7-day GR20 Trek in southern Corsica, from Ajaccio

Join UIMLA-certified Mountain Leader Julie on this demanding GR20 7-day trek in southern Corsica, from Ajaccio to Conca.

Private

7 Days

May - Oct

High

Advanced

Highlights

Join one of the most demanding treks in Europe!
Enjoy a traverse through the Aiguilles de Bavella
Cross passes standing at 2000 meters of altitude

Description

If you are looking for a great challenging trek, I have the perfect trip for you! Join me on this 7-day trek on the GR20 in Corsica, the hardest trail in Europe! We will start from Ajaccio/Vizzavona to Conca/Porto Vecchio or Figari, hikig surrounded by breathtaking scenery on the island.

Along the way, we will hike surrounded by breathtaking scenery, over high-altitude lakes, enjoying stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and of over 2000-meter peaks.

This route takes us from the North to the South of the island, on direction of the original arrival point, following an historical path that will let us discover all the beauty of this island.

During these days we will cross the Aiguilles de Bavella, trekking through mountain passes that stand over 2000 meters and reach the summit of Alcudina (2134m), the highest peak in the south of Corsica, enjoying spectacular views over the sea and the mountains.

Bear in mind you this a very demanding route, so you need a very good fitness level to join this trek. We’ll be covering a daily average of 2000m of cumulative altitude, walking for about 5 to 8 hours every day. This does not include resting time and the breaks we’ll take for picnics.

The walking times are calculated for a climb of 300 m per hour uphill, crossing ridges, and 400-meter descents. You also need to have a good flexibility, with no articulatory problems on knees or hips, being able to descend easily. The terrain we will be hiking on is diverse, with screes, rocks and slabs, and also some steep slopes.

Just send me a request if you want to join me on this amazing GR207-day trek! Book your trip and get ready for an unforgettable hiking experience in Corsica. If you have more time available, you could also check out this 10-day GR20 trek from to northwestern-southeastern Corsica

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transportation start and back

Price details

The price per person for groups from 8 to 12 people is 850 EUR /The price includes:
half board accommodation in a gite, tent or dormitory (extracharge for
a room in hotel double, twin or single beds)
picnics in nature
supervision and organization of the stay accompanied by a professional state-certified guide
transfer Ajaccio - Vizzavona and Conca - Porto Vecchio or Figari
This price does not include / Not included:
transfer from continent to Corsica
transport to the meeting point and to dispersion point
drinks and personal expenses
insurance cancellation / repatriation
your hiking equipment (7days/6 nights)
Luggate assistance is possible paying an extra cost of about 120 to 250 EUR per person, depending or the number of days and participants.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ajaccio - Gite de Capanelle

Transfer from Ajaccio airport to Col de Vizzavona or from GR20 route / Gîte de Capanelle (1586m). Hike through the needles of Pinzi Curbini di Uriente, more mountainous and wild, or by the forest, torrents and sheepfolds on the GR20, according to weather condiions. Arrival in the massif of Rinosu (depending on the chosen route: from +900 to +1150m; from -250 to -500m; 5 to 6h00). Dinner and overnight on rutal cottage (dormitory or tent fitted with a self-inflating mattress).

Day 2: Capanelle Cottage- Prai Refuge

E Capanelle / Prai Refuge (1840m). Hiking by Monte Rinosu (2324m) and the beautiful Pozzines Valley (+ 1280m, -1100m, 8h00), by the Rina Lakes (+ 1050m; -900m; 7h00) or by the GR20 route (+ 890m; -590m; 6:00), depending on the weather and the group fitness level. The “Pozzines” are beautiful lawns covered with ilets of water, constituted by an old high-altitude glacial valley. Night in a shelter or tent.

Day 3: Prai Refuge - Usciolu Refuge

Prai / Usciolu Refuge (1750m). Hike through the GR20 route, following a ridge cours, enjoying striking views of the mountains and sea. Dinner and overnight in a shelter or tent (+ 1150m; -850m; 6h30).

Day 4: Usciolu Refuge- Bergerie d'I Croci

Usciolu / Bergeries d’I Croci. Crossing by the ridge of the statues then enjoying a beautiful descent through beeches, the new GR20 and the mulle bergeries, including Basseta and the last goatherd of the plateau. Then we follow to Matalza and I Croci with the warm welcome of Ludo. We enjoy a night under the stars, enjoying one of the most beautiful sunsets. Overnight in a furnished tent or dormitory. (+400 / -715m – 5h)

Day 5: Bergerie d'I Croci - Asinau Refuge

Bergerie d’I Croci /Asinau Refuge (1530m). We follow the new or the old GR20 route, and ascend to the Alcudina summit (2134m). We enjoy a stunnning panoramic view of the highest peaks, over the sea to Ajaccio and almost all the GR20 route (+/- 600 to 700m, 4 to 5h).

Day 6: Asinau Refuge - Gîte de Bavella or Paliri Refuge

Asinau / Gîte de Bavella or Paliri Refuge (1060m). We cross the ridges of Bavella by the alpine variant of the GR20 at the heart of an impressive mass of needles. Overnight stay in a dormitory or another 2 hours o reach the Paliri refuge, the most bucolic of the GR20 refuges. Dinner and overnight in a refuge or tent (+ 400m / -500m to + 650 / -800m, 4h30 to 7h).

Day 7: Bavella or Paliri Refuge - Conca

Bavella or Paliri Refuge / Conca. Last stage of the GR20 and crossing of the southern massif of the Bavella (+ 300m / – 11100m or + 450 / -1400m, 5h to 7h). Transfer from Conca to Porivecchju. End of tour.

Details

More info

Backpack for the day and evening: include a hot duvet, lunch picnic and underwear for 2 days. It is possible to pick up your luggage at each stage or every 2 stages but the layout can be changed and you can sleep in hotel for a fee. Hiking equipment: trekking poles, high waterproof shoes, trousers or sticky, long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses and hat,Equipment for one day:

1 backpack 20 to 30l + rain bag, waterproof jacket and trousers type gore tex, hat, gloves, fleece-type warm clothing or down jacket
Small pharmacy kit + tissue paper
Survival blanket, headlamp, sunscreen and lip lick, 1 to 2 gourdes of 1l
1 picnic and cereal bars / dried fruits / sweets + 1 Tupperware type plastic box, 1 knife, 1 spoon, 1 fork, 1 glass or 1 cup + 1 thermos hot water if needed
your Carte Vitale + check or cash (atention there is no ATM in the mountain villages)
Swimsuit + sarong if you intend to swim in the basins From 2 days, expect more:
a duvet + 2 large trash bags
tights or trousers for the evening + a long-sleeved T-shirt + 1 pair of socks and underwear
1 toothbrush + toothpast
1 bottle of extra 1l The material is obligatory. Departure will be refused to anyone who does not have it. In the mountain weather changes sometimes very fast, even in summer, sometimes accompanied by hail, snow, rain and hunderstorms. Bring your own pharmacy kit, including your potential medications. Before your trip, make an appointment with your doctor. The pharmacy kit can be adapted to your personal needs. Remember to ask your doctor for a prescription.

Meeting point

At 08:00am in Ajaccio, Corsica

About the guide

-Julie

5.0

(1)

Mountain Guide

I am a mountain leader based in Quenza, Corsica. I am state-certified and offer hiking and snowshoeing tours around this beautiful island. And for your added safety, I'm also a firefighter and lifeguard. I enjoy the feeling of freedom I get when in the mountains and also the humbleness that they require. The mountain is wonderful when shared!

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What people are saying about -Julie

Marc

Julien is an outstanding guide who has a true passion for mountains I will gladly recommend him Hike was very challenging but well worth the effort. A true family memory for my daughter and I. A little difficult communication with Explore Share arranging the trip