Daily Itinerary

We meet at the Hotel Bel Horizon  in Calenzana. You should arrive in the afternoon so we can check our gear. In the evening we will go out to a good Corsican restaurant for dinner. (Lodging and dinner included)

In seven hours we climb up onto the mountain ridge to the Refuge L’Ortu Piobbu at 1570m. It is a difficult start with a considerable vertical rise and we will start early. We set up tents in the vicinity of the refuge. Meals not included. 12km (7.5m), Ascent 1550 m (5086 ft), 7h
Option: ascend Monte Corona, 2143m, in two and a half hour round trip from the refuge.

In another tough day, we traverse rocky mountain slopes with a great deal of up and down to the Refuge de Carozzu at 1270m. Meals not included. (8km(5m),Ascent 750m(2460 ft), Descent 1050m(3445ft), 6.5 hours

We descend into the Spasimata gorge and follow steel cables up bare rock slabs, then climb up steeply to a rocky col, traverse to another col and descend steeply to Haut Asco. (1422m) Here we will stay in the Hotel Le Chalet. Lodging, evening meal and breakfast provided.  6km, (4m), Ascent 860m (2280 ft),  Descent 710m, (2330 ft), 6.5 h.

After three tough days, we take a well merited rest. If the shuttle service permits, we may be able to take an excursion to Asco village and the gorges of Asco. Lodging, evening meal and breakfast provided.

Most consider this the hardest day. We traverse the notorious Cirque de la Solitude, first ascending to the Col Perdu and then descending into the Cirque making use of steel cables. Then we descend down a broad valley to the Auberge U Vallone (1440m) Pools in the river offer a chance to swim. Meals and lodging at own expense. 9km,(5.5m), Ascent 1000m( 3289ft), Descent 1000m(3280ft), 6.5 h

We walk up a wooded valley and up to a rocky col, the Bocca di Foggiale (1962m) then down into a river valley (possibility of swimming) and traverse over to the Castel Di Vergio,1404m. Lodging included in hotel. 15km(9.5m),Ascent  850m(2790ft) Descent, 870m,(2855ft) , 6h;

This is a relatively easy day with some flat sections and woodland. We pass Lake Ninu and the Bergeries de Vaccaghja where we may stop for refreshments. We spend the night at Refuge Manganiu, 1601m. Meals at own expense 17km(10.5m), Ascent 670m, (2220ft),Descent 475m (1560ft),  6h.

In another tough day, we climb to the highest point on the GR20, the Breche de Capilletu, 2225 m. Passing the Melo and Capilletu lakes, we traverse over to the Col de la Haute Route and then descend to the Refuge de Pietra Plana 1842m. Meals at own expense.  10km(6m),Ascent 980m,(3220ft), Descent 740m(2430ft) ,7h
An option here is to ascend Mt Ritondu, 2622m, 8602ft, the second highest summit in Corsica, from the refuge in 4 miles, 2790 feet up and down in about 4.5 hours. The next day is relatively easy, so we may be able to do this summit too.

We follow open mountain ridges to the Refuge de L’Onda at 1431 m and descend to the campsite near the Bergeries de L’Onda (Meals not included) 8km, (5m), Ascent 390m (1280ft) Descent 800m (2625ft), Time 5h

In another spectacular day on open mountain ridges, we will have a chance to go to the top of Monte d’Oru at 2389 m. This will take an additional hour and a half from the trail. Then we continue on and descend to the village of Vizzavona at 920 m. The shuttle takes us to our final nights lodging in the old style Hotel Monte d’Oro, described as among the most congenial hotels in Corsica. Lodging, dinner and breakfast included. 13km (8m) Ascent 990m (3250ft) Descent1500m (4920ft), 7.5 h

After breakfast, we bid farewell. Our adventure is over. Vizzavona is on the railroad between Bastia and Ajaccio with four trains a day. It also has frequent bus service.
You may wish to consider spending a day in Corte, the mountain capital of Corsica that is only 15 km away.