GR20 Complete Self-Guided Hike

The complete GR20 hike begins in Calenzana.

The closest airport to Calenzana is Calvi, 13km from the starting point of the hike. You can get from Calvi to Calenzana via bus or taxi, or you can choose to take the traditional way – hitchhiking.

If your plane lands in Ajaccio, you don’t have to worry! The train will get you from Ajaccio to Calvi in four hours. Due to the long distance, the trains might not run often so make sure you check the schedule beforehand.

We recommend you get to Calvi the day before your hike so you can rest up before your journey.

The village of Conca in the south of Corsica marks the end of the GR20 trail.

The village is located 20km north of Porto-Vecchio, a famous seaside town. Most hikers opt for a shuttle service after their hike, which can take you directly to Porto Vecchio or to Sainte Lucie (6km from Conca).

We recommend you extend your stay for a day or two and explore the south of Corsica and rest after your hike.

When you are ready to return to the mainland, bus connections will take you from Porto Vecchio to Figari or Ajaccio.

From June through September is the prime time for trekking the GR20. In June, hikers you enjoy moderate temperatures and the lowest likelihood of encountering snow in the north. The months of July and August introduce warmer weather, requiring an early morning start to beat the heat. September, meanwhile, presents cooler temperatures but with an increased possibility of stormy weather.

Our tours have been classified on a difficulty scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 representing the least challenging and 5 indicating the most strenuous.

This rating system gives an idea of the physical fitness required and the amount of hiking involved. The majority of our tours are suitable for individuals who engage in regular physical activity and are capable of hiking for approximately five to seven hours each day.f

The term "technical difficulty" refers to the level of skill needed to navigate the trail. A rating of 1 suggests the path is even and broad (similar to a gravel road), whereas a rating of 5 indicates the trail is rough and narrow, possibly requiring the use of hands for progress. Essentially, a higher rating necessitates greater agility and proficiency in climbing or scrambling techniques.

Regardless of the time you decide to embark on the GR20 hike, be prepared to face a variety of weather conditions. It's common to experience a diverse range of temperatures within a single day, including thunderstorms, cold, fog, heat, and sunshine. To ensure you're equipped for any situation, it's crucial to bring suitable gear and clothing for the season. Keep an eye out for weather alerts and consult with refuge guardians each morning before taking on a new segment of the route.

Although some accommodations might provide blankets in pillows, you should still pack a sleeping bag. To help you figure out what to pack, we have created a special packing list for the GR20.

The GR20 is certainly one of the hardest long distance walks out there, partially due to its location. When evaluating your fitness level before taking on the full GR20 hike, you should keep in mind that it is a relatively remote trail stretching through the very centre of Corsica, making it difficult to stop the hike before reaching the halfway point in Vizzavona. Once there, you can choose to end your hike early and be proud of yourself for what you've accomplished.

If you can't continue the tour due to an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services, available at the 112 number. If you are near one of the refuges, you can also ask the refuge guardian for assistance.

The GR20 is a very popular hike with a relatively short season and is estimated that over 10.000 hikers hike the trail every year. Due to limited spatial availability in most of the refuges (most of them have a capacity of roughly 35 indoor sleeping options), it is advised that you book your tour early as accommodations along the route tend to fill up quickly. We would recommend you book the tour a couple of months in advance, preferably before winter if you are planning your hike in the following year.