The Fra li monti corse, which the mainlanders know better by the name of GR20, is the hike of superlatives. "The most beautiful in Europe" for some, "the most difficult in France" for others ... It is also the most popular. Its reputation fascinates and attracts an international crowd of walkers every year. Cut into sixteen stages, the route connecting Calenzana, in Haute-Corse, to Conca, in Southern Corsica, provides for four to eight hours of walking per day, over 200 km. Seasoned athletes can finish their “gehervin” faster, by doubling or tripling the stages. But they then deprive themselves of friendly stops that bring together in the shelters the multicolored community of hikers at the time of freeze-dried soup.
Permanent wonder
Whether they decide to make the GR20 in the North / South direction or vice versa, the walkers chain with equal happiness the sharp ridges with the vast plateaus. The route, very well marked in red and white, follows ancient transhumance paths on which we can still cross a few herds. The northern half of the GR20, which ends in Vizzavona after nine days of hiking, alone offers countless opportunities to marvel and torture your calves. Dantesque landscapes of pink or gray granite, interspersed with green pozzines and icy torrents, make up the wild setting of this exceptional trek.
A demanding route
Until 2016, all the walkers who claimed to complete the GR20 had to confront the vertiginous walls of the Cirque de la Solitude. This dreaded stage, where we progressed in ledge thanks to chains and ladders, was closed following a landslide. Since then, the path has been diverted to approach safely Monte Cinto, the highest point in Corsica.
The GR20 is therefore aimed at walkers capable of evolving on uneven terrain. Before rubbing it, it is imperative to respect certain rules. First, lighten your bag as much as possible. Then be well equipped. Weather protection is essential, for example, even in summer. Finally, the itinerary presupposes some prior reservations, because bivouacs are only authorized in certain specific areas, near shelters where places are also limited.
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Go.
To start the GR20 from the North, embark on a ferry to Calvi from where a bus allows you to reach Calenzana in 30 minutes. The trail is passable from mid-June until mid-October . The months of September and October make it possible to avoid crowds and hot weather.
Restore.
After each step, it is difficult to resist the omelets, cold cuts and cheeses served in the shelters. But beware: the note can turn out to be salty! In Vizzavona, the Chef's restaurant at the station allows you to finish the first half of the journey by fighting back without breaking the bank.
Information.
The site of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica brings together all the useful information to prepare your hike, step by step.
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