Hike the southern part of the GR20

A unique 6-day hike, which starts in Bavella pass and follows the classic trail of the GR20 (south section) to finish in Vizzavona.

Here are, according to me, the highlights of this beautiful hike:

-Respect for the original route, and the “extras” of the guide

-One unavoidable passage before the GR20 (north section)

-Amount of people in the group limited to 12

-Customized evaluation of the participants’ level

-Mountain guide specialized and skilled on GR20

-A backpack carried by our assistance team

Many people ask me how a typical day on the legendary GR20 is like, well here’s what it looks like 😉

Most of the days start around 7AM for breakfast. Then, the day is planned for 6 to 8 hours of walking, interspersed by pauses and lunch. The picnics are a privileged moment of the day. We pay particular attention to their composition. We cross the passes and peaks, and we cross various rivers throughout the trip. In the afternoon, we rejoin the refuge or the sheepfold. It is then time for a shower and to recover.

In the evening, the guard or shepherd prepares a “mountain” dinner, which we will enjoy around 7PM.

Here is the schedule and itinerary that I propose for the south section of the GR20.

Day 1 – From Bavella to Asinau
-Reception in the early morning at Ajaccio. Transfer to Bavella pass.
-We take the Alpine variant to cross Bavella.
-Night at Asinau.
-Duration: 4 hours / Positive vertical drop: 810 m / Negative vertical drop: -410 m / Distance: 6.7 km

Day 2 – From Asinau to Bassetta / Crocci
-Morning climbing to The Includine (2134 m). Cross the plateau grasslands in Cuscione. The landscape is softened.
-Night at Bassetta or Crocci sheepfold
-assistance bag is available
-Duration: 5.30 hours / Positive vertical drop: 710 m / Negative vertical drop: -900 m / Distance: 12.3 km

Day 3 – From Bassetta/Crocci to Usciolu
-We walk on the crest of the ridge statues, between the granite boulders eroded by the wind, with the backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
-Night at the Usciolu refuge
-Duration: 4.30 hours / Positive vertical drop: 630 m / Negative vertical drop: -210 m / Distance: 8.4 km

Day 4 – From Usciolu to Prati / Verde
-We continue our trip towards the North by an air route of ridges, on the watershed line between Taravu Valley and the eastern plain. During the journey we climb the Punta Capella (2041 m).
-Night at Prati refuge or Col de Verde lodge.
-assistance bag if the night is at Verde
-Duration: 7 hours / Positive vertical drop: 790 m / Negative vertical drop: -1240 m / Distance: 14.5 km

Day 5 – From Prati/Verde to Capanelle
-Across the Marmano forest, we join the Pozzi du Renoso plateau with its lawns dotted with water holes. Then we find a former walkway that makes the easiest step of the GR20.
-Night at Capanelle lodge.
-assistance bag is available
-Duration: 6 hours / Positive vertical drop: 850 m / Negative vertical drop: -520 m / Distance: 18.6 km

Day 6 – From Capanelle to Vizzavona
-We reach the Palmente pass (1640m) crossing an ancient mule track. There the eastern coast emerges, offering a wide panorama of the Diana and Urbinu ponds. Descent to the Vizzavona forest and return to Ajaccio.
-assistance bag is available
-Duration: 5 hours / Positive vertical drop: 220 m / Negative vertical drop: -890 m / Distance: 15.3 km

The route I suggest respects the original GR20 trail. It departs from only the red and white markings to enjoy an “extra”: top, view, swimming…

It is also possible to do the whole GR20 (chaining with the North GR20) with an intermediate night at Vizzavona gite.

Caution. My team takes your assistance bag when we meet. You should therefore have ready to trek: trekking boots, full bottle, full backpack, closed assistance bag. My team transports your assistance bag to accommodations accessible by road. When they are not accessible, your backpack should therefore contain a sleeping bag and personal belongings needed for nights in refuges or sheepfolds. The evening food and eventually the camping equipment are carried by my team.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in this Corsican adventure, it would be a pleasure to me (or a member of my team) to guide you on this beautiful trail and let you discover its wonders.