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.

Pasquale Paoli

05 September 2021

Discover Corsica

The Corsican’s refer to him as U BABBU DI A PATRIA – the Father of the people. Who was this historical figure that is so important to the Corsican people and why is he so important today?

When the Genoese, finally took over Corsica in 1284, five centuries of occupation followed.

In 1755, PASQUALE PAOLI, the Corsican patriot, proclaimed independence from the Genoese. Paoli gave Corsica a democratic constitution, which later went on as a blueprint for the American Constitution. He also founded the island’s University. The Corsican’s refer to him U BABBU DI A PATRIA – the Father of the people.

Despite the independence, the exhausted, and by then ruined Genoese who were still present in pockets on the island, handed CORSICA to FRANCE in 1768 with the Treaty of Versailles

After the French army arrived, Paoli wanted to protect Corsica’s independence and his army fought the French in 1769, at the Battle of PONTE NOVU, the battle was won by the French army, Independence was over and Paoli fled to London.

The French Revolution further aggravated the opposition between clans and in this turmoil, Paoli returned to Corsica.

Paoli appealed to the English for help in his struggle, and the English occupied the island from 1794 until 1796 under the crown of George III, the English left and again FRANCE yet again took control of Corsica.

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