Corsica Haute Route - Trekking the GR20
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Morning rendezvous at Bastia Airport. KE Land Only package services begin with a group transfer by minibus across the island and southwards to the Col de Bavella, and then to Zonza where we overnight in a yurt.
Day 2: We take the 'alpine variant' of this stage of the GR20, which passes through the very heart of the massif of Bavella to the Asinau Valley. Overnight at the Asinau refuge.
Day 3: Plateau du Cuscionu and we follow a high technical ridge to Monte Alcudina (2134m), the rocky high point of southern Corsica, before we descend to the high grazing Plateau de Cuscionu and follow another high ridge to Usciolu Refuge.
Day 4: We continue along the ridge to the Col de Laparo. More high level walking takes us on to the Refuge de Prati, with its WW2 memorial, beyond which we descend to the Col de Verde (1289m).
Day 5: Traversing the flanks of Monte Renosu we pass the small ski station of Capanelle and on via the Boca Palmente (1640m) to descend through the forest to Vizzavona (920m).
Day 6: A big climb following the Agnone Valley, to cross the flanks of Monte D'Oro near Punta Muratello at 2100m. We descend a ridge to our overnight camping stop next to the beautiful Refuge de l'Onda (1431m).
Day 7: We have 2 options today with GR20 variants, and the route we will take will depend on the group and the weather. The high level route is steep and exposed along the Pinzi Corbini ridge down to Petra Piana Refuge (1840m) where we camp. Alternatively we take a low level route which is longer and offers some great swimming spots!
Day 8: From here we cross the Col de la Haute Route passing high above Rinoso lake and lac de Mello, we follow the GR20 across the rocky breche of Capitellu (2225m) and then descend to reach the shepherds' cabins at Vaccaja (1621m). Camp.
Day 9: An easy trail along lush green spongy grass passes Lac de Nino, and then we ascend to the Col Bocca a Reta. We drop down and follow a ridge to another col from where we descend through the forest to Castel di Vergio, another small 'ski station.'
Day 10: We follow the base of the valley and then ascend steeply to the ridge-line and enjoy a lovely ridge walk to Ciottulu where we have panoramic views of the coastline and sea. From here we continue through the granite rocks and pine trees and descend to the cabin of Vallone. Camp.
Day 11: An exciting mountain day, as we traverse the 'Cirque of Solitude' to the Col Perdu and make the long descent to Haut Asco (1422m), where we stay in a hotel.
Day 12: We climb to the rugged Col a Muvrella (2000m) and descend to the Refuge de Carrozzu.
Day 13: A steep start to the day takes us up to 2000m and we follow rugged alpine terrain to the Refuge Ortu di u Piobbu.
Day 14: A long descent with stunning coastal views, takes us to Calenzana (255m). From here we make the transfer to Bastia and our hotel.
Day 15: KE Land Only package service end after breakfast
