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, where we overnight in a gite.
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 Bergerie d'Asinau.
Day 3: Monte Alcudina (2134m /7001ft), the rocky high point of southern Corsica, is on our route today, before we descend to the high grazing Plateau de Cuscionu and follow a 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 4229ft). Gite.
Day 5: Traversing the flanks of Monte Renosu (2357m) we pass the small ski station of Capanelle and on via the Boca Palmente (1640m) to descend through the forest to Vizzavona (920m). Gite.
Day 6: A big climb following the Agnone Valley, to cross the flanks of Monte D'Oro near Punta Muratello at 6890 feet. We descend a ridge to our overnight stop at the beautiful Refuge de l'Onda (1431m4695ft).
Day 7: Taking the GR20 variant we follow a high ridge to the Petra Piana Refuge (6037ft). From here we cross the Col de la Haute Route (6955ft) and then descend via the Lacs Du Renosu to Grotelle (4495ft).
Day 8: Skirting 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 passes Lac de Nino followed by ridge and forest walking to Castel di Vergio, another small 'ski station.' From here we hike upwards to the Ciottulu di Mori refuge (1990m)
Day 10: Detouring from the GR20, we make an early morning ascent of Paglia Orba (2525m) for fine views across the island, then descend to the cabin of Vallone. Camp.
Day 11: An exciting mountain day, as we traverse the 'Cirque of Solitude' to the Col du Perdu and make the long descent to Haut Asco (1422m), where we stay in a hotel.
Day 12: We climb to cross the rugged Col a Muvrella (2000m) and descend to the Refuge de Carrozu.
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
