Campsite
1,683 m
Aire de bivouac de Tighjettu
Tighjettu · GR20 km 32
The pitches are laid out around the Tighjettu hut. Campers have a summer kitchen under the building and toilets…
Elevation profile
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km1 km2 km3 km4 km5 km6 kmRefuge de Ciottulu di i Mori 1,991 m
| Waypoint | Altitude | Km |
|---|---|---|
| Refuge de Tighjettu | 1,683 m | 0 km |
| Bergeries de Ballone | 1,440 m | 1.2 km |
| Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori | 1,991 m | 6.4 km |
The route
After the hardest stage of the route, this one is short. You first descend to the Bergeries de Ballone (shepherds' huts), where you can eat and stock up, then climb the upper Viru valley, among pines and mountain streams.
The final climb leads to the Ciottulu di i Mori hut (1,991 m), one of the highest on the GR20, at the foot of Paglia Orba and facing Capu Tafunatu, the “pierced mountain”. The free afternoon lets you recover or attempt a nearby summit.
Many hikers carry straight on to Castel di Vergio, yet the official stages stop here, and this night at altitude is one of the finest in the north.
Practical tips
- Make the most of the Bergeries de Ballone for a hot meal or some cheese.
- Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu are not waymarked: the routes follow cairns and include sections of easy climbing.
- The Tighjettu – Ballone area was affected by the July 2026 fire: check the state of the trail before the season.
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.
| Km | Point | Type | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 km | Fontaine de Ciuttulu | Water point | 1,996 m |
Source: refuges.info (CC BY-SA), points less than 250 m from the trail.
Variants on this stage
Stage map
Where to stay on stage 5?
Accommodation along the stage, at the finish or on its variants, in walking order.
Tighjettu and Bergeries de Ballone 3 places to stay
Refuge
1,683 m
©Refuge de Tighjettu
Tighjettu (Crucetta hollow, above the Viru) · GR20 km 32
Hut reached at the end of the most alpine stage of the northern GR20, which now goes via the Pointe des Éboulis since…
Campsite
1,440 m
Bergerie de Ballone (U Vallone)
Ballone, Viru valley (Spelonche locality) · GR20 km 33.2
Family-run shepherds' hut (bergerie) about 25 minutes below the Tighjettu hut, beside the Viru. There is no dormitory…
Ciottulu di i Mori 2 places to stay
Campsite
1,991 m
©SurroundingsAire de bivouac de Ciottulu di i Mori
Ciottulu di i Mori · GR20 km 38.3
High-altitude bivouac area, at nearly 2,000 m, next to the hut: bring a warm sleeping bag. It shares the new toilets…
Refuge
1,991 m
©SurroundingsRefuge de Ciottulu di i Mori
Ciottulu di i Mori (below Paglia Orba, near Bocca di Foggiale) · GR20 km 38.3
The highest hut on the GR20, perched at nearly 2,000 m under the east face of Paglia Orba, midway along the stage from…