Let yourself be guided on the GR20 South through landscapes as varied as they are breathtaking for a certainly unforgettable experience!

The GR20 South

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Presentation

Information

Equipments

Location

Program

Presentation

A multi-day hiking trip to explore the southern part of the famous GR20. This place is full of breathtaking landscapes, forests, rivers and transparent pools. Discover the extent of Corsican fauna and flora!

Authentic and superb, a beautifully scenic walking itinerary on the southern part of the famous GR20, considered the most difficult long-distance trail in Europe. Discover a variety of singular landscapes unique to Corsica, between larici pine forests and ridges with incomparable views. Passing through major points of interest such as the Cuscionu plateau or the magnificent Bavella needles where you may have the chance to spot mouflon. Through this stay, set off to discover the Corsican massif, its fauna and flora, a true heritage of our Island of Beauty!

Information

Good to know

GR20 South technical level:

Level 3

Itinerary that may feature technical or exposed sections, scree or snowfield crossings. The nature of the terrain, the intensity level and the altitude mean that experience of mountain itinerant travel is necessary to fully enjoy this circuit.

Please note: you are very certainly not likely to forget the sumptuous and magical landscapes of the Corsican mountains. But they do not however make it any less difficult, or even disconcerting for hikers accustomed to the Alps and the Pyrenees. This raid is indeed difficult. The intensity of the programme is high and good physical fitness is necessary.

Assessment: you practise a sporting activity twice a week and you will be able to maintain good endurance at a regular pace like, for example, running 5km in under 30 minutes while talking.

5h30 to 8h30 of walking per day. Long technical stages and possible exposed sections. There are also several stages of 800m to 1000m elevation gain. Good walking pace, it is therefore necessary to have mountain legs, i.e. a certain agility and ease not only off-trail, on ridge sections, sections with chains, but also on boulder fields, scrubland and scree.

For the success of the stay, and therefore so that everyone can fully enjoy it, and for safety reasons, it is necessary that you indeed have the required levels. If this is not the case, our supervisor may, if appropriate, refuse to let you follow the programme. It will not necessarily be possible to offer you a replacement programme and we will not be able to refund your stay.

This raid is aimed at a mountain-going audience, so do not overestimate and risk spoiling your holiday.

To be expected

In addition, belongings can be left at the starting point and collected on the last day. Therefore bring a bag for this purpose.

Non-included equipment:

The itinerary passes at altitude and it can be cold and wet even in August on the GR20!

In all cases, belongings can be left at the starting point and collected on the last day. Bring a bag for this purpose.

MANDATORY personal equipment:

50L hiking backpack (with rain cover)
A pair of high-ankle cleated hiking shoes (that you have already worn)
A 5° comfort sleeping bag (cool mountain nights even in midsummer)
2 or three outfits (trousers, shorts and t-shirts)
Long-sleeve thermal underwear,
High-ankle hiking socks
Waterproof jacket, Gore-Tex type
Cap or hat, sunglasses
Gloves, beanie and neck warmer (buff)

For evenings:

Light sandals for the evening
Trousers
Warm socks
Fleece
Down jacket
Thermal base layers

Small equipment:

Towel (small, light and quick-drying, microfibre type)
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, earplugs, toilet paper)
Swimming costume
Headlamp with charger
Telescopic walking poles
2 flasks of at least 1.5L or "Camelback"-type water pouch, totalling 3L of water
Waterproof plastic bags to compartmentalise your belongings
Cooking kit ("Tupperware"-type hermetic box of 0.8L, cutlery, cup)
Small tube of strong glue (type "glue")
2 50L bin bags
Thin washing line + clothes pegs
Light 3-way power strip (standard or USB)
Dried fruit, cereal bars…

First aid kit, recommended typical contents:

Sun protection for skin and lips.
To relieve intestinal problems following dietary changes (micropure capsules, ergyphilus – probiotics – smecta or Imodium/Tiorfan).
To relieve headaches and muscle pain (mineral salts, salt tablets, electrolytes).
Personal medication if you are subject to particular conditions (allergies, etc.).
To relieve insect bites.
To prevent and treat blisters (Compeed-type dressings, Nok cream)
To relieve ankle and knee problems: «Elasto»-type bandages.
To clean small wounds: impregnated gauze.
Thick survival blanket (compulsory)

Ask your doctor and pharmacist for advice and remember that you will need to carry your first aid kit, so only bring the minimum necessary.

Technical equipment that can also be loaned:

Shoes
Backpack
Sleeping bag
Karimat-type sleeping mat

Restauration

Breakfasts and dinners at the refuges, gîtes and mountain huts or at the base camp, cold packed lunches prepared by the wardens.

The price does not include provisions such as cereal bars, dried fruit etc.

Guidance

Each walking itinerant stay is led by a state-certified guide specialising in walking travel. Knowledge of the terrain and environment, as well as mastery of safety and logistics, they will do everything to ensure you fully enjoy your stay.

Equipments

Included:

Technical equipment loaned: tent and karimat-type sleeping mat. Everything is already on site in the mountain huts, gîtes and refuges, and will therefore not need to be carried.

Load carrying:

Between 8 and 12 kg. On average 8kg for the GR20 South. Carrying personal belongings for 7 days and 6 nights, as well as lunch each day.

Location

The meeting point is at 2pm at Ajaccio airport. A single shuttle is put in place for departure.

Ways of getting to Corsica:

→ By boat:

From Marseille: Corsica Linea www.corsicalinea.com
From Toulon, Nice, Savona and Livorno: www.corsicaferries.com

→ By plane:

Air connections from major mainland cities to Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari.

Practical information:

The bus station is located opposite the ferry terminals in the port area, it is a large glass building. There is also a bus line serving the route between the station and Ajaccio airport. This is line no. 8, the ticket price is around €8. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes. A bus every 30 to 40 minutes.

Program

Jour 1 :

Saturday: Ajaccio – Bocognano

Welcome at Ajaccio airport on Saturday at 1pm and transfer to the village of Bocognano (Please note, a single shuttle is organised; transfer time: 45 minutes).

Installation at the mountain base camp in refuge, presentation of the stay and bag check.

Jour 2 :

Sunday: Vizzavona – Capanelle

Departure by train from Bocognano to Vizzavona where one of the most beautiful stages of the GR20 awaits: we will begin the itinerant stay in the magnificent Vizzavona forest composed of Larici pines, an endemic island species. We then reach our first pass, Bocca Palmente, which peaks at 1642 m, then cross the Alzeta plateau and its mountain huts before reaching our first gîte where we spend the night. This path offers us a breathtaking view over the Monte d'Oro massif.

Night in gîte U Fugone.

5h30 of walking – Elevation gain + 900 m /- 224 m.

Jour 3 :

Monday: Capanelle – Col de Verde

This stage, relatively short, offers fewer technical difficulties than the other days. It takes us through a dense beech forest, allowing us to reach the Traghjette mountain huts, then continue on our way to the gîte where we can rest and spend the night.

If the weather allows and depending on the group, we will take an alternative itinerary to reach the famous Pozzi of the Ese plateau.

Evening by the fireside, dinner and night in gîte at Col de Verde.

6h30 of walking – Elevation gain + 750 m /-460 m.

Jour 4 :

Tuesday: Col de Verde – Usciolu

Early morning departure for the ascent of Bocca Dell'oro from where we have a breathtaking view over the eastern plain. We continue on our way towards the Punta Della Cappella. We follow a ridge line, to continue on a main ridge. From pass to pass, we follow the direction of the Bocca Di Laparo to finally reach Monte Furmicula, and finally the Usciolu refuge where we spend the night.

Night in Refuge under tent.

7h00 of walking – Elevation gain + 1246 m / – 764 m.

Jour 5 :

Wednesday: Usciolu – I Croci

We leave Usciolu for Bocca di Suragheddu, or ridge of statues, a slightly technical section, to reach the famous Cuscionu Plateau and its very singular landscapes. We finally reach the famous I Croci mountain huts, a major meeting place, for a well-deserved meal.

Night at the mountain huts under tent.

5h00 of walking – Elevation gain + 388 m / – 597 m.

Jour 6 :

Thursday: I Croci – Asinau

This day begins with the ascent of Bocca Stazzunara at 2020m, then, optionally, Monte Alcudina at 2136 m, the highest point in Southern Corsica. During this stage we enjoy an unprecedented view of the magnificent Bavella Needles, the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, and even Sardinia on a clear day. We begin our last descent of the day in a particularly mineral setting to reach the Asinau refuge.

Night at the refuge under tent.

7h00 of walking – Elevation gain + 494m / – 503 m.

Jour 7 :

Friday: Asinau – Bavella

For this last stage, we head towards the Bavella Needles. Via the alpine variant, we progress on technical paths strewn with scree and boulder fields, amongst which chain sections, in the heart of this mythical setting. We finally reach the Col de Bavella peaking at 1218 m altitude, where we all have our last lunch together with an unparalleled view of the Needles we have just crossed.

5h00 of walking – Elevation gain + 740m / – 540 m.

Transfer to Ajaccio.

End of stay.

Important: this programme is given as a guide and may in particular be subject to modifications or adjustments depending on weather conditions.

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Practical information

Rates

The rate includes:

Local transfers, accommodation, meals, supervision, technical equipment necessary for the activity (see personal equipment and loaned equipment list) from the meeting time on the first day at Ajaccio airport until the scheduled departure time on the last day.

The rate does not include:

Drinks and personal expenses, bath linen, personal insurance as well as any other supplement not provided for in the programme.

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Included

Included:

Technical equipment loaned: tent and karimat-type sleeping mat. Everything is already on site in the mountain huts, gîtes and refuges, and will therefore not need to be carried.

In photos