Trek the GR20 of Corsica: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Figari Sud-Corse airport (FSC), the closest airport to Conca (~30 min). From Figari, take a taxi or pre-arranged shuttle to Conca village (~£25–35 per person if shared). Check into Gîte San Pasquale or similar gîte d'étape — book directly via the PNRC website or by phone well in advance, especially for peak summer dates. Pick up any last supplies in the village, sort your kit, and get an early night. Dinner at the gîte is typically included or available for ~£15.

🚌Fly to Figari (FSC); shared taxi Figari–Conca ~£25–35pp

🛏Gîte San Pasquale, Conca (or similar gîte d'étape) — book direct, ~£25–35/night dorm

• →Fly into Figari Sud-Corse (FSC) airport
• →Shared taxi or shuttle from Figari to Conca (~30 min, ~£25–35 shared)
• →Check in to Gîte San Pasquale — book direct via PNRC (parc-naturel-regional-corse.fr)
• →Buy any last-minute supplies in the village
• →Study your topo-guide (IGN GR20 guide or Cicerone 'GR20 Corsica' book)

An early start for your first full hiking day — and it's a tough one, a baptism of fire on the GR20. The trail climbs steeply from Conca through granite and pine, past the Paliri refuge, over the Finosa col and down to the dramatic Bavella Needles. Allow 7–9 hours. Stay in the dorms at Auberge du Col de Bavella — book directly by phone or via their website. The auberge serves hearty evening meals. Fill your water bottles at every opportunity.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Auberge du Col de Bavella (dorm) — book direct, ~£20–28/night

• →Hike Conca to Bavella via Paliri refuge and Finosa col (18km, 7–9 hrs)
• →Pass below the iconic Bavella Needles granite spires
• →Dinner and overnight at Auberge du Col de Bavella

A pre-dawn start is recommended to tackle the Alpine Variant, which passes the base of granite pinnacles before dropping into the valley and climbing steeply to the Monte Alcudina ridgeline. Descend to the vast Cuscionu plateau — the largest on the island. Overnight at Bergeries de Croci, a working shepherd's cabin on the plateau edge. Basic but atmospheric. Book directly by phone.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Bergeries de Croci (dorm/camping) — book direct by phone, ~£18–25/night

• →Hike Bavella to Cuscionu plateau via Alpine Variant and Monte Alcudina ridge (17.5km)
• →Scramble around granite pinnacles on the Alpine Variant
• →Overnight at Bergeries de Croci shepherd's cabin

Cross the open green Cuscionu plateau with its streams and water holes, then climb through dwarf oak forest to the Col de l'Agnone. The exposed ridge hike that follows is one of the finest on the entire GR20 — technical, dramatic and utterly rewarding. Drop down to the lively mountain village of Cozzano. Stay at A Filetta gîte — book direct.

🚌Hiking only

🛏A Filetta gîte d'étape, Cozzano — book direct, ~£20–28/night dorm

• →Hike Cuscionu plateau to Cozzano via Col de l'Agnone ridge (19km)
• →Traverse one of Corsica's finest and most exposed ridge sections
• →Arrive in Cozzano village — stock up on supplies if needed

Follow the ridge separating the Taravo and Fiumorbu valleys, dropping to Col de Laparo, then pass the GR refuge at Prati with its famous rooftop views (on clear days you can see Elba and Montecristo). Wind down through forest to Col de Verde. Stay at Relais San Petru di Verde — a popular refuge/inn at the col, bookable direct.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Relais San Petru di Verde — book direct, ~£22–30/night dorm

• →Hike Cozzano to Col de Verde via Col de Laparo and Refuge de Prati (20km)
• →Rooftop views over Corsica from Prati refuge — look for Elba on the horizon
• →Overnight at Relais San Petru di Verde

The longest day on the route — 26.5km — but largely through beautiful lariccio pine forest contouring the flanks of Monte Renosu. Big views at Bocca Palmente before a long descent through pine and beech to Vizzavona, the GR20's official midpoint. Vizzavona has a train station on the Ajaccio–Bastia line — it's a popular resupply and bail-out point. Stay at Hôtel Monte d'Oro, a proper hotel with rooms and a restaurant. Book direct.

🚌Hiking only (Vizzavona accessible by Corsica rail if needed — Ajaccio–Bastia line)

🛏Hôtel Monte d'Oro, Vizzavona — book direct, ~£45–60/night twin/double

• →Hike Col de Verde to Vizzavona through lariccio pine forest (26.5km — longest day)
• →Views of Monte d'Oro and Monte Rotondu massifs from Bocca Palmente
• →Celebrate the GR20 midpoint in Vizzavona — resupply at the small shop
• →Overnight at Hôtel Monte d'Oro — a rare hotel night on the trail

The northern section begins. A steady climb alongside the Cascade des Anglais leads to the Brêche de Muratellu, then a high-level ridge via Pinzi Corbini summit to Petra Piana refuge. Steep and exposed — one of the more technical days. In bad weather, an alternative lower valley route via Vivario Forest and the Manganellu valley (with its wonderful natural swimming pools) leads to the same refuge. Camp or dorm at Petra Piana refuge — book via PNRC.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Petra Piana refuge (camping or dorm) — book via PNRC, ~£10–20/night

• →Hike Vizzavona to Petra Piana via Cascade des Anglais and Muratellu ridge (20km)
• →High-level ridge traverse via Pinzi Corbini summit with views of Monte Rotondu
• →Alternative bad-weather route: Manganellu valley with natural swimming pools
• →Camp or dorm at Petra Piana refuge (PNRC-managed)

A shorter day — 9km — but on rocky, almost lunar terrain above the treeline. A high ridge traverse rewards with views of Corte (Corsica's ancient capital) and a string of spectacular glacier lakes including Lake Capitello. Descend to Refuge de Manganu on the Camputile plateau edge. Book via PNRC. Camping here without access to stored luggage — carry everything you need for the night.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Refuge de Manganu (camping or dorm) — book via PNRC, ~£10–20/night

• →Hike Petra Piana to Manganu via high ridge (9km — shorter day)
• →Panoramic views of Corte and glacier lakes including Lake Capitello
• →Camp or dorm at Refuge de Manganu (PNRC-managed)

A more relaxed day through beech woods and spongy mountain turf to the stunning Lac de Nino — one of the most beautiful spots on the GR20. Soak it in and have a snack on the lake banks surrounded by free-roaming ponies. Drop to the Col St Pierre and follow a horseshoe trail to Castel di Vergio, a small ski resort with a proper hotel. Reconnect with your stored bags if using PNRC's luggage service. Book Hôtel Castel di Vergio direct.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Hôtel Castel di Vergio — book direct, ~£45–60/night

• →Hike Manganu to Col de Vergio via Lac de Nino (16km)
• →Relax at the glacier Lac de Nino — wild ponies graze the banks in summer
• →Hotel night at Castel di Vergio — hot shower and proper bed

Follow the Golu torrent up a wild valley to its source, crossing the stream at a great spot for a swim on warm rocks. The trail climbs to the ridgeline with west-coast views, then passes the Ciottulu di i Mori refuge — the highest in Corsica — between Tafanatu and Paglia Orba. A steep descent leads to Bergerie de Vallone. Camp tonight — carry overnight kit.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Bergerie de Vallone (camping/basic dorm) — ~£10–18/night

• →Hike Col de Vergio to Vallone via Golu torrent valley and Ciottulu di i Mori (14.5km)
• →Swim in the Golu torrent river on a warm day
• →Pass below Paglia Orba — one of Corsica's most dramatic peaks
• →Camp at Bergerie de Vallone

The highest point on the entire GR20 comes today — Pointe des Eboulis at 2,610m (8,560ft). A progressively steep, rocky climb to the foothills of Monte Cinto (Corsica's highest peak), then up to Bocca Crucetta on a dramatic ridge. The views from the top are extraordinary. A steep descent on scree gives way to woods and river before reaching the old ski station of Haut Asco. Le Chalet hotel has hot showers and meals — a welcome reward. Book direct.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Le Chalet, Haut Asco — book direct, ~£40–55/night

• →Hike Vallone to Haut Asco via Bocca Crucetta — highest point on the GR20 at 2,610m (9km)
• →Summit views of Monte Cinto and the northern massif
• →Steep scree descent back to tree level — trekking poles essential
• →Overnight at Le Chalet, Haut Asco — hot shower and hearty meal

A shorter but superb day — climb to Bocca di Stagnu at the foot of the Muvrella peak, passing the stunning Lac de Muvrella with its views over Calvi bay. Descend through box trees to the beautifully situated Carrozzu refuge. One of the most scenic refuges on the route. Camp overnight — carry overnight essentials.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Carrozzu refuge (camping or dorm) — book via PNRC, ~£10–20/night

• →Hike Haut Asco to Carrozzu via Lac de Muvrella (5.5km)
• →Views over Calvi bay from Lac de Muvrella
• →Enjoy the sunset from Carrozzu refuge — one of the finest on the route
• →Camp at Carrozzu refuge (PNRC-managed)

Begin with a spectacular traverse around the edge of the Cirque de Bonifatu — a semi-circle of high mountains with panoramic views of Corsica's highest peaks. The second half crosses a gentler basin with woodland before arriving at the beautifully situated Ortu di u Piobbu refuge. Camp overnight — the end is now very close.

🚌Hiking only

🛏Ortu di u Piobbu refuge (camping or dorm) — book via PNRC, ~£10–20/night

• →Hike Carrozzu to Ortu di u Piobbu via Cirque de Bonifatu (8km)
• →Panoramic views around the Cirque de Bonifatu — Corsica's northern mountain crown
• →Camp at Ortu di u Piobbu refuge (PNRC-managed)

The final hiking day. The trail descends through granite mountains, dense forest and low maquis scrub with superb views over the coastline and the Balagne region before reaching Calenzana — a village buzzing with GR20 finishers. Celebrate your achievement! From Calenzana, take a taxi or the seasonal shuttle to Calvi (~20 min, ~£15–20pp shared), then a bus or train to Bastia (~3 hrs, ~£15–20). Alternatively book a direct taxi transfer group Calenzana–Bastia (~£120–150 shared between 4). Stay at Hôtel Poretta near Bastia airport — book direct.

🚌Taxi Calenzana–Calvi ~£15–20pp; Bus/train Calvi–Bastia ~£15–20pp

🛏Hôtel Poretta, Bastia — book via Booking.com or direct, ~£55–75/night

• →Hike Ortu di u Piobbu to Calenzana — the GR20 finish line (11.5km)
• →Views over the Balagne coast and the Île-Rousse region
• →Celebrate in Calenzana — photos, cold drinks, high fives
• →Taxi/shuttle Calenzana to Calvi (~£15–20pp), then bus/train Calvi to Bastia (~£15–20, ~3 hrs)
• →Overnight at Hôtel Poretta, Bastia

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart from Bastia Poretta airport (BIA) — just a 20-minute walk from Hôtel Poretta, or take a short taxi. Alternatively, take a ferry from Bastia to mainland France (Nice, Marseille, Toulon) or Italy (Livorno, Savona, Piombino) if extending your trip — book via Corsica Ferries or La Méridionale.

🚌Walk or taxi to Bastia airport (~£5–10); or Corsica Ferries from Bastia port

• →Breakfast at hotel
• →Walk or short taxi to Bastia Poretta airport (BIA) — ~20 min walk
• →Alternative: Corsica Ferries from Bastia to Nice, Marseille or Italian ports — book via corsica-ferries.fr