General

from South To North in 15 days. June 21 to July 9, 2019

Cost

70-100 euro for a couple, travelling with our own tent. eating most dinners in the refuge, and some of the breakfasts too..

Day 1

from Conca to RefugePaliri

8 hrs. 6:00-14:00

Day starts with a long ascent

great swimming spot in the river we crossed (with nice waterfalls)

Paliri is a very beautiful site! Very basic toilet,

Source and cold shower are far from the main site.

Day 2

6:30-18:00

Paliri to Refuge de Asinau

Another swim in the rive just before reaching Village de Bavella

In Bavella on the corner there are nice Paninis (Toast) , and comparatively a very large variety of food and goods. Even some fruits and vegetables!

We highly recommend the Alpine version (yellow mark) that apears right after Bavella.

Long descent (another swimming spot) and then long ascent to the refuge

Day 3

fromמ Refuge de Asinau to Bergeries de Bassetta
short day

starts with a 2 hrs ascent
descent is easier and again, swimming spot on the way.
Can eat or purchase food on te way in
Bergerie d'i Croci or Refuge de Matalza, which are close to each other and to Bassetta.

In Basseta , there are good services, toilet is modern and shower with hot water.

Day 4

from Bergeries de Bassetta to bocca di Laparo (No Water!!)

Bocca di Laparo refuge was not staffed. it is right under the path about 30 ninutes before you reach the pass and signs. We slept on the Pass.

First 1/3 of the way to Refuge de Usciolu is easy and right next to a river. Next 2/3 leading to Refuge de Usciolu are more challenging, moving between both sides of the ridge with beautiful views on both sides.
We had lunch in Usciolu (they even had a watermelon!)
After Usciolu , we continued to walk on the ridge, until we reached the forest and our sleeping point.

Day 5

from Bocca di Laparo to Bocca di Verdi

short day
breakfast in Refuge de Prati

We reached Bocca di Verdi so early , when there was no line to the showers or sinks...

Nice restaurant in Verdi!

Day 6

from Bocca di Verdi to Vizzavona

4:45-17:45

13 hrs

Lunch in Bergeries de Capanelle, a very steep ascent to Capanelle but a beautiful river with perfect swimming pools escort you.

From Capanelle, an easy walk, untill you reach a never endinf descent (2.5 hrs) to Vizzavona.

Le vizzavona Hotel is a must (make reservation!) , Room with Great Dinner and breakfast: 160 euros for a couple.

Day 7

from Vizzavona to Refuge de l'onda

8-16:45

8.5 hrs

A very long ascent (1200 meters!)
Beautifull pools right after the "Angels falls"

Impressive views.

Anothe steep ascent and then a descent to L'onda.

Dont miss the Lasagna in L'onda!!!

Day 8

מ Refuge de l'onda ל Refuge Petra Piana

6:45-14:00

7+ hrs
Ascent folowing a beautiful river in a shaded forest that turns into a steep and un shaded ascent towards the end.
In the refuge, there is no charging. Dinner is basic, but the staff is very nice and helpfull!
You can take a shower in the river that flows right next to the refuge.

Day 9

from Refuge Petra Piana to Refuge de Manganu

3 to 4 passes lead you to a beautiful green high valley, with round green lakes underneath , "lime green" stones

challenging from the second pass on.
Restonica Trail race signs, led us through an easier pass (with no chains)/
In Manganu some tents can be placed right next to the river! (where again, you can dip instead of standing in line to the shower..)
Dinner was good and big!
Dont forget to order 1/2 a liter of Roze wine...

Day 10

An easy day

from Refuge de Manganu to Bergerie du Radul (unstaffed)
Since the refuge was closed, we slept next the wooden bridge , where there is a beautifull pool with colorful stones.
The day starts with an ascent to a pass and then a long walk on the same altitude (So Rare on GR20!!).
A short ascent to Hotel Castel Di Vergio

Lunch and "shopping" at the hotel. after another 1 1/4 hrs with no ascents/descents(!!) till we reached Radul falls

Day 11

from Bergerie du Radul to Refuge Do Tighjettu

2 hours of ascent from Bergerie du Radul to Refuge di Ciottulu Di I Mori

Dont miss breakfast (Omlette and Cafe au Lait!) in Refuge di Ciottulu Di I Mori!

Hard and challenging descent from Mori.

Next stop is Auberge U Vallone

Very hospitable with great home made cakes!

from there Another hour of ascent to reach Refuge Do Tighjettu

Tighjettu is a very crowded refuge, we ate dinner on "2nd shift". But very hospitable!
Great Spaghetti!

Day 12

from Refuge Do Tighjettu to Ascu Stagnu
This day is known as "stage 4" coming from the North.
Started early at 5:45 with a 3-4 hrs ascent to the highest point on GR20 (2600 meters). Not easy but not as bad as we expected...
Views are again worth it...

Descent was much more difficult and lasted 4 more hrs, following a beautiful river spotted with last years snow left overs...

The hotel in Ascu Stagnu was full and a very strong Thunderstorm started as we reached it.
We ended up sleeping in the hotel's dormitory in a 4 person "box".
Modern toilet and hot water and even a washer and dryer that you can use when purchasing "tokens".
The food in the hotel was great, a rare breakfast Buffet!

The thunderstorm lasted from 14:30 to 17:00 and then the sun came out!

Day 13

from Ascu Stagnu to Refuge de Carozzu
The day starts with a steep ascent of 2 hrs+ (using your hands etc)
then you reach a pass and another pass,
a little lake
and a steep descent to a river with a suspension bridge.
The refuge is very close to the bridge.
Another thunderstorm in the same hours as the day before...

Day 14

from Refuge de Carozzu to Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu
Perhaps the most challenging day (or maybe we were tired already??)
7:00-16:00
Starts with a chalening ascent
a long walk on the ridge line
end wit a long and challenging descent...
No rivers...
The Refuge was burnt on May 2019 but is functioning.

Day 15 (last day)
7:00-13:30

from Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu to the end in Calenzana

First half is still challenging, reaching a pass and then another pass. (very nice views to Calvi).

after the send pass, an easy long and winding descent, all the way to

Calenzana.

Recovery

We highly recommend a beach village named ALGAJOLA north of CALVI,