps, washing in natural waterways such as streams or mountain lakes is not recommended to avoid pollution. Respect for the environment is paramount.

What are the refuges like on the GR20?

Most of the refuges on the GR20 are fairly old and of limited capacity. They are often built of granite stone. To accommodate the large number of hikers who cannot stay in the dormitories, bivouac areas are set up nearby. It should be noted that the sanitary facilities in some refuges are not always adequate during busy periods on the GR20.

Can I bring my own tent?

Yes, it is quite possible to sleep in your own tent on the GR20. This means carrying it with you throughout the trek, which can significantly increase the weight of your rucksack. The weight of your tent is therefore an important factor to consider. You should also make sure that your tent is adapted to the variable and sometimes difficult weather conditions of the Corsican mountains. It's important to note that wild camping is prohibited outside the areas designated by the Corsican Regional Nature Park.

What does the word GR20 mean?

The acronym GR20 stands for "Grande Randonnée numéro 20". So the GR20 is the twentieth long-distance hiking trail. Prior to 1970, Corsica was effectively department number 20 in France, which coincides with the number assigned to this trail in the list of 370 long-distance hiking trails.

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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