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.

What maps should I take on the GR20?

12 August 2023

Insider Tips

When preparing for the GR20, we recommend that you pack IGN maps in your rucksack. Maps are crucial for finding your way around the route, anticipating difficulties, understanding the terrain or finding an alternative route to a village if you need to.

The GR20 route is well signposted throughout. Although it is never advisable to walk without a map, it is true that the signposting is so good that hikers may never need to refer to a map to find their way. However, this would mean walking in total isolation from the environment, without knowing the names of the neighbouring mountains and valleys, without knowing the shape of the terrain in advance and without knowing that there are other possible routes.

Walking without a map means walking without any real knowledge of your surroundings. As a hiking agency, we strongly advise all GR20 trekkers to set off with hiking maps.

The IGN TOP 25 series

The best maps of the route are produced by the IGN (Institut géographique national) at a scale of 1:25,000. These maps have a blue cover and belong to the Top 25 series. Six sheets are required to cover the entire route, as follows: