Classic hut-to-hut routes · France

GR20

The length of Corsica along its granite spine, refuge to refuge for two weeks, with a reputation as the toughest waymarked trail in Europe.

In short

The GR20 is a trek of about 180 km along the mountain spine of Corsica, from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south, taking 15–16 walking days, and it is known as the toughest waymarked trail in Europe. A night in a park refuge costs 20 euros in 2026, booking is compulsory even for a tent, and the staffed season runs from 16 May to 4 October. Our table holds 28 refuges, huts and shelters along its stages.

Also written as: GR 20 · Fra li monti

Distance
~180 km
Days
15–16
Total ascent
not in our source
High point
Pointe des Éboulis, 2,607 m
Season
June to September

The GR20 runs the length of Corsica from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south, along the island's mountain spine. The northern half is the hard one: rock slabs, chains, and long rough descents. The southern half is gentler, greener and faster, with the sea in view.

Its refuges are small, basic and state-run, with tent pitches around them, and in summer the bunks sell out months in advance on the national park's booking site. Many walkers carry a tent for that reason. Water and heat are the daily problems, not altitude.

Who it suits
Level: ExperiencedFit, experienced walkers who like rock underfoot and can carry a heavier pack; not a first hut route.
The nights
Park refuges with dormitories and tent pitches, a few bergeries selling food, and hotels only at Vizzavona and the ends.

Stage points and the shelters near them

Published path grades around the stage points run T1 to T6, from 11 of 15 stages. That describes the terrain there, not the exact line of the route.

28 shelters within 4 km of the stage points, from the shelter table. Distances are from the stage point, not walking distances.

  1. 01Calenzana

  2. 02Refuge d'Ortu di u Piobbu

  3. 03Refuge de Carrozzu

  4. 04Haut Asco

  5. 05Refuge de Tighjettu

  6. 06Castel di Vergio

  7. 07Refuge de Manganu

  8. 08Refuge de Petra Piana

  9. 09Refuge de l'Onda

  10. 10Vizzavona

  11. 11Refuge de Prati

  12. 12Refuge d'Usciolu

  13. 13Refuge d'Asinau

  14. 14Refuge de Paliri

  15. 15Conca

    No shelter in our table within 4 km of Conca; this stage usually ends in a village or a private inn.

When and how to book

All refuges and bivouac areas of the Corsica regional park (PNRC) are booked on one site, pnr-resa.corsica, online only and by card only. For the 2026 season bookings opened on 20 January 2026. Booking is compulsory for every kind of night, a tent included, and each refuge has a nightly quota.

Cancelling up to two months before the trek refunds everything, and after that nothing, except when the prefecture closes the route. You can change a date or a refuge up to two days before the stage, and the bed is held until 19:00.

Ortu di u Piobbu, Carrozzu and Usciolu fill first, and the busiest periods are the first weeks of June and of September.

What it costs

2026 prices per person per night: a refuge bunk 20 euros (17 in 2025), your own tent in a marked bivouac area 12 euros, and a rented tent 27 euros single or 39 double. For all 16 stages that is roughly 320 euros on beds alone, or 192 with your own tent.

Meals cannot be booked on the site: you pay cash at the refuge. Wild camping is strictly banned along the route, and tents go only in the marked areas.

Getting there from Tel Aviv

We found no direct flights from Tel Aviv to Corsica in 2026. Walkers connect through Paris, Nice or Marseille to Calvi (near Calenzana, the start), Bastia or Ajaccio, or take the ferry from Nice or Marseille.

After the disruption of 2026, direct routes from Tel Aviv open and close often, so check the current schedule before fixing dates, and book the huts before the flight.

Plan GR20 around my datesOpens the planner with this route's area and length filled in.

Common questions

Every answer below is counted from the 28 shelters our table holds along this route. Where a shelter does not state something, it is counted as not stated rather than assumed.

How long is GR20, and how many days does it take?
About 180 km, usually walked in 15–16 days. The highest point on the route is Pointe des Éboulis, at 2,607 m.
When can you walk it?
The season is June to September. Of the 28 shelters along the way, 2 publish when a warden is present, and the most common season among them is May to October, stated by 2 of them.
Where do you sleep?
In 28 shelters within 4 km of the stage points, of which 0 are run by an Alpine Club. 0 of them can be booked online through the clubs' own system; the rest take a phone call, and every number we hold is on the shelter's own page.
Do you need to book ahead?
0 of the 28 shelters state that a reservation is required and 0 that it is recommended. The other 28 do not say either way, which is not the same as saying no.
What if you arrive out of season?
2 of the 28 shelters state that a winter room is left open. That is a room, not a service: no warden, no meals, and you carry what you need.
What is the highest place you sleep?
The highest shelter we hold on this route is Abri Helbronner, at 2,617 m.
How much does the GR20 cost?
For nights alone, in 2026: 20 euros a night in a refuge or 12 euros in your own tent, so roughly 320 euros for the whole route in beds or 192 in a tent. Meals are paid separately in cash at the refuges.
When do GR20 bookings open?
In January: for the 2026 season the park's site opened on 20 January 2026. The 2027 date has not been published yet, and guides usually say mid-January.
Can you camp on the GR20?
Yes, but only in the marked bivouac areas by the refuges and only with a booking: 12 euros for your own tent or 27–39 euros for a rented one. Camping outside those areas is banned.

Guides for planning it

Other classic routes

Distance, days, ascent, high point and season are approximate and taken from Wikipedia, GR 20. Shelters from refuges.info (©Les contributeurs de Refuges.info, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR) and OpenStreetMap (ODbL).

Facts last checked: 25 October 2026

Sources