GR20 Trek - Southern section

GR20 Trek - Southern section


From £1,150
Altitude 2,134m Grade: T3/Backpacking

Staying high on the GR20 on our self-guided, light backpacking on the 'easier' half of Europe’s toughest walk.

GR20 Southern Section

If you only have week to spare and want to test yourself out on Corsica's classic haute route, walking the GR20 southern section is an ideal choice. The route is extremely well marked, easy to follow and you will be supplied with detailed notes and maps as well. You will be carrying all your personal belongings (clothes and a light sleeping bag), but with careful packing, modern equipment and following advice in our dossier your pack should not exceed 10kg. The advantage of backpacking this section is that you stay on the route, avoiding long detours off the route to lower villages.

The GR20 southern section trip starts in Ajaccio, where you make your way to the port - 'Gare Maritime' before a private transfer takes you up to the Col de Bavella from where you will start the walk. Accommodation is a mix of tents, refuges, gites and private bergeries, where you will be provided with all meals. Despite being the easier of the two sections, there are still some delightfully ‘interesting’ ridge sections where easy scrambling is involved. The walk finishes at the Col de Vizzavona from where you travel back to Ajaccio for your final night in Corsica.

Please note, this trip is only available for two or more people booking together.

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Dates & Prices

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All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight
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2nd Jun 2024 - 9th Jun 2024 Spaces8 £1,150£1,550 Book Now
7th Jul 2024 - 14th Jul 2024 Spaces8 £1,150£1,550 Book Now

* A deposit of £200 will be required at checkout.

What's Included

 

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package)
  • Accommodation - 7 nights in a mixture of Gites, Refuges, Camps and Hotels
  • Meals - 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 evening meals
  • Park fees as appropriate
  • Some baggage transfers
  • All camping equipment (excl. personal kit)
  • Route notes and maps (supplied in Corsica)
  • Adventure Peaks logoed top.
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff
  • Single timed transfer to Bavella on Day 1
  • 15% discount off the RRP on clothing and equipment purchased at the Adventure Peaks shop

 

What's Excluded

 

  • Travel to and from UK airport
  • Bus / taxi from Ajaccio airport to meeting point on Day 1.
  • Train or bus Vizzavona to Ajaccio hotel
  • Airport transfer on departure
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals if not indicated in 'inclusions'
  • Visas (if required)

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Ajaccio and take a taxi or bus (No 8) to the 'Gare Maritime' in time for the 2pm rendezvous with our local agents. If you arrive early your bags can be left at the nearby 'Brasserie du Port' (for a small charge) while you explore the town and the Sunday market. At the rendezvous you will be given your personal journey plan, maps, a packed lunch for tomorrow and meet up with any other trekkers who may be following the same or a similar schedule. A private transfer is arranged to take you up to the Col de Bavalla, which is a 3 hour scenic drive. After checking in to your accommodation, time to pack the bags for tomorrow and explore the area before dinner.

Day 2 There are two possibilities today - the ‘Alpine Variant’ or the normal route through the forest. The variant (recommended in good weather) starts with a stiff ascent to a col after which some tricky ground and a short chained section (descent) brings you out onto a superb ridge with great views for of the way ahead. You descend into the Asinau valley and follow this upstream to the refuge or bergerie for the night. 5 hours walking.

Day 3 An imposing granite covered slope looms above the refuge up to the summit of Monte Alcudina (2314m). The trail is very well marked as it weaves it way up, across and around the granite outcrops to cross the ridge 30 minutes below the summit. A detour to the summit along the 'old' GR20 is recommended. From the ridge an easy, delightful descent takes you along broad spurs and down to the Bergeries de Crocce. 4 hours walking.

Access to luggage tonight.

Day 4 Easy walking along wide trails and some dirt roads take you past some other hostelries and an ancient chapel across the fertile, well grazed plateau. There is a delightful section alongside  a shaded river with some appealing places to stop for a dip. A well-graded ascent through ancient oak leads to the Col de l'Agnone. 20 minutes beyond the col is a spring, a clearing and a lovely lunch spot. After lunch you climb on up to gain the castellated ridge above (the Arete de Monda), along which the route weaves an intricate line through the granite spine with a few challenging sections to keep you alert. Finally you arrive atthe refuge, nestling in a small valley just under the ridge and offering superb views out to the coast. 5 hours walking.

Day 5 Climb back up to the ridge again, and follow it (easier that yesterday) with some great views before a long, knee-jarring descent takes you down and down to the Col de Laparo for well-earned rest and a re-fill with water. This can be a busy place as one of the coast to coast routes crosses the same col. You continue up along the ridge crossing the Punta de Capella before a sweeping descent to the Refuge de Prati, with its gushing spring and spacious grassy campsite. Take a break here before tackling the final section of this long day which involves a descent from the Col d'Oro through stunning forest to the delights of the Auberge at the Col de Verdi. Hot showers, great food and comfy beds! 7 hours walking.

Access to luggage tonight.

Day 6 An easier day - with a tougher alternative! The main GR contours around the slopes through a forest of lariccio pines, undulating as it goes. There is a good climb towards the end of the day to the Bergeries de Traghjete before the final descent to the bizarre ski-station accommodation at Campanelle.

For those confident in navigation there is a partially marked route over Monte Renosu (2352m) which passes the delightful green pastures of I Pozzi before ascending steep and at times loose ground to Monte Renosu. The descent takes you past the corrie lake Lac du Bastini - a great place for a dip in its cold waters. 5 hours walking (+2 hours if taking the high route).

Access to luggage tonight.

Day 7 The last stage of the GR20 southern section makes for a leisurely day. You leave Capanelle, taking a path that is more or less level and along easy terrain. You pass through some idyllic spots, passing remote traditional stone cabins and continue to BoccaPalmente (1640m), from where on a clear day the views are exceptional.  You drop down into a thick forest of pine and beech trees for a relaxing descent: the trail looping back and forth down to Vizzavona (920m), the midway point of the GR20, and the end of your walk. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Here from here you will need to collect you main luggage and take a train or bus back to Ajaccio to the hotel that has been reserved for you.

Day 8 Take a taxi of the bus to the airport to connect with your flight home.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/adventurepeaks/

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

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