Taking on the Integral GR20 experience is the promise of a legendary crossing through the heart of the Corsican massif.

The Integral GR20

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Presentation

Information

Equipments

Location

Program

Presentation

The Corsican massif is indeed the most difficult hiking trail in Europe. Famous for its breathtaking elevation changes as well as its stunning landscapes. The most daring hikers will be able to climb vertiginous summits such as Monte Cintu at 2706m, the highest point in Corsica, and relax by the beautiful pools of the Manganellu and the Agnone where deep tranquillity reigns. The granite barrier shelters many natural treasures, from the famous larici pines to the charming high-altitude pozzines, one cannot stop marvelling.

Between the different stages on the Integral GR20 route, hikers can also enjoy a well-deserved rest in the refuges and mountain huts. In this way, these become meeting places where people come to resupply but above all to recharge.

Number of participants:

Departure guaranteed from 4 people. For reasons of coherence, the group will be made up of a maximum of 10 people.

Information

Good to know

Technical information:

Stopping mid-stay:

In the event of stopping mid-stay, any additional costs incurred will be at the client's expense (repatriation, transport…) and without possible compensation from Cors'Aventure or La Vanille des Pyrénées.

Technical level of the Integral GR20: Level 3

This circuit is aimed at very sporty people who are also accustomed to mountain environments and who regularly practice mountain hiking. It is a 13-day route of a particularly pronounced sporting nature. This stay is supervised by a state-certified mountain professional.

The GR20 is a technical and demanding itinerary. Stretching 183 km with a total cumulative positive elevation gain of approximately 13,000 metres, it is aimed at an informed and trained audience. This itinerary involves 13 days of walking with very significant daily positive and negative cumulative elevation gains along often very steep slopes, on rocky, abrasive and brittle terrain. We walk between 6 and 9 hours per day for approximately 1000 m of cumulative elevation gains. You therefore need to be capable of renewing this effort for 13 consecutive days.

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

Important information regarding the route:

The mileage and elevation gain mentioned are indicative only. Your guide may indeed be led to modify the itinerary for various reasons, notably unfavourable weather conditions, the physical level of the group or any other external event beyond their control. The refuges are therefore given as a guide.

For reasons of available places in the refuges, or any other reason beyond our control, the organisation reserves the right to book in another refuge. Your guide also reserves the right to refuse the departure of any participant whose equipment does not conform to the list below, and to end the participation of any person whose physical aptitude or behaviour is incompatible with the smooth running of the stay.

For the success of the stay, so that everyone can fully enjoy it, and for safety reasons, it is necessary that you indeed have the required levels.

To be expected

Your backpack:

Your backpack will contain the equipment described below. Not counting the clothes you will be wearing, as well as the packed lunch. Also, containing only the essentials, your bag should weigh between 8 and 10kg. Try as much as possible not to exceed 12 kg, as a heavier bag will become a constraint for you during the succession of walking days. You will be able to wash every day, upon arrival, the clothes worn during the day. We also advise having a small first aid kit with essentials (survival blanket, gauze…). In addition, think of taking freezer bags or small bin bags to keep your belongings dry in case of rain. We also have a luggage storage facility.

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.

Restauration

Food and meals:

Meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 13. Breakfasts and dinners are taken in the refuges where we sleep. Each day, we provide the day's packed lunch, prepared by our hosts, which you will carry in your backpack to be autonomous during the day. Also, we advise bringing a Tupperware of approximately 0.8L for packed lunches.

Remember to bring snacks for the long walking days. Compotes, cereal bars, energy bars, dried fruit, gels… Everyone has their own dietary habits during exercise, so it is important not to change them. Make sure not to restrict yourself and to bring a good daily quantity.

Equipments

Load carrying:

Between 8 and 12 kg. Carrying personal belongings for 13 days and 12 nights, as well as lunch each day.

Location

We welcome the group in the early morning at Calvi station (9am) then organise a transfer to the village of Calenzana.

Program

Jour 1 :

Sunday: CALVI – CALENZANA – BONIFATU (536m)

13km, +1082m, -810m

We begin our stay with this first stage to the Bonifatu valley where we enter the splendid eponymous forest.

Dinner and night in gîte at Bonifatu. Full board.

Jour 2 :

Monday: BONIFATU – ASCU STAGNU (1422m)

11km, +1514m, -620m

Ascent of the Bonifatu Cirque to the Col de la Muvrella. We then reach the Monte Cintu massif.

Dinner and night in gîte at Ascu. Full board

Jour 3 :

Tuesday: ASCU – BALLONE (1443m)

8km, +1238m, -978m

Certainly the longest and most technical day of the stay which will begin with the ascent of the Pointe des Éboulis at 2607 metres altitude, the highest point of the GR20. From this breathtaking viewpoint over Cap Corse, Calvi and all the southern summits, the optional ascent of Monte Cinto, the roof of Corsica at 2706 metres, is offered. We then begin a long descent into the Tighjettu Valley to reach the Ballone mountain huts.

Dinner and night at the Ballone mountain huts. Full board.

Jour 4 :

Wednesday: BALLONE – VERGIO (1403m)

15km, +627m, -612m

A forest path will first take us into the Foggiale valley which we will climb to the pass of the same name. We will then reach the highest refuge in Corsica, Ciutullu Di I Mori at 1991 metres altitude, for a well-deserved break. We will then descend the Golo valley, then pass through the Radule mountain huts, to reach our evening gîte, the Castel di Vergio.

Dinner and night at the Castel de Vergio gîte. Full board.

Jour 5 :

Thursday: VERGIO – MANGANU (1601m)

15 km, +590 m, -790 m

The day will begin first with a balcony path through a thick larici pine forest to the Col San Petru. It will then take us by an ancient transhumance path to Bocca A Reta at 1883m altitude, overlooking the magnificent Lake of Ninu and its vast expanses of grass dotted with water holes, the charming «pozzines», on the banks of which magnificent wild horses live. After following the banks of the Tavignano we then emerge onto the high Camputile plateau which we will cross before reaching the Manganu refuge.

Dinner and night at the Manganu refuge. Full board.

Jour 6 :

Friday: MANGANU – PETRA PIANA (1842m)

9 km, +895 m, -730 m

Nothing beats the spectacle of high-altitude basins tinged with an intense blue-green: to reach them, one must first cross vertiginous ridges, then cross the famous breach of Bocca Alle Porte. From there we enjoy a breathtaking view of the Melo and Capitello lakes, true sapphires at the heart of the granite barrier. At the end of this string of alpine springs lies finally the Pietra Piana refuge.

Dinner and night at the Petra Piana refuge. Full board.

Jour 7 :

Saturday: PETRA PIANA – L'ONDA (1385m)

10 km, +490 m, -902 m

A long descent awaits us to reach the banks of the Manganellu via the classic GR20 (or via the alpine variant of the Pinzi Curbini for a ridge route of great beauty). After the Tolla footbridge, a packed lunch will be improvised near one of the magnificent pools of the river. A short forest climb will then take us to the Onda mountain huts and its famous lasagne.

Dinner and night at the Onda refuge. Full board.

Jour 8 : Sunday: L'ONDA – VIZZAVONA (1163m)

10 km, +850m, –600m

First, a hard climb to Bocca Muratello where the viewpoint over the Punta de l'Oriente is striking. Then, crossing of the Monte d'Oro massif to descend along the Agnone and its famous Cascades des Anglais to reach the legendary Vizzavona forest. End of the northern section of the GR20.

Dinner and night at the Vizzavona refuge. Full board.

Jour 9 : Monday: VIZZAVONA – CAPANELLE (1550m)

14 km, +883 m, -430 m

We follow an ancient mule track that takes us to Bocca Palmente (1640 m). You will cross through a beautiful forest path the Alzeta mountain huts, as well as the Sambuccu forest, and enjoy a breathtaking view over Monte d'Oro and Monte Renoso. The eastern coast finally takes shape at our feet offering a vast panorama over the Diana and Urbinu lagoons. Descent to reach the E Capanelle gîte.

Dinner and night in gîte at Capanelle. Full board.

Jour 10 : Tuesday: CAPANELLE – PRATI (1840m)

17 km, +600 m, -890 m

During this day of walking, we finally change sides and enter the Marmano forest renowned for its pine grove. We enter the forest to reach the Marmano footbridge, then a winding climb allows us to step onto the Ghjalgone plateau, from which we can catch sight of Monte Renosu. We then reach the Col de Verde, from where we tackle the last climb to Bocca d'Oru to then reach the Prati refuge.

Dinner and night at the Prati refuge. Full board.

Jour 11 : Wednesday: PRATI – BASSETA (1307m)

20 km, +1140 m, -1600 m

During this day, the ridge paths offer us striking views over the entire Corsican mountain massif and the sea to the East and West. We make the ascent of Punta Capella (2041m) from where you will follow the ridge line descending the main ridge and pass various small passes. You will continue towards Bocca di Laparo and Punta Furmicula (1981m). This path will lead us to the Bassetta mountain huts where we spend the night.

Dinner and night at the Bassetta mountain huts. Full board.

Jour 12 : Thursday: BASSETA – BAVELLA (1218m)

20 km, +1470 m, -1660 m,

You will continue with a climb to Bocca Stazzunara at 2020m then the terrain finally softens, we then cross via the old GR20 the vast Cuscione plateau. Ascent of Monte Alcudina (2134m), the last summit above 2000m in the South of Corsica, for a panorama that finally extends from the north of the island to Sardinia.

Mineral descent to the Asinau refuge to climb again towards the famous Bavella needles. The path climbs via the alpine variant to the col di u Pargulu 1611m, from where we will enter the heart of the Bavella massif and its pink granite towers, magical.

Dinner and night at the Col de Bavella. Full board.

Jour 13 : Friday: BAVELLA – CONCA (250m)

18 km, +591 m, -1536 m

Last day of the journey, we first pass through the col de Finosa which will lead us to the Paliri refuge, the last refuge of the GR. Change of atmosphere heading towards the sea, the scree finally gives way to a path with the scents of the maquis. This stage will take you through the ruins of Capeddu then the breach of Bocca d'Usciolu, from where you will finally catch sight of the bay of Porto Vecchio in the distance. We then tackle the last descent to the village of Conca.

End of the itinerant stay.

Shuttle between Conca and Ajaccio. Arrival in Ajaccio at the end of the day. End of stay.

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

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Practical information

Rates

We offer a decreasing rate depending on group size. The rates are as follows: 2,350€ per person for a group of 4, 2,100€ per person for a group of 5, and €1,890 per person for a group of 6 or more.

It includes supervision by a state-certified mountain guide, stay logistics, meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 13 lunch, refuge nights from Day 1 to Day 12 as well as the transfer from Calvi to Calenzana, the transfer from Conca to Ajaccio airport on Day 13.

It does not include travel from the mainland to Corsica, various insurance policies, personal expenses in the refuges or in Calvi and Ajaccio, breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 13, and accommodation on Day 13.

For the 2026 season, a single departure is proposed: from 16 August to 28 August.