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Variant Stage 13: Refuge d'Usciolu – Plateau du Cuscionu (Matalza)

Incudine variant (old direct route)

The old direct route between Usciolu and Asinau, along the Incudine ridges: shorter than going via the Cuscionu, but more technical.

9.6 km 6 mi720 m 2,362 ft ascent280 m 919 ft descent3h30 – 4h15Monte Alcudina (Incudine) 2,134 m 7,001 ftHard
Variant GPX track

Elevation profile

1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 kmMonte Alcudina (Incudine) 2,134 m
Elevation profile: from 1,438 m to 2,104 m over 9.6 km.

Description

Before 2011, the GR20 linked Usciolu directly to Asinau along the ridges of the Incudine (Monte Alcudina, 2,134 m), the highest summit in Corse-du-Sud. The official route now goes via the Cuscionu plateau and its accommodation.

The old route is still passable: shorter, it involves more ascent and more technical sections, and several guidebooks rate its waymarking as poor. It lets you link Usciolu – Asinau in a single day.

Tips

  • The waymarking is sometimes hard to spot: a map and GPX track are essential.
  • Avoid it in fog or thunderstorms.

Map