The GR20 North packs in the rockiest and most technical sections: boulder fields, slabs, chains and the Pointe des Éboulis, the highest point of the route. It is the half chosen by those who only have a week and a half and are after a high-mountain atmosphere.
The finish at Vizzavona, served by the Ajaccio – Bastia train, makes it easy to head home.
Day-by-day plan
| Day | Leg | Distance | Ascent | Descent | Walking time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calenzana → Ortu di u Piobbu | 11.4 km | 1,420 m | 170 m | 5h30 – 6h30 | Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu | |
| Ortu di u Piobbu → Carrozzu | 7.3 km | 650 m | 930 m | 4h15 – 5h | Refuge de Carrozzu | |
| Carrozzu → Haut-Asco | 4.9 km | 760 m | 570 m | 3h45 – 4h15 | Haut-Asco | |
| Haut-Asco → Tighjettu | 8.4 km | 1,150 m | 920 m | 5h45 – 6h45 | Tighjettu and Bergeries de Ballone | |
| Tighjettu → Ciottulu di i Mori | 6.3 km | 650 m | 330 m | 3h – 3h30 | Ciottulu di i Mori | |
| Ciottulu di i Mori → Manganu | 25.1 km | 710 m | 1,120 m | 7h15 – 8h30 | Refuge de Manganu | |
| Manganu → Petra Piana | 8.4 km | 810 m | 540 m | 4h – 4h45 | Refuge de Petra Piana | |
| Petra Piana → L'Onda | 10 km | 490 m | 900 m | 4h – 4h45 | Refuge de l'Onda | |
| L'Onda → Vizzavona | 9.5 km | 620 m | 1,100 m | 4h45 – 5h30 | Vizzavona | |
| Total | 91 km | 7,260 m | 6,580 m | |||
Distances and ascent calculated on the waymarked main route; “≈” marks a day on a variant (estimated values). Walking times according to the DIN 33466 standard, without breaks.
The itinerary on the map
one color per dayD1overnight stoprest of the GR20variants
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Customize this itineraryTips for this itinerary
- The north is the most demanding half: don't choose it to “ease yourself in gently”.
- Plan to fly into Calvi and home from Ajaccio or Bastia.
The stages in detail
1
Calenzana Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu
0 m250 m500 m750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km5 km10 km
2
Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu Refuge de Carrozzu
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km
3
Refuge de Carrozzu Haut-Asco
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km1 km2 km3 km4 km5 km
4
Haut-Asco Refuge de Tighjettu
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m2,750 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km
5
Refuge de Tighjettu Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km
6
Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori Refuge de Manganu
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km10 km20 km
7
Refuge de Manganu Refuge de Petra Piana
1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km
8
Refuge de Petra Piana Refuge de l'Onda
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km
9
Refuge de l'Onda Vizzavona
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km