Important.

Unfortunately, since 2010, it has become obligatory to make a reservation for use of the huts. In this respect the GR20 has become a victim of its own success.

Food and sleep.

Mountain huts (Refuges) along the GR20 offer basic accommodation and provisions. Sleeping-places vary from 20-50 (see stages). They mostly have one dormitory (dortoire) with bunk beds and mattresses. Camping is allowed close to the huts but elsewhere is forbidden. Taking a tent is a good idea as there are often insufficient beds in the smaller huts or during busier periods.

The refuge huts are managed by the Parc naturel régional de Corse (PNRC). Prices in 2009 were € 10,00 for a bed, and € 5,00 per person for camping. Along the way, there are some (better) alternatives to help you get a good night’s rest (see stages).

The huts are the only places offering provisions on the GR20. At times, you’ll have the option of going down into one of the villages in the valley, but in doing so you need to allow an extra day on your programme.

All of the above only applies to the months of June to September. The PNRC-refuge huts remain open throughout the year but don’t offer food, supplies, water, heating nor lighting from November until May.

The weather

GR20 equals mountains, equals unpredictable circumstances. Despite the heat during the summer, the nights can still be cold. Anticipate this by bringing adequate clothing and always be prepared.

Our experiences: 12th September, our 10th stage. The previous stages : excellent weather. Despite leaving Vizzavona with 25°, we arrived soaked through at Bergeries de Capannelle. The next day : rain, wind, fog and even snow. 2/3 of the hikers had had enough of it. We did leave, but there were no vacancies in the “Col de Verde”-hut. We continued up to Refuge de Prati where there was again no room left for us. All who had arrived the previous day had been forbidden to leave. It was compulsory to sleep inside. We did leave the next day during a fierce thunder storm to get to the Refuge d’Usciolu, where we arrived with temperatures around 30°!
Tip : the hut keepers of the PNRC have a blogwhere you can follow the weather conditions at each location.

Alternatives

The best places to start and end are of course Calenzana, Vizzavona and Conca. But there are some other options:

• Bonifatu – Refuge de Carozzu. There is a road from Calenzana to the Maison Forestiere de Bonifatto and a little further to the Cirque de Bonifatu. From here, there’s an alternative path to the refuge huts of Piobbu and Carozzu.See stage 1.
• Asco Stagnu (Haut-Asco), end of the 3rd stage, can be reached by car via the D147 from Ponte Leccia. Haut-Asco is also a popular ski-resort and the starting point for the ascension of the Monte Cinto, Corsica’s highest mountain summit. Hitch-hiking is an option but there’s also a bus connection between Ponte Leccia and Asco.
• Col de Verghio is a mountain pass on the D84 from Corte to Porto. See stage 5 for additional information. During the summer season, there is also a bus connection between Corte ten Porto via the Col de Verghio.
• The hiking trail Mare e Mare nord passes through the Gorges du Tavignano, starts in Corte and goes via the refuge de la Saga to the Lac de Nino (6th etappe).
• Another trail goes via Corte through the Gorges de la Restonica and reaches the GR20 near Lac de Melo (7th stage). During the summer, there’s a bus from Corte to the Bergeries de la Grutelle. This takes about one hour.
• The Refuge de Manganu (the end of stage 6) can be reached on foot via Lac de Creno from the villages of Soccia and Orto.
• Bergerie de Capannelle (10th stage), is at the end of a road from Ghisoni. As there’s not much traffic, don’t count to much on getting a lift.
• Col de Verde (stage 11) is on the D69 from Ghisoni to Cozzano, but here there is also little traffic.
• The D268 from Ajaccio to the east coast, passes the GR20 on the Col de Bavella (stage 14).