GR 20 | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Departure | Calenzana |
|---|---|
| Stage | Vizzavona |
| Arrival | Conca |
| Duration | 16 days |
| Country |  France |
| Location | |
 42 ° 7 ′ 38 ″ N 9 ° 7 ′ 58 ″ E | |
the long-distance hiking trail 20 cross the Corsica North West (Calenzana, near Calvi) in the South-East (at Conca, around Porto-Vecchio) following as closely as possible the main watershed of the island.
Understand
The route takes place partly at altitudes above 2 000 mIt is therefore a summer route which is normally only practicable from the beginning of June due to the heavy snow cover. It can, on the other hand and without inconvenience, be walked until the beginning of November.
Although the GR20 does not have, from a technical point of view, any really difficult passage, it is an overall very alpine course, with significant drops in level and many sections without trail in rocky terrain, sometimes very steep. . The passages which could be dangerous are equipped (chains, ladder). He has the reputation of being the toughest GR inEurope.
Steps
 Crossing Corsica by the GR 20 | The GR20 has 16 stages:
However, some stages can be doubled and many variations are offered to GR20 hikers. Likewise, it is possible to travel it from South to North, or it can be taken along the way, in particular Vizzavona which distinguishes between the GR 20 North and the GR 20 South. Stage 6 officially announced at 8 h requires, for many, up to 10 h . Since the previous step does 4 h , it may be wise not to spend the night in Tighjettu, but to continue to another refuge (not managed by the Regional Natural Park of Corsica) located at 2 h Steps. Result: two stages of 6 h instead of one of 4 and one of 10. |
To go
By public transport, Calenzana is accessible by bus from Calvi,Vizzavona is accessible by train (Ajaccio, Corte, Bastia, Calvi). The refuge of Conca offers a shuttle to / from Saint Lucia or Porto-Vecchio.
To buy
Silver
No ticket dispenser is available along the route or even in Calenzana or Conca. And no refuge, except that of Onda, accepts a bank card. Checks are difficult to accept. Vizzavona, limit between the northern and southern part of the route, it is possible to take the train to Corte which has several banks and distributors.
In order to carry less money, it is possible to book and pay in advance the nights in the cottages of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica (see the Accommodation section).
Cards
Guides
- Topo guide "Across the Corsican mountain" (FFRP / PNRC) (ISBN2856999557)
- "Le grand chemin: All stages of the GR 20"(ISBN2905124504)
1/25000
- IGN 4149 OT map "Calvi"
- IGN 4250 OT map "Corte - Monte Cinto"
- IGN 4251 OT map "Monte d'Oro - Monte Rotondo"
- IGN 4252.OT Map "Monte Renoso"
- Map IGN 4253.ET "Bavella needles"
1/100000
- IGN TOP100073 Map "Bastia Corte" (covers the entire GR20-North)
- IGN TOP100 / 74 map "Ajaccio Bonifacio" (covers the entire GR20-Sud)
Eat
Most shelters offer meals, but it is better to pack food in your bag for 2-3 days of autonomy (freeze-dried food or cans with fish for example). It is possible to refuel in the shelters or by making a detour to go back down to a village. However, the meals offered at the shelters are quite expensive (around twenty euros per person for a full meal), which is due to their remote location (at least according to what officials say). Please note that the shelters start to open at the end of May, but have not yet been supplied The shelters sell supplies (pasta, copa, bread, Canistrelli, ...) but the supply can vary greatly from one refuge to another. the other (and relatively expensive, for example at Onda, the March is three euros, the Pietra more than six, the pitcher of local wine at ten, the local cheese at 12).
Along the route there is a grocery store in Castel de Vergio (stage 6), in Vizzavona, and at the Col de Bavella (stage 15).
Bread supply can be a problem. To the question "do you sell bread?", You will often be answered no, but if you buy cheese or sausage then you can also buy the bread that goes with it! So, to have bread two days in a row, buy cheese on the first day and sausage the next day, asking for bread each time.
Housing
Being a natural park, it is strictly forbidden to bivouac or to make wild camping under penalty of fine. You will have to put your tent around the shelters (7 € per person) or sleep inside the shelters (14 € per person). The shelters also rent tents (14 € in addition to 6 € from the bivouac).
Overnight stays in the PNRC (Corsica Regional Natural Park) refuges can be booked online at the address http://www.parc-corse.org/vad/ : This allows you to take less money with you, but requires you to respect a schedule set in advance.
There are also other shelters that are not part of the PNRC. Thus, a refuge located between Ciotullu di Mori and Manganu makes it possible to better divide stages 5 (duration 4 h ) and 6 (duration 8 h at least) in two stages of 6 h .
Note that some shelters still experience bed bug problems despite treatment, so many hikers prefer to sleep in their tents. This phenomenon is present on many hiking trails and a certain number of walkers preventively treat their effects (backpack, sleeping bag or travel sheet) with a suitable insecticide.
