Trek the GR20 in Corsica

Get your first glimpse of Corsica, the rugged jewel nestled in the Mediterranean, as you descend towards Bastia Airport – or perhaps take in the view across the water if you've opted to arrive via ferry. Your host will meet you at the airport in the afternoon and transfer your group to Vizzavona – the official halfway point of the full GR20. The drive takes around two hours and gives you an immediate impression of how stunning Corsica is, with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the mountainous interior on the other. Ascending along winding roads to Vizzavona, check in to your traditional guesthouse accommodation nestled in the forest. Your guides will give you a run-through of the adventure ahead before you bunk down ready for the trek to kick off in the morning.

Wake up and soak up the excitement as trekkers fuel up on breakfast and coffee at the official midway point of the GR20 before heading off in their respective directions. You'll be tackling a variant of the first two stages of the northern section of the GR20 – very much the toughest half of the island's trekking route (which takes two weeks to complete in full, both the north and south sections continuously). Today's trek is a long and tough day, straight out of the gate. Kick things off with a steady ascent to the Brêche de Muratellu at 2100m, following the trail alongside the azure Cascade des Anglais and further up to Muratellu with stunning views of the Monte Rotondu. Trek along the ridge, via the summit of Pinzi Corbini. This is a short but challenging section which is steep and exposed in places – having an experienced guide on these parts of the GR20 is invaluable. If the guide thinks it is necessary, in bad weather for example, from Vizzavona there is an alternative lower valley option* that can be taken, via Tolla, to Petra Piana. A full day of trekking delivers you to the Petra Piana refuge where you can relax, grab a drink for sunset and settle in for a night under canvas by the refuge.

*On this day there is a second route to get to Tolla, going around instead of over Monte d'Oro, where you'll hike from Vizzavona along a trail to near Canaglia, a hamlet in the forest. From here, the path follows a mountain torrent to the Cascades sur le Manganelo, with enticing pools all the way up to a shepherd's cabin in a grassy clearing, the perfect rest stop at Tolla, where the trail reconnects with the main GR20 route. The trail then leaves the forest and continues upwards, emerging in a beautiful open valley in total contrast to the first part of the hike, before finally arriving at Petra Piana (19.5km, 8.5hrs, +1240m, -510m).

Today is easier going after a full-on start yesterday, though this is a high mountain stage with a few technical sections equipped with chains to navigate. Setting off from Petra Piana after breakfast, tackle a short uphill section up to the high ridge above the refuge. The trail weaves through a rocky, lunar landscape and continues along a mountain pass where the views become increasingly more spectacular with Corte, the island’s historic capital, in the distance. To the east there's an impressive view of the massif of Rotundu, and to the west the Mediterranean shimmers in the distance. From the peak above Lake Capitello, you'll meander downhill to Manganu refuge, situated on the edge of the Camputile Plateau. You'll be fully immersed in this legendary trek by this point, as the remote landscape shifts and reveals why Corsica is such a mystical and alluring island. Enjoy dinner and soak up the atmosphere inside the refuge with another day under your belt, before sleeping in tents here.

Your third day along the GR20 north involves a good chunk of distance to get through – 16km in total, but the elevation gain and loss is lighter today, kicking things off with a gentle uphill section through beech woods and across the green turf to the beautiful Lac de Nino. At 1743m this glacier lake is in a lovely, sheltered spot surrounded by spongy peat, with networks of streams and wells, an ideal grazing ground for ponies and other animals in the summer. The high mountain air here is fresh, tinged with the scent of alder. Enjoy a morning break and relax on the banks of the lake before eating into more of the distance ahead of you. Towards the end of today's section you'll drop down at the Col St Pierre to join a flat, horseshoe-shaped trail to reach Castel di Vergio, the island’s small ski station. You'll stay in dormitories at the refuge here after dinner and sundowners; now you are halfway through the trek.

Note: You'll have access to your additional luggage this evening so you can resupply your hiking pack.

Set off on a trail through the Valdu Niellu forest, a long but rolling section allowing you to make rapid progress. The trail follows the Golo River up the valley towards its source, with cascading waters flanked by pine trees creating natural pools. Midway up the valley your route crosses the river, a great place to take a break on the smooth sun-baked rocks and enjoy a revitalising swim in the fresh (but cold!) mountain water. The trail soon leaves the floor of the valley and heads up to the ridge line; from here there are clear views of the villages dotted on the west coast and the outline of distant islands in the Mediterranean. Trek through yet more incredible landscapes before pausing at the refuge at Ciuttolu di I Mori at 2000m, the highest refuge in Corsica situated between two imposing mountains (the Tafanatu and Paglia Orba). After a full day of trekking you'll eventually reach U Vallone refuge, your final stop for the day. Recharge and refuel here, you still have two big hiking days to get through.

Today is a tough, high altitude mountain route in the highest part of the GR20, flanked by Corsica's tallest peaks. Make your way uphill progressively to the foothills of Monte Cinto, the highest summit on the island at 2706m. The climb is steep, rocky underfoot and slow going, and there can still be snowpack here during June and July. After a couple of hours you'll arrive at Bocca Crucetta, a ridge that leads to the daunting Pointe des Eboulis at 2607m – the highest point on the GR20, the view is absolutely spectacular. From here, the path plunges precipitously down to the small lake on the other side, so settle in for a steady descent downhill with scree and rocky terrain finally giving way to a river and woods as you approach the old ski station of Haut-Asco. Settle into the refuge here and grab a beer or soft drink to toast a cracker of a day on the highest section of Europe's toughest trek, before bunking down in the dormitory at the refuge. Multi-day trekking simply doesn't get better than this!

Note: You'll have access to your additional luggage this evening so you can resupply your hiking pack.

One last memorable stage of the GR20 awaits today: the final stretch of the northern half to reach the finish line. From Ascu-Stagnu you'll climb up to reach Bocca di Stagnu at the foot of Muvrella at 2150m. The proximity of the sea getting ever closer beckons in the final stages of GR20. At Muvrella Lake, the view over the Bay of Calvi is superb – this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stretches of the GR20. Lap up the views and the rising feeling of accomplishment, crossing the Spasimata footbridge and bidding farewell to the GR20 shortly before the Carozzu refuge. You have one last spectacular and demanding descent to Bonifatu along the Mare e Monti trail as your trek reaches its conclusion. Your host will transfer you on to Calvi, where your efforts are rewarded with a comfy hotel and all the creature comforts that you've left behind over the past week in the wild. Head out for dinner at a local restaurant tonight to toast the successful completion of this iconic trek.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning on this picturesque part of the Corsican coast. Hop in the van for the two-hour ride back to Bastia Airport as your host drops you off at the airport around midday in time for any flights departing from 14:00 onwards. If you're opting to stay on longer in Corsica, the stretch of coast around Calvi has some stunning coastal spots to explore if you wish to bid farewell to your host and fellow adventurers there, or you can take the ride back to Bastia and continue your travels, perhaps moving on to the wild coastal areas north in the Cap Corse.