Corsica GR20 North

What's Included

• Accommodation
  gites/refuges

• 5 breakfasts – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. 4 picnic lunches – they generally consist of sandwiches, salads, fruits, vegetables – depending on what products are available. 5 dinners – will

• 8 nights accommodation: 4 nights in gîtes d’etapes (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

• Luggage transfers: Calenzana - Bonifatu - Haut Asco - Verghio - Vizzavona - max 15 kg and one piece of luggage per person. Note there is no luggage transfer to Vallone (day 3) or to the refuges (day 5-6-7) - you need to carry your gear required in your r

• Information pack - smartphone app with maps and route book

• Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana on day 1 by taxi

• Emergency hotline

• Travel to Calvi and from Vizzavona

• Luggage transfer on days 3 & 5-7

• Meals not listed as included - all meals at the refuges to be paid on the spot, drinks

• Travel insurance - mandatory

• Storage of excess luggage and parking

• Transfers and alternative accommodation which may be required in the event of bad weather

• Guide – this is a self guided walking holidays

• Optional set of IGN maps (x6) - supplement applies, must be prebooked & prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica). As a back up to Navigational App only.

• Sleeping bag / sleeping bag hire - bring your own (sleeping mats are provided in the tents)

• Items of a personal nature

What's Not Included

• Meals not noted as included - all meals at the refuges to be paid on the spot, drinks

• Tour guide – this is a self guided trip

• Travel insurance

• Optional set of IGN maps - supplement applies, must be prebooked & prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica)

• Optional set of IGN maps (x6) - supplement applies, must be prebooked & prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica)

• Optional set of IGN maps (x6) - supplement applies, must be prebooked & prepaid (supplied locally in Corsica). Note, the app is your best option, with physical maps as a backup.

Accommodation

gites
efuges
During the trip you will have four nights in gîtes d’étapes (in mixed sex dormitories for 5-6 people with shared bathrooms - option to upgrade to double room on some nights* must be requested at time of booking).
Four nights will be spent in a tent (2-person) - in Vallone and at the refuges - a sleeping bag is required (sleeping mats are provided).
Please be aware that facilities will be basic and normally on a shared basis. Hot showers should be available each night, but 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.