Hiking the North GR20 Trail in Corsica

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Corsica, please refer to the Corsican Official Tourist website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • A professional, knowledgeable, medically-trained, wilderness guide
  • Transportation from Calvi to Calenzana
  • Accommodations in gîtes, tents, and a hotel during the trip
  • Luggage assistance — you will carry a day pack for a few days at a time and have access to your main bag on several evenings to restock
  • 5 dinners, 5 breakfasts, and 4 picnic lunches

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to and from Corsica
  • Transfers not included in this itinerary (including transfers due to bad weather or physical ailments)
  • Entrance fees to sites
  • Optional activities 
  • Drinks
  • Meals not included in the itinerary

GR20 is an advanced hike, meaning full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Although it is becoming more and more popular, it remains one of the most difficult treks in Europe. To overlook this could put inexperienced walkers in danger. Do not overestimate your skills, and prepare for the trip. The GR20 is for hikers in very good physical shape who already have the experience of high mountain trekking over several days. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

It is recommended to do aerobic exercises at least 3 times a week. It is good to get in some hill walks on rough, uneven terrain, to build up ankle strength. Train to walk downhill, get used to knowing where to put your feet. Aim to progress walking downhill at a reasonable pace — two walking poles will reduce the shock on your legs.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry items for a few days of hiking (around a 40L bag)
  • Duffle bag with all the remaining items and clothing (max. weight 15 kilos)
  • Trekking poles — optional (but recommended)
  • Headlamp
  • Compact sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Snacks and electrolytes
  • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  • Sandals or flip flops for beaches, river wading, or for wearing in the evening
  • Hiking socks
  • T-shirt and shorts (depending upon the likely weather)
  • Light trekking trousers (not jeans)
  • Spare clothes for layering
  • A warm sweater, polar or fleece
  • Puffy jacket or equivalent mid-layer
  • A good quality waterproof shell — GORE-TEX recommended
  • Waterproof pants
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Swimsuit
  • Sunhat
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Camp towel
  • A small Tupperware box (for stews or salads), a plastic mug, a spork
  • A waterproof plastic pouch for documents and identity papers
  • A small first-aid kit
  • Swiss army knife
  • Sunglasses
  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • The max guest-to-guide ratio for this tour is 12:1. It takes a minimum group of six participants for the tour to operate.
  • This tour is booked for a minimum of two people. Solo travelers should inquire about private tours.
  • The price decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

If your hiking party is larger than six people, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements. 

Min. age requirements:

• • Anyone over the age of 18 can join these day-hiking tours
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 12, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

If the reservation takes place more than 90 days before departure, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. For reservations less than 90 days before the departure, 100% of the total amount is paid upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

• • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus a 100 € ($110 USD) per person set-up fee cost. 
  • For cancellations twenty-nine (29) to sixteen (16) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the full price of the trip. 
  • For cancellations fifteen (15) to two (2) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the full price of the trip. 
  • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

Thanks to new low-cost airlines, Corsica is now accessible from several major cities in France in less than 1.5 hours. To be as close as possible to the departure of the GR20, we advise you to go to Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport.

For the North GR20 Hiking Adventure, you will meet your guide in the morning of your first day in Calvi for your transfer to Calenzana. The exact location will be determined in communication with your guide. From there, you’ll head straight to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the hiking ability of the group.