Corsica GR20 North

What's Included

• Breakfasts

  5 continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices.

• Picnic lunches

  4 picnic lunches generally consist of sandwiches, salads, fruits, and vegetables depending on what products are available.

• Dinners

  5 dinners are included.

• Accommodation

  8 nights accommodation: 4 nights in gîtes d’étapes (dormitories), 4 nights in tents (near the mountain refuges). Note that there is an option to have a double room in gites on some nights - a supplement applies. This option must be requested at the time of booking.

• Luggage transfers

  Luggage transfers from Calenzana to Bonifatu, Haut Asco, Verghio, and Vizzavona with a maximum of 15 kg and one piece of luggage per person. Note there is no luggage transfer to Vallone (day 3) or to the refuges (days 5-7) - you need to carry your gear required in your rucksack.

• Information pack

  A smartphone app with maps and route book is provided.

• Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana

  Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana on day 1 by taxi.

• Emergency hotline

  An emergency hotline is available.

What's Not Included

• Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona

  Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona is not included.
  
  

• Meals not listed as included

  All meals at the refuges are to be paid on the spot, drinks are not included.
  
  

• Travel insurance

  Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
  
  

• Storage of excess luggage and parking

  Storage of excess luggage and parking is not included.
  
  

• Transfers and alternative accommodation in bad weather

  Transfers and alternative accommodation which may be required in the event of bad weather are not included.
  
  

• Tour guide

  This is a self-guided walking holiday, so a tour guide is not included.
  
  

• Optional set of IGN maps

  An optional set of IGN maps (x6) is available for a supplement, must be prebooked and prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica).
  
  This is as a backup to the navigational app only.
  
  

• Sleeping bag

  A sleeping bag is required and not included.
  
  Sleeping mats are provided in the tents.
  
  

• Items of a personal nature

  Items of a personal nature are not included.
  
  

Accommodation

During the trip, you will have four nights in gîtes d’étapes (mixed-sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms, with an option to upgrade to a double room on some nights if requested at the time of booking). Four nights will be spent in a 2-person tent at Vallone and the refuges, where a sleeping bag is required (sleeping mats are provided). Facilities are basic and usually shared, with hot showers available each night, though water may be limited due to high demand.

Grading

CHALLENGING – GRADE 5
This trip requires a good to excellent level of fitness and you should be an experienced hiker, comfortable in alpine terrains through varying weather conditions. It is a requirement of participation that you are able to orient yourself in mountains with a map scaled to 1/25000th. The trip involves 4.5 to 8.5 hiking hours per day on sometimes difficult trails.
The route is the hardest long distance trail in Europe. Certain sections need to be scaled using ladders, bridges and chains. There is much rock scrambling and ascents are up to 1400 metres and very steep in parts. There are sections throughout which would not be suitable for sufferers of vertigo.

What You Carry

On days 2,4 & 8, as the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc. On days 3, 5,6 & 7 you need to carry all gear required for the day as well as your overnight stays including your sleeping bag.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes a transfer from Calvi to Calenzana on day 1 by taxi. Luggage transfers are provided between Calenzana, Bonifatu, Haut Asco, Verghio, and Vizzavona, with a maximum of 15 kg and one piece of luggage per person. Note that there is no luggage transfer to Vallone (day 3) or to the refuges (days 5-7), so you will need to carry your gear required in your rucksack.