Corsica GR20: Toughest Trail in Europe

The Corsica GR20 is one of the great walks of Europe, comparable in length to the Tour of Mont Blanc and similar in quality to the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, which we had climbed in 1989. This is an account of doing the GR20 in 2001 and 2004.  We also had excursions to the Aiguilles de Bavella and Monte Renosu, two high level variants of the GR20 route.

The route

The GR20 runs across Corsica from northwest to southeast, from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south. The path crosses jagged peaks that are snow-covered for much of the year, as well as high mountain pastures and pine woods carpeted with wildflowers in spring. It is over 130 miles long, involves over 25,000 metres of ascent and descent, and takes nearly two weeks. It is divided into two sections by a small gauge railway that crosses the GR20 at Vizzavona. We walked the northern part from Calenzana to Vizzavona in 2001 and the southern part from Conca to Vizzavona in 2004, when we had just turned sixty.

How we did it

We didn’t have a guide or go with an organised group. Like so many who do this walk, we found our own way. We carried all our food and the minimum of gear and clothing. Although we stayed in refuges, we had warm sleeping bags, camping mats and a bivi bag. So we could have slept rough if we’d had to.

Reflections

Although we were slower than we were when we were young, we managed fine and really enjoyed it. Our account will introduce you to the joys of multi-day high-level walking and maybe encourage you to try it for yourself.

Published 18 Sep 2017, 76 pages, ISBN 9781912460090