GR20 CORSICA 172 KM ASCENT 12,051m OVER 15 DAYS

PLEASE IGNORE THE END TIME: THIS IS A 15-DAY EVENT. ALL TIMES FRENCH TIME

FINAL DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED AROUND 15 AUGUST 2025. I AM ALSO EXPLORING THE BEST OPTIONS RE TRAVEL INSURANCE AND WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ASAP

The GR20 is a true Great Walk and is one of the most difficult in France and probably Europe. Those who attempt it are rewarded with the following (amongst others):

Cirque de la Solitude: a steep and challenging part between Refuge d'Asco Stagnu and Refuge de Tighjettu, where hikers have to climb using the chains bolted to the rock.

Lac de Nino: a glacial lake in the middle of the grassy meadows between Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori and Refuge de Manganu.

Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello: two glacial lakes surrounded by rugged rocks between Refuge de Pietra Piana and Refuge de l'Onda.

Monte d'Oro: the 12th highest summit of Corsica.

Monte Incudine (2134 m): the highest mountain of Corse du Sud (Southern Corsica) with great vistas of the Plateau de Coscione between Refuge d'Usciolu and Refuge d'Asinao.

Aiguilles de Bavella: spectacular cliffs between Refuge d'Asinao and Refuge de Paliri.

THE PLAN

DAY 1: Calenzana-Orto di u Piubbu/6h 15 min, ascent 1,295m

DAY 2: Orto di u Piubbu-Carozzu/6h 30 min, descent 871m

DAY 3: Carozzu-Ascu Stagnu/ 6h 30 min, ascent 750m descent 608m

DAY 4: Stagnu-Tighjettu/7h, ascent 1,000 descent 781m

DAY 5: Tighjettu-Ciottuli di i Mori/4h ascent 607m descent 299m

DAY 6: Ciottuli di i Mori-Manganu/8h ascent 626m descent 926m

DAY 7: Manganu-Petra Piana/6h 30 min ascent 830m descent 589m

DAY 8: Petra Piana-L'Onda/5h ascent 490m descent 900m

DAY 9: L'Onda-Vizzavona/6h30 min ascent 710m descent 1,221m

DAY 10: Vizzavona-Capanelle/5h ascent 890m descent 224m

DAY 11: Capanelle-Prati/6h 15 min ascent 838m descent 584m

DAY 12: Prati-Usciolu/5h15 min ascent 657m descent 747m

DAY 13: Usciolu-Asinau/7h

DAY 14: Asinau-Paliri/6h30min, ascent 408m descent 904

DAY 15: Paliri-Conca/5h, ascent 123 descent 926

What to bring:

Backpack
Hiking poles
Waterproof/plastic pack liner (to keep things inside dry)
Tent and sleeping bag (if tenting in own tent)
Thermal socks, hiking boots
Thermal base layer (e.g. merino), thermal jacket, waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Toilet paper
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Headlights and batteries

FOOD IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT EVERY HUT, AND THERE ARE SHOPS AFTER EVERY 5 STAGES

I will book the huts once the number of attendees is known. Accomodation and food on the GR20 are very affordable.

ALL THOSE SIGNING UP WILL GO ON A WAITING LIST AND I WILL MOVE THEM TO GOING IF I AM SATISFIED THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE HIKE

FOR THE SAFETY OF ATTENDEES, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT PEOPLE LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND FOR NOW SO WE CAN MEET THEM BEFORE THE EVENT AND EVALUATE WHETHER THEY WILL FIT INTO THE GROUP

NOTE:
Your safety is your responsibility.

Do not throw food waste on the trail.

Rafick will lead to control speed of the group, do not go ahead, we are in no rush to finish.

Attendees send $25 to the Rafick after the trip for helping to pay meetup dot com costs and the costs of navigation equipment, maps, etc.