EN
Find a bed

Stage 3 of 16 · GR20 North

Stage 3: Refuge de Carrozzu → Haut-Asco

The Spasimata footbridge, the slabs up to Lac de la Muvrella and the Bocca di Stagnu, before dropping down to the Asco ski resort.

5 km760 m ascent590 m descent3h45 – 4h15Bocca di Stagnu 2,010 mHard
GR20 stage 3: Refuge de Carrozzu – Haut-Asco
Photo: Rémih · CC BY-SA 4.0

Elevation profile

1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km1 km2 km3 km4 km5 kmBocca di Stagnu 2,010 m
Elevation profile: from 1,237 m to 1,978 m over 5 km.
WaypointAltitudeKm
Refuge de Carrozzu1,270 m0 km
Passerelle de Spasimata1,190 m0.3 km
Bocca di Stagnu2,010 m3.5 km
Haut-Asco1,422 m5 km

The route

A few minutes after the hut, the Spasimata suspension bridge crosses the torrent: an iconic GR20 crossing, taken one person at a time. The trail then climbs large sloping slabs, some fitted with chains, up to the small Lac de la Muvrella.

Above it, the Bocca di Stagnu (2,010 m) opens onto the Asco valley. The steep, stony descent reaches the small resort of Haut-Asco (Ascu Stagnu), where you will find the Park hut, a privately run establishment, hot showers and somewhere to stock up.

As the PNRC stresses, there is no water point on this stage, and the water in Lac de la Muvrella is not safe to drink. Set off with at least two litres.

Practical tips

  • No water point between Carrozzu and Haut-Asco: carry at least 2 litres.
  • The slabs are slippery in wet weather: take care on the equipped sections.
  • Haut-Asco is one of the few places to resupply in the north, and a possible exit point by road.

Water points and tricky sections

1 water point listed on this stage. Springs can run dry in late summer: ask the hut wardens and treat the water if in doubt.

KmPointTypeAltitude
0.1 kmFontaine de SpasimataWater point1,190 m

Source: refuges.info (CC BY-SA), points less than 250 m from the trail.

Stage map

Where to stay on stage 3?

Accommodation along the stage, at the finish or on its variants, in walking order.

Refuge de Carrozzu 2 places to stay

Aire de bivouac de Carrozzu
Campsite

1,270 m

©

Aire de bivouac de Carrozzu

Carrozzu · GR20 km 18.6

The bivouac area spreads out under the trees behind the hut and has its own summer kitchen and a toilet block. Campers…

  • Bivouac €12 per person; rented…
Refuge de Carrozzu
Refuge

1,270 m

©

Refuge de Carrozzu

Carrozzu (upper Figarella valley) · GR20 km 18.7

Stone hut surrounded by trees, whose terrace has a far-reaching view of the sea. It marks the end of the second stage…

  • 36 beds
  • Overnight stay on a sleeping…

Haut-Asco (Asco Stagnu) 4 places to stay

Aire de bivouac d'Ascu Stagnu
Campsite

1,422 m

©

Aire de bivouac d'Ascu Stagnu

Haut-Asco · GR20 km 23.6

Bivouac area set up in the pine forest around the PNRC hut at Haut-Asco, with a summer kitchen and a fountain…

  • Bivouac €12 per person; rented…
Refuge d'Ascu Stagnu (Haut-Asco)
Refuge

1,422 m

©

Refuge d'Ascu Stagnu (Haut-Asco)

Haut-Asco, Ascu Stagnu resort · GR20 km 23.6

Park hut in the small ski resort of Haut-Asco, at the end of the road that climbs the Asco valley. It is one of the…

  • 32 beds
  • Overnight stay on a sleeping…
Gîte du Chalet (Haut-Asco)
Gîte

1,420 m

©

Gîte du Chalet (Haut-Asco)

Haut-Asco, ground floor of the Hôtel Le Chalet · GR20 km 23.7

Dormitory on the ground floor of the Hôtel Le Chalet, designed from the outset for GR20 walkers finishing their third…

  • Dormitory bed €20 per person…
Hotel

1,420 m

Hôtel-restaurant Le Chalet

Haut-Asco, Ascu Stagnu resort · GR20 km 23.7

Hotel opened in 1964 at the foot of Monte Cinto, a few metres from the PNRC hut at Haut-Asco. It offers a real break…

  • ≈ €115 for a double room…