The GR20 trail on Corsica is considered Europe’s most beautiful hiking trail, and it’s renowned in the outdoor community. Corsica, made famous by Napoleon, attracts countless visitors with its beautiful, long coastline, azure sea, and white, fine-grained beaches.
Corsica is actually a true mountain in the sea, with high mountains in the north reaching for the sky, peaceful and beautiful bays in the south, and lakes in the mountains that hang like mirrors. However, the hiking trails are difficult and dangerous. The GR20 trail is 180 kilometers long, wild, desolate, charming, and challenging. On the most difficult stretches, you even need to walk on cliffs with no safety measures and less than an inch of foothold while carrying a backpack.
Corsica is located in the Mediterranean Sea southwest of France and is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean. Corsica boasts the most charming golden coast in all of Europe. The terrain of Corsica is mountainous, with peaks towering across the island. The entire island has a Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 15.5 degrees Celsius. Most of the area is covered with shrubs, which emit a fragrant smell, spreading the aroma to the sea, earning Corsica the nickname of “Fragrant Island”.
The seemingly unreachable center of Corsica has always attracted people. There’s a saying among Corsicans, “To hide in the dense inland”. That’s what the Corsican guerrillas did in the 18th century, as they fought for independence from the Genoese.
Corsica gained independence in 1755, only to be conquered again by the French in 1769. The GR20 truly disappears into the hills. It follows the ancient seasonal livestock migration paths and rugged ridges, creating a diagonal path from northwest to southeast, from the olive-growing village of Calenzana (the site of a nationalist independence in 1732) to the village of Conca.
The route reaches its highest point at 2225 meters at the Capitello di Broccia, and then splits into 16 sections, with simple shelters along the way. These shelters have communal kitchens, and they also sell expensive supplies. From here, you can overlook the glacial lakes and icy peaks, and you can also see the rare European mouflon.
English name: CORSICA’S GR20
Location: Corsica, France, located in southeastern France and western Italy
Length: 180 kilometers
Duration: 16 days
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Months: Late June, Early September
Important note: On this hiking trail, because transportation is difficult to reach, and it is difficult to transport materials manually, most supplies are transported by helicopter.
Day 1: Arrive in Nice
Day 2: Nice – Calvi – Corte
Day 3: Corte – Vergio saddle
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Cumulative Ascent/Descent: -410m/+810m meters
Highest Altitude: 1850 meters
Day 4: Vergio saddle – Galéria
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Cumulative Ascent/Descent: -800m/+800m meters
Highest Altitude: 770 meters
Day 5: Galéria – Piana
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Cumulative Ascent/Descent: -480m/+810m meters
Day 6: Piana
Day 7: The island of Corsica – Nice
1. You can choose rural accommodation, which has much better conditions than the REFUGE. However, many campsites on the north line can only choose REFUGE. Although the conditions are very simple, they are usually bunk beds, with fleas and bugs. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and spray plenty of insect repellent, but it’s safer than pitching a tent on a steep cliff.
2. It’s not a good idea to hike at night on steep cliffs. It’s cold and windy at night, and very dangerous. So, plan your itinerary carefully. No matter when you start, you must reach the campsite before nightfall.
3. The GR20 trail on Corsica can be traversed from north to south, or from south to north. Most people recommend walking from north to south. The northern section has amazing peaks and is relatively difficult. The southern section mainly goes through lush meadows and forests, with beautiful scenery and a gentler route.
4. Walking up hills among huge stones, and carrying a backpack, will consume a lot of energy. But you must be careful and pay attention to your footing. On narrow stretches where the valley lies below, you must walk close to the rock face. Be careful that your backpack shifts your center of gravity outward. Grab onto any rocks you can, move slowly, keep your body close to the rock face, and make sure you’re stepping firmly on each step before moving on.
5. Corsica is hot and humid in the summer, and very cold in the winter. The most suitable time to traverse this route is from late June to early September. On the GR20, because transportation is difficult to reach, and it is difficult to transport materials manually, most supplies are transported by helicopter. However, in the unpredictable summer and cold winter months, there will be no helicopter transportation, and the road conditions will be more dangerous.
6. When hiking in Europe, dry bread is the staple food for lunch. This route is all mountainous, making supplies difficult. And due to the dangerous conditions, most people choose to travel light. Bread is a necessity, and carrying too much is inconvenient. Bread is usually unlimited at the guesthouses. Only eating bread can be monotonous. Experienced hikers will bring some sausages or jerky. They don’t weigh much, but they are high in calories. They are also more flavorful when eaten with bread.
7. Hiking in mountainous areas, hiking poles are essential. You must also bring insect repellent.
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