South GR20
Conquer the southern stretch of the GR20
Wander through the ancient forests of Vizzavona
Embrace the solitude of the Coscione plateau’s vast beauty
Gaze upon the majestic peaks of Bavella
Take in the views from the heights of Capannelle
Tackle the GR20's diverse terrain
Find hidden waterfalls in the Vizzavona forest
Come face-to-face with wild horses
Take in the majestic needles of Bavella
Embrace the peacefulness
Test your balance zig-zagging over the highest ridges
Itinerary
Your South GR20 adventure begins in the enchanting Vizzavona, surrounded by lush forests. Use this day to acclimate, gather your final supplies, and mentally prepare for the journey that lies ahead. Ensure your gear is complete, and rest well for the upcoming trek.
Hotel in Vizzavona
Starting from Vizzavona, your first day of the hike features a neatly kept, winding path that meanders through the forest, providing a straightforward trek. Once you cross the elevated pass, the path slopes downward, tracing a mild, undulating course. During your journey, you’ll come across two well-maintained and well-known shepherd huts, Alzeta and Scarpaceghje. A concluding climb through the forest will bring you to your first overnight stop of the hike.
Gite Capannelle
16 km, 1000 elevation gain, 335 m elevation loss
Today will take you towards the picturesque sheep pens at Traghjete, followed by a trek across the expansive Ghialgone Plateau. You will traverse the I Spiazzi footbridge, renowned as a delightful place for a refreshing pause. Afterward, your path will descend through the lush forest, leading you to your resting place for the night at Col de Verde.
Gite Col de Verde
14 km, 320 m elevation gain / 620 elevation loss
This segment of the journey is where the challenge begins. As you set out from Col de Verde, it’s uphill right from the start. The path climbs sharply through the woods, aiming for the ridge above. Upon arriving at the ridge, you are treated to expansive views of the island’s Eastern side. Shortly after, you’ll find the Prati refuge nestled on a quaint plateau. The journey continues along to an even higher ridge, guiding you towards the next refuge. Your destination for the night, Usciolu, is conveniently located just beneath the ridge line, offering a peaceful end to the day’s trek.
Refuge d’Usciolu
16km, 1290 elevation gain / 860 elevation loss
Today’s hike presents a series of steep climbs and descents across fluctuating terrain. The trail from the refuge will lead you back to the ridge line where the path navigates sharply from one side to the other, demanding a slow pace. Keep your focus but do not forget to appreciate the Tyrrhenian Sea stretching out before you. The markings will let you know when to leave the ridge and descend through a forest towards the Coscione plateau. Make sure you get plenty of rest as another demanding trail awaits when you wake up.
Gite Croci
14 km, 340 elevation gain, 640 elevation loss
This section skirts the base of the towering pinnacles that lend Bavella its fame, demanding careful navigation on the rough terrain all the way to Col de Bavella. You will begin today’s hike across the lush, green plains, ascending towards the ridge line and Bocca Chiralba, setting sights on the Alcudini peak, the tallest in the southern part of the route. Once again you will descend from the ridge and the path will lead you into the Asinau Valley, crossing the river, and venturing into the forest. After traversing flat terrain, the path steepens, leading to the ‘Alpine Variant’, which is where your focus and technical knowledge will be tested as you reach your accommodation for the night.
Gite Les Aiguilles de Bavella
15 km, 1030 elevation gain / 1310 elevation loss
Your southern GR20 expedition will conclude with a descent from the majestic Bavella to the serene Conca, blending a sense of accomplishment with introspective moments. Today marks a fitting end to an unforgettable journey through Corsica’s heart.
18km, 530 elevation gain, 1500 elevation loss
Not enough? Why not spend a few more days here! Extend your holidays with a pre- or post-holiday extension. Accommodation, sightseeing, and activities can be arranged. Add as many extra days to your holiday as you wish.
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Self guided
Included in price
Description
Explore the southern section of the GR20 hike!
Designed with the seasoned hiker in mind, the South GR20 Adventure is not just a trek but a journey of discovery and endurance. It invites you to push your limits and test your technical knowledge while soaking in panoramic views that few places on earth can offer. Rest comes at cosy refuges or camping spots, each carefully selected to ensure that you recharge amidst nature’s unparalleled beauty.
The route navigates through the south of Corsica, embracing Capanelle’s scenic tranquillity, the historic Col de Verde, and the remote grandeur of Usciolu, culminating in the serene village of Conca. Each leg of the journey reveals a new facet of Corsica’s mesmerising landscape, from alpine plateaus to ancient forests, commanding respect and offering tranquillity in equal measure.
With GR20 Hike, the logistics of this epic adventure are seamlessly taken care of. From booking accommodations to providing detailed digital guides, luggage transfers and GPS routes, we’ve streamlined the process to let you focus on the journey. Our 24/7 support ensures that you have a helping hand whenever you need it, making this formidable trek accessible and enjoyable.
Get a taste of the GR20 hike and head out to explore the unparalleled beauty of the south of Corsica!
Map
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Things to know
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.
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.
The South section of the GR20 hike begins in Vizzavona, often considered the halfway point between the north and south section. It’s a village in the middle of the mountains that is accessible by train.
Because the main train line crosses Corsica diagonally, you can catch a direct train to Vizzavona from both the Ajaccio and Bastia airport.
Conca, a charming village nestled in the southern part of Corsica, serves as the finishing point for the GR20 trail.
It is situated 20km to the north of the well-known coastal city of Porto-Vecchio.
Many choose to take a shuttle service post-hike, which offers direct routes to Porto Vecchio or Sainte Lucie, the latter being just 6km away from Conca.
It’s advisable to allocate an extra day or two to your trip to discover the wonders of southern Corsica and relax following your trek.
When you wish to return to the mainland, bus services are available from Porto Vecchio to either Figari or Ajaccio airports.
Self-guided
HASSLE-FREE
UNBEATABLE SUPPORT
EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS
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