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On the mythical GR20 trail

Date

From September 5 to 15, 2024 

Duration of the trip

11 days

Level of difficulty

Advanced

As soon as you arrive in Ajaccio, famed birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and capital of Corsica, your 11-day adventure begins. The Mediterranean charms of the city set the stage for a fantastic 108 km journey through the great hike trails of the GR 20. The pedestrian route is often touted as one of the most beautiful of the planet. This trip between sky, sea and mountains will allow you to observe varied panoramas that will confirm, at every turn, the well deserved name of beauty island given to Corsica. This intermediate challenge requires no special equipment. Good walking shoes and a taste for adventure will suffice for an unforgettable experience that will forever be engraved in memory.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Montréal – Ajaccio, Corsica : Participants meet at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal. Check-in assistance and flight to Ajaccio, Corsica with connections in Europe. Dinner and breakfast served on overnight flight.
  • Day 2: Ajaccio : Arrival at the end of the day and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at hotel. Dinner included
  • Day 3: Col de Vizzavona at the heart of the mountain : After breakfast, meet up with your guide and transfer to the Col de Vizzavona, located at the centre of the island. Following the GR20 south, part of the famous path that crosses the whole island through the mountains, one of the most difficult hiking trails in Europe, the hike takes you through the Regional Natural Park of Corsica in the direction of Bocca Palmente. Accommodation at hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude: + 690m, -690m / Distance: 13 km / Duration : 6 hrs
  • Day 4: The GR20, Punta Muratello : Depart on the GR20 north, In the shade of the beech trees and Larici pines towards. In the shadow of the Vizzavona Pass, the route enters the Valley of Agnone. This hike is an opportunity to discover the specific nature of this region, its culture and history Your hike takes you to Punta Muratello, which rises to 2141 meters above sea level and offers magnificent views of Monte d'Oro. The return is by the same way. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude: + 1200m, -1200m / Distance: 15 km / Duration : 7 hrs
  • Day 5: Grotelle - Manganu : You will have a 30 minutes transfer to reach the start of the hike. This stage is one of the highest levels of the GR20. Through the high valley of the Restonica and its famous lakes of Melo and Capitello, you will cross altitude gaps at more than 2200 m. The snow persists for a long time in these high mountain places. Then begins an alpine descent, towards the green pastures of the Camputile plateau. Night in bivouac with double tent (no access to your bags for this night). Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude : + 940m, - 720m / Distance : 8,5 km / Duration : 6 hrs
  • Day 6: Nino Lake : One of the mythical stages of the GR20 with the passage of the pozzine and Nino Lake. The itinerary is comfortable, it goes between the secular beeches on grassy lawns, before reaching the lake. You will then climb to join the crests, and enjoy a superb panorama on the Rotondo and Cintu mountains. The itinerary will lead you through the heart of the Valdu Niellu forest to the old ski resort of Vergio. Accommodation in hotels. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude : + 500m, - 680m / Distance : 12 km / Duration : 6 hrs
  • Day 7: The glacier valley of Golo : The path goes through the forest to reach the sheepfolds of Radule. Nestled in the heart of the Golo valley, surrounded by magnificent Lariccio pines, they are still the scene of transhumance. You may be able to see a herd of goats on the foothills of the tall mountains. You will go towards the refuge of Ciuttulu, the highest of Corsica at 1991 m, before tipping over in the valley of Melarie. Night in bivouac with double tent (no access to your bags for this night). Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude : + 820m, - 750m / Distance : 13 km / Duration : 6 hrs
  • Day 8: The Monte Cintu : This legendary hike in the heart of the Cintu mountain (2706 m) is a fantastic viewpoint on the summits of the island. Mythical stage of the trek, culminating at 2604 meters in altitude at the Pointe des Éboulis. This rough, alpine, mountainous and aerial itinerary offers magnificent panoramas in a very mineral setting. This very demanding stage requires physical and technical abilities as well as a good dose of motivation to surpass oneself. Accommodation in hotels. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude : + 1070m, -1150m / Distance : 10 Km / Duration : 9 hrs
  • Day 9: Haut Asco to Bonifatu : From Ascu-Stagnu you have to climb in the morning to reach Bocca Di Stagnu at the foot of the Muvrella. The proximity of the sea announces the end of the GR20. At the level of the small lake of Muvrella the sight on the bay of Calvi is superb. Without doubt one of the most beautiful passages of the GR20. Shortly before the Carrozzu refuge, the crossing of the Spasimata footbridge will be the occasion to experience some chills. This descent on Bonifatu overlooking the stream of Spasimata is very spectacular and quite trying. You will have a 30-minutes transfer to Calvi. Accommodation in a hostel (room or tent-lodge for 2 people). Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Altitude : + 650m, -1530m / Distance: 12 Km / Duration: 7 hrs
  • Day 10: Bonifatu to Calenzana : Last day on the GR20. You take the old GR20 which leads to the Santucci sheepfolds. A magnificent itinerary that offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Calvi and the villages of Balagne. You will reach Calenzana which ends your GR20. Transfer of 30 min. to reach Calvi. Accommodation in a hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Elevation gain : + 830m, -1130m / Distance : 13 Km / Approximate duration : 8 hrs
  • Day 11: Calvi in Montreal : Transfer to Calvi airport and fly to Montreal. Breakfast included

The Challenge Against Cancer program is a series of fundraising travel campaigns to benefit cancer research. The Challenge against cancer is a unique program that offers our participants the chance to show their support for cancer research while discovering the world and surpassing themselves through various sporting activities. This unique adventure has a special and specific goal: to motivate our participants to raise funds for the advancement of cancer research.

Learn more about the Challenge Against Cancer program