CORSICA GR 20 by Versante Sud srl

LUDOVICO BIANCIARDI

CORSICA GR 20

16 stages, 16 variants and 16 ring routes

EDIZIONI VERSANTE SUD | COLLANA LUOGHI VERTICALI | TREKKING

First edition April 2022 ISBN 978 88 55470 759 Copyright © 2022 VERSANTE SUD – Milano, via Rosso di San Secondo, 1. Ph. +39 02 7490163 www.versantesud.it All translation, reproduction, adaptation and electronic registration, either totally or partially, by any methods, are rights reserved for all countries.

Cover image

Climbing up to Bocca Muratello. © Ludovico Bianciardi

Text

Ludovico Bianciardi

Photos

Ludovico Bianciardi

English translation

Silvia Rialdi

Maps

Tommaso Bacciocchi. © Mapbox, © Open Street Map

Symbols

Tommaso Bacciocchi

Layout

Francesca Sarpi

Printing

Press Grafica s.r.l. – Gravellona Toce (VB), Italy

Note

Trekking is a potentially dangerous sport in which participation is entirely at your own risk. All the information in this guide has been updated based upon information at the time of publication, however it is vital to evaluate every situation yourself before placing yourself in a life threatening situation or to seek the advice of experienced and qualified individuals.

LUDOVICO BIANCIARDI

CORSICA GR 20 16 stages 16 variants 16 ring routes

EDIZIONI VERSANTE SUD

INDEX Reading of the itineraries and legend . . . . . 6 Classification of itineraries based on their difficulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Introductory Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 A short account on the geology of Corsica . 16 Biodiversity and the network of Natura 2000 26 The flora of Corsica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 The fauna of Corsica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Wild pasture and local products . . . . . . . . . 38 Corsica: anthropological notes . . . . . . . . . . 40

STAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Calenzana – Ortu di u Piobbu . . . . . . . 44 Ortu di u Piobbu – Carrozzu . . . . . . . . . 50 Carrozzu – Haut Asco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Haut Asco - Tighiettu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Tighiettu – Ciottulu di i Mori . . . . . . . 104 Ciottulu di i Mori - Manganu . . . . . . . 110 Manganu – Petra Piana . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Petra Piana – L’Onda . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 L’Onda – Vizzavona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Vizzavona - Capanelle . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Capanelle - Prati . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Prati - Usciolu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Usciolu – Matalza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Matalza - Asinau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Asinau – Paliri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Paliri – Conca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

VARIANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

2.1 3.1 4.1 4.2 4.3 6.1 7.1 8.1

Cirque de Bonifatu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 A Muvrella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Cirque de la Solitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Monte Cinto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Lac du Cinto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu . . . . . 118 Lac de Goria, Capitello and Melo . . . . 130 Monte Rotondo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

8.2 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.1 Monte D’Oro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.2 Col de Vizzavona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1 Punta dell’Oriente . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.1 Monte Renoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.1 Monte Alcudina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.1 Aiguilles de Bavella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.1 Punta Tafunata di i Paliri . . . . . . . . . .

150 166 174 186 200 222 242 256

CIRCUITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

A Muvrella Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Lac de Nino Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Circuit . 284 Col de Vizzavona Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Monte D’Oro Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 Cozzano - Zicavo Circuits . . . . . . . . . . 306 Calasima Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Monte Rotondo Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 Vizzavona Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 Monte Renoso Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Monte Alcudina Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 Bavella Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 Bonifatu Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358 Monte Cinto Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 Orto Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376 Canaglia Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384

SECTION FOR HIKERS

Hiking and body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Training and physical preparation for hikers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Bioenergetics and diet in hiking . . . . . . . . 228 Weather conditions and physical performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Body changes caused by physical activity . 316 Clothing, footwear and rucksack . . . . . . . 366

HIKES-TRAVELS-ADVENTURE environmental guide services

43PARALLELO collaborated in the creation of this guidebook 43parallelosiena.com - info@43parallelosiena.com - 333 3257716 43parallelosiena

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READING OF THE ITINERARIES AND LEGEND All itineraries have been walked along and checked at the time of the guidebook’s publication, however, the information and figures provided are subject to change due to unpredictable external factors, which might take place with time and changing seasons. Extreme weather, phenomena of rock instability or human intervention can dramatically modify the conditions and characteristics of the route. The information related to each itinerary are organized as follows: Horizontal opening band: progressive number, title of itinerary. Vertical left band: title of the itinerary, progressive number. Left hand vertical column: contains fundamental technical information to quickly understand the itinerary. Right hand vertical column: contains some technical notes, the detailed description of the itinerary and the elevation profile. Page in front: plan with all locations and waypoints crossed.

With figures and information organized this way, you will be able to better understand the characteristics of the itinerary and to check if it suites to your expectations, experience, physical effort and needed time to complete it. I encourage you to always verify that the itinerary that you are about to tackle is in line with your physical and technical preparation, to avoid finding yourself in difficult situations or environment. NAME OF THE ITINERARY The names of the 16 stages of the GR20 have been given indicating the starting and arrival location (or mountain hut). Generally, the names of variants and circuits indicate the starting place or the most interesting sites crossed by the itinerary.

LEFT HAND VERTICAL COLUMN Difficulty It refers to the grade of difficulty according to the table on page 10. Physical effort This is a subjective value, which I tried to make as homogenous as possible, taking into account distance, vertical height gain and technical difficulty of each itinerary. It is expressed over four values, from easy, one star, to particularly difficult, where four stars indicate the need to be very well trained in order to cover the whole itinerary within the given time. Beauty

It is probably the most difficult value to be set for an itinerary; of course, the evaluation is subjective and rewards the landscape and the environment variety met along the way. All of the mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes of the island deserve four stars, but a classification was necessary; the expressed judgment it is often the result of an overall assessment.

Signposts You will find the type of signposts and their frequency along the path. Altitude at start and arrival It is the altitude expressed in metres a.s.l., from which the itinerary starts and where it ends. Maximum altitude It shows the altitude of the highest point reached by the itinerary; it is an important figure to know due to the characteristics of the territory. Pay attention to its value and always check the weather

conditions at the moment of starting the itinerary; Corsica, especially inland, is often subject to sudden afternoon storms.

Water sources Points where it is possible to find drinking water are noted.

Positive/negative vertical height gain To establish the positive and negative vertical height gain, all the uphill and downhill sections of each itinerary have been taken into consideration. These figures allow to evaluate the necessary physical effort and we should never underestimate itineraries with a significant negative vertical height gain, even if they present a little positive vertical height gain.

Escape routes This information can be very useful while hiking to know where to interrupt the trek safely to reach a road or a safe place.

Distance You will find here the itinerary’s total kilometres, from the start to the end; concerning stages and circuits, the length is comprehensive, while concerning variants that can be covered to both directions, the distance, unless otherwise specified (round trips), only refers to the outward path. Hiking time This feature has been obtained taking into consideration the itinerary’s length and vertical height gain, proceeding with a regular step. As for distance, the value is comprehensive, while for itineraries with different hiking times between the outward and the return trip, both times are indicated. Phone signal This is an average feature showing the possibility to find phone signal. This feature is the one I have recorded during the writing of this guidebook; it might change over time, therefore this figure refers to the book’s publishing date.

Mountain huts or bivouacs You will find the information about mountain huts and bivouacs which are present along the itineraries. Refuges are private or managed by the Parc naturel regional de Corse. It is always recommended to inform yourself on the availability, especially if you need to stay overnight at the mountain huts managed by the park, I suggest you to reserve in advance through the website www.pnr-resa. corsica. In this way you will avoid unpleasant surprises, especially in case you need a bed inside the mountain hut. Best time to go The diagram which has been chosen, quickly evaluates the best period of the year to tackle an itinerary. Depending on winter rainfall, the majority of the path, especially in the northern part of the trek, remains covered with snow or ice until the beginning of summer. Along very shaded and exposed northern sections it is possible to find snowfields also at the end of summer. The green colour indicates the best period, with yellow it is necessary to pay attention to terrain conditions, while I discourage you to tackle the itinerary during month marked with red, as it can be very dangerous.

Technical introduction

Environmental codes The codes indicate the areas of the Natura 2000 network. For each code you can refer to the related paragraph at page 26, where the characteristics of each area are explained. QR-code In a few pages you will find a QR-Code with indications for its use.

RIGHT HAND VERTICAL COLOUMN Main text General characteristics of the itinerary. Short description and introductory note explaining the general characteristics of the itinerary. Description Complete report of the itinerary. Elevation profile Quickly shows the positive and negative gradients which the itinerary offers. PAGE IN FRONT Planimetry Allows to visualize the total length of the itinerary indicating the main reference points for orienteering, the waypoints you will find in the description and the main areas touched by the itinerary. All of the waypoints can be found in the GPX files, which can be downloaded after having registered your guidebook with the unique code.

Technical introduction

CLASSIFICATION OF ITINERARIES BASED ON THEIR DIFFICULTY

T = Tourist Itineraries which run along lanes, mule tracks or easy paths, with evident routes and do not offer uncertainty or orienteering problems. They are usually carried out below 2000 metres and usually consist of access paths to alpine pastures or mountain huts. They require some knowledge of mountain environments and fitness for walking.

E = Excursionist Itineraries which almost always run along paths, or else along tracks on varied terrain (pasture land, debris, screes), usually with sign posts; can be short, flat sections or slightly inclined with residue snow, and in case of falling, the sliding down can be stopped within a short distance and is without dangers. They often develop along open terrain, without paths but not problematic, always with adequate sign posting. They may develop along steep slopes; the exposed sections are generally protected (barriers) or can be carried out in safety (cables). They may have single passages on rock, not exposed, or short sections which are not tiring nor difficult thanks to equipment (ladders, pegs, cables) which do not require specific gear (harness, carabiners, etc). They require a sense of orienteering, as well as a certain amount of experience and knowledge of mountainous terrain, fitness in walking, as well as adequate shoe wear and gear.

EE = for expert excursionists Itineraries which are usually sign posted but that require ability to move along particular terrain. Paths or tracks on arduous and treacherous terrain (steep slopes and/or slippery on grass, or mixed with rocks and grass, or rock and debris). Varied terrain at relatively high altitudes (scree, short and not steep snow fields, open slopes with no points of reference, etc). Rocky sections, with slight technical difficulties (equipped routes, vie ferrate, the least difficult). Excluding itineraries along glaciers, even if flat and/or with no crevasses on appearance (because crossing them would require the use of a rope and ice axe and knowledge of belaying manoeuvres). You will need: experience in the mountains in general and good knowledge of alpine environments; a steady step and must not suffer from vertigo; equipment, gear and adequate physical preparation.

EEA

EEA = for expert excursionists with gear Equipped routes or vie ferrate, the use of self-belay devices is necessary (harness, energy absorber, carabiners, Kevlar threads) and personal protection gear (helmet, gloves).

CAUTION: any mountaineering difficulty must be considered superior to excursion difficulties. F = Easy, does not present any specific difficulties It is the easiest climbing grade, you have to know how to choose foot holds and often it is necessary to use hands to keep your balance; you can find moves of I and II grade and the progression could be not so easy for anyone suffering from vertigo.

PD = Not very difficult, presents a few mountaineering difficulties on rock The single moves on rock can reach up to III grade and often mountain progression is necessary. You have to move one limb at a time and the use of hands is continuous on good holds.

Introductory Note These initial pages have been thought to help the reader better understand this guidebook and to give some suggestions and recommendations to tackle the proposed itineraries in the best possible way. The GR20 is considered a basic long distance trek. The term “basic” refers to an itinerary that is in its most natural state concerning different aspects, equipped and made safer with chains only in some sections, even if over the last few years it has become more and more suitable to everybody’s needs. Mountain huts and Bergerie also embrace this philosophy, providing hikers with what is strictly necessary for a meal, some basic food items and a place inside the mountain hut or in the tent area. We should not be surprised if we receive the same treatment also in the most touristic locations, far away from the GR20; we can affirm that Corsica, especially inland, is a basic place in many ways. In addition, we should consider the difficulties due to the mountain environment, often exceeding 2000m of altitude, but always close to the sea. There are often sudden and unexpected weather changes, with storms and thickening clouds in the afternoon, quickly rising from the coast and reaching us almost every day. For this reason, it is highly recommended to start early in the morning in order to reach the destination by early afternoon, thus hiking during the coolest hours of the day, especially in summer. Another aspect which should not be underestimated is the terrain on which we are walking. It often winds through stones and granite boulders that make the hike more difficult, requiring constant attention and balance. Instead, when vegetation prevails, we walk through wonderful forests and, in worst cases, we are surrounded by alders or low and prickly junipers. Therefore, shoes are a fundamental element to cope with the hike to the fullest, always carrying extra shoes and patches for blisters. Concerning water, we should not worry too much. The Corsican territory is rich in water and we will find several water sources and springs along the way. Even when they are not available, there are many water streams or lakes along the paths. Of course they do not provide drinking water, also due to animals grazing everywhere in the island, therefore it is very useful to have a water purifier. This allows us to carry only a small water supply, reducing the weight of our rucksack.

After having given these brief introductory remarks, we can present the book more in detail: - Almost all the proposed itineraries are classified as EE, since difficulties are constantly present, taking into account either distance, vertical height gain or terrain. These three aspects (distance, vertical height gain and terrain) must always be assessed carefully. Stages that seem short on paper may easily turn into long and demanding hikes, with exposed sections and a considerable vertical height gain. For unexperienced hikers, each day may become endless, forcing them to give up the trek after a few days. Itineraries with chain and cable-equipped sections are classified as EE+. They do not require mountaineering equipment, and chains and cables are often placed in sections where their use is not absolutely necessary, although they certainly ensure a higher sense of safety to those who are less sure-footed, or if the terrain is wet.

- The few itineraries classified as F and PD (none of them is included in the GR20 trek) do not require mountaineering equipment either. Generally, these itineraries are not marked with coloured dots but with stone cairns and tracks are not always well evident. In this guidebook, we chose not to describe these specific sections too much in detail (GPX tracks are always available anyway). Our choice depends on the fact that we believe that hikers who are enough experienced to find and assess the difficult sections, also have the skills and confidence to face them. - Inside the text, hiking times are always presented in a progressive way and they are not added together. The total hiking time is the one indicated in the legend. Therefore, each fraction of time indicated inside the text must be considered only taking into account the previous reference of time.

Moreover, I would like to thank those who contributed to the realization of this guidebook. The idea arose in the spring of 2020 and took shape thanks to the Editor’s trust, especially Roberto Capucciati, who showed interest and believed in this project from the beginning. To my dad, Guido Bianciardi, and to its 43 Parallelo Siena, that contributed to every aspect, especially during the drafting of the itineraries’ descriptions, and for its support and company during field work. To my cousin Virginia Ciani and to Dominik Martini who, even without knowing the project in detail, gave their availability to accompany me to the island, giving their support in covering the itineraries. To those who provided their knowledge and their time for the drafting of the introductory texts, so thanks to my mum, Prof. Letizia Marsili and to Prof. Francesco Ferretti, to Dr. Claudia Angiolini and Giacomo Calvia, to Dr. Rosanna Zari and to Prof. Pier Giorgio Solinas. To Prof. Francesco Coscia and Prof. Paola Virginia Gigliotti for the fact sheets inside the book. A special mention goes to the University of Sassari represented by Prof. Vincenzo Pascucci, who took an interest in the project from the beginning, actively contributing in many ways and providing his knowledge in the field of geology. To the graphic designer Francesca Sarpi, with whom I have positively and constantly collaborated, helping each other. To Silvia Rialdi for the English translation, her availability and suggestions to give uniformity to the text. Finally to my partner, Margherita Casini, for her patience and suggestions since the very beginning, especially in summer months during field work, and for her precious work concerning photos, thanks to her greater experience in this field she helped me choose the best pics.

Introduction GUIDO BIANCIARDI Teacher of Physical Education, Nature Guide, FASI Instructor, Subject expert of “Preservation of Nature” and “Techniques of environmental monitoring” at the University of Siena.

When in clear winter days you climb up to the Monte Capanne of the Elba island or you walk along the ridges of the Uccellina Mountains, you can scarcely believe to what you see to the West. And those who are less familiar with hiking and mountains, can barely work it out. A neat expanse of snowy peaks stretches in the distance, a vision which has little in common with the warm sea dividing us from those mountains, an alpine-like surge confusing the observer. Then, wonder replaces surprise, scepticism gives way to amazement and Corsica conquers us, forever. A true, severe alpine mountain range in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, the mountain tops of which can be reached from wonderful beaches and jagged cliffs crowded with sea tourists, up along rivers and streams frequented by unstoppable canyoners, and scary rock faces visited by climbers. A paradise for hikers, who perhaps experience a quieter and more reassuring dimension than that of lovers of the extreme, but surely the most complete one, as they can grasp all the contrasts of this rough paradise.

The GR20 tells us about the Île de beauté as no other experience can. Besides encounters, which are probably the most precious gift that we bring back home after many days of walk, what strikes us the most is the wilderness of the itinerary and the environment. The devastating consequences of modernity cannot be found here, and it is also difficult to find traces of the heavy Roman work, that has deforested everywhere else in Europe, as well as traces of the underestimated works of the Neolithic period. We are in front of a landscape that has maintained its original natural state, an incredible rarity in our beautiful sea. And even where human intervention can be seen, it has adapted to the morphology of the territory and to previous interventions. Absence of intensive farming, roads following ancient paths, extremely limited coppicing. Even the constant presence of grazing animals reveals a restricted human intervention, since animals are almost in a natural state, shepherd being confident of the mountaineering skills of their goats, the sense of orientation of their cows and the ability to survive of their pigs.

Also fires, that have burned vast areas of the island during the 90s, can now be considered as a memory whose wounds are imperceptible almost everywhere. Fortunately, this untamed character can also be found in the management of the Grande Randonnée, along which, for example, mountain huts and bivouacs shelter you without spoiling you. Over the last few years, though, red and white signs have increased excessively. However, they are not so unpopular when they reduce errors that might be a great frustration at the end of strenuous hike. This is certainly due to the increasing number of randonneurs, travellers coming from all over the world, whose orientation skills and ability to cope with such a demanding trek aren’t sometimes equal to their enthusiasm. With this work we hope to help them and to provide a valuable support and company also to the more experienced explorers.

A short account on the geology of Corsica VINCENZO PASCUCCI Professor of Geology at the University of Sassari, he teaches Sedimentology, Geology and Preservation of Coasts. His field of research are the climatic variations of the last 125,000 years.

The geology of Corsica is very complex and this complexity is due to the numerous geological phases that concerned it. Its evolution is connected to that of Sardinia, together they form the Sardinian-Corsican Massif: a piece of Europe in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. This block separated from the European Continent between the Oligocene and the Miocene (37-18 Ma), rotating by at least 30 degrees in an anti-clockwise direction. The geological complexity, however, can be simplified by dividing Corsica into two provinces: the Corsica Cristallina, also called Varisica, covering around two thirds of the island, and the Corsica Alpina. The Corsica Cristallina is dominated by granites of Paleozoic, intrusive magmatic rocks whose genesis is connected with the formation of the Pangaea, the last supercontinent of the Earth, originated around 290 Ma (Carboniferous). Tectonic forces, developed to merge continents into one, have produced a series of metamor-

Less than 200 metres More than 200 metres Shift with rotation Points of perforation

Southern France

Corsica

Sardinia

phic rocks of high degree almost simultaneously intruded by the magma that has produced granites, today forming the core of the Corsica Cristallina, including the western and southern parts of the island. The following fragmentation of the Pangaea into continents and oceans allowed the development, among others, of the Tethys, a vast ocean that separated Europe from Africa. Its later subduction (from Latin subductío-ōnis, from subducĕre, remove from below, tear down), that is the reabsorption in the Lithosphere of the crust of the Tethys Ocean under that of European Continent, caused the shift of Africa towards North-East and afterward its collision with and Europe. This collision generated the main chain of the Alps, in particular the Western Alps, the frag-

ments of which are today visible in the central eastern and northern Corsica (Capo Corso). Rocks forming the Corsica Alpina are metamorphic, and they derive from magmatic and sedimentary Jurassic-Cretaceous rocks (199-65 Ma) which formed the crust and the cover of the Tethys sea. Among these the most famous ones are those of the Schistes Lustrés Complex. Modest, though spectacular, outcrops of sedimentary rocks (limestone) are situated near Saint Florent and Bonifacio. These deposits, mainly from the Miocene, represent the first sediments of the Balearic and Tyrrhenian seas. Given the complexity of Corsican geology, some geological facts of the main mountain tops included in the GR20 trek are presented here.

Formations of the Corsica Alpina Miocene sediments Eocene sediments Upper stratum Schistes Lustrés Complex Schistes Lustrés Ophiolites Internal Continental Unities External Continental Unities Formations of the Hercynian Corsica Dacites and Rhyolites Andesites and Dacites Permian-Carboniferous sediments Alkaline Plutonism Rhyolites of Cinto and Scandola Calc-alkaline Plutonism Leucocratic Granites Granites Granodiorites Magnesium-potassic Plutonism Granodiorites Basic complex Pre batholith formations Metamorphic formations

Corsica

Stages The GR20 is composed of 16 stages linking the villages of Calenzana and Conca, crossing the island diagonally, through a route of about 180km and 12,000m of vertical height gain. All of the stages start from and arrive at mountain huts and Gite d’étape, where it is possible to stay overnight. The whole trek can be divided into two sections, North and South; the first one is composed of 9 stages going from Calenzana to Vizzavona, the second covers the following 7 stages up to Conca.

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08.

Calenzana - Ortu di u Piobbu Ortu di u Piobbu - Carrozzu Carrozzu - Haut Asco Haut Asco - Tighiettu Tighiettu - Ciuttulu di i Mori Ciuttulu di i Mori - Manganu Manganu - Petra Piana Petra Piana - L’Onda

09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

L’Onda - Vizzavona Vizzavona - Capanelle Capanelle - Prati Prati - Usciolu Usciolu - Matalza Matalza - Asinau Asinau - Paliri Paliri - Conca

Variants Among the variants proposed here, some are “official” GR20 variants, while other have been especially studied, found and verified for this guide. Variants can be used as total or partial alternatives to the related stages, while in other cases they represent itineraries that can be covered to both directions. Some of them are also of historical interest, since they follow ancient GR20 tracks.

2.1 3.1 4.1 4.2 4.3 6.1 7.1 8.1

Cirque de Bonifatu A Muvrella Cirque de la Solitude Monte Cinto Lac du Cinto Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu Lac de Goria, Capitello and Melo Monte Rotondo

8.2 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini 9.1 Monte D’Oro 9.2 Col de Vizzavona 10.1 Punta dell’Oriente 11.1 Monte Renoso 13.1 Monte Alcudina 15.1 Aiguilles de Bavella 16.1 Punta Tafunata di i Paliri

Calenzana > Ortu di u Piobbu

CALENZANA - ORTU DI U PIOBBU GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY

EE+

difficulty

ÙÙÙÙ physical effort

ÙÙÙÙ beauty

red and white – very frequent and well evident path signposts

275 m / 1520 m

altitude at start/attitude at arrival

1570 m

maximum altitude

Since the beginning, the GR20 shows its strong and tough character with a challenging stage, from all points of view. Difficulties are represented by heat, due to the proximity to the coast, and sudden increase in altitude, taking us from sea level up to more than 1500m at our point of arrival, in a real mountain environment. However, the variety of the landscape repays us of all our hard effort, since the view of the sea follows us throughout the whole hike, along rocky ridges among the forests of Calenzana and Bonifatu, and walking across typical pinus nigra laricio trees and grazing animals. Although numbers might seem excessive, for those who want to speed up, it is possible to link this stage with the second one, also considering that the Rifugio de l’Ortu di u Piobbu does not offer the possibility to stay overnight in the bivouac and it might be difficult to find a good place for the tent.

 1400m /  200m

positive/negative vertical height gain

11 km distance

hiking time

Yes - No phone signal

Funtana di Ortiventi water sources

none escape route

none mountain huts or bivouacs

1580,9 m 1400 m

FR9410113

9 6

1000 m

Feb

Dec

Jan

1200 m

Nov

Mar

800 m

Apr

Oct

May Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

14 15

13 12

600 m 3

400 m 308,9 m

0 km

11,258

WAY POINT

Gite d’etape

1 Calenzana

Gite d’étape Calenzana Spring of Sant’Antonio Funtana di Ortiventi Junction Tra Mare e Monti (Cirque de Bonifatu Circuit) 5 Bocca di U Ravalente 6 Capu di U Ravalente 7 Junction dirt road with gate and Boucle di U Prati 8 Viewpoint on Calvi 9 Bocca à U Saltu 10 Chain-equipped section 11 Capu Ghiovu 12 Bocca à U Bassiguellu 13 Crete du Fucu 14 Refuge de l’Ortu di U Piobbu 15 Fountain 1 2 3 4

D51

Spring of Sant’Antonio



Corbaggio

4 3 Bocca di U Ravalente



Capu di Pratu

Funtana di Ortiventi

6 5 Capu di Ravalente

Viewpoint

Bocca à U Saltu

10 



Capu Ghiovu

Bocca à U Bassiguellu

Crete du Fucu

Refuge de L’Ortu 14 di u Piobbu

Fontana



Punta Pisciaghia

D251

Auberge de la Foret



Capu Ladroncellu

Haut Asco > Tighiettu

HAUT ASCO - TIGHIETTU GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY

EE+

difficulty

We finally get into the massif of the Monte Cinto, dominating the whole island with its 2706m of height.

ÙÙÙÙ physical effort

ÙÙÙÙ beauty

red and white – very frequent and well evident path signposts

1422 m / 1683 m altitude at start/attitude at arrival

2607 m

maximum altitude

 1230m /  970m

The long climb up the Pointe des Eboulis, the highest point reached by the GR20, represents the most demanding part of the whole trek. In addition to the 1200m of steady vertical height gain, we often walk across tiring screes and sections equipped with chains, which are not always necessary though. Especially in august, it is recommended to set off very early in the morning, to avoid long queues of hikers and excessive heat. From Pointe des Eboulis, it is possible to reach the top of the massif with the MONTE CINTO VARIANT, while from Haut Asco, walking along the ski area we get to the Refuge Tighiettu following the old GR20 track, which passes through e Cascettoni with the CIRQUE DE LA SOLITUDE VARIANT.

positive/negative vertical height gain

8 km distance

hiking time

Yes - No phone signal

spring marked on the map water sources

none escape route

none mountain huts or bivouacs FR9400576, FR9410107

10 11 12

2577 m

2400 m

14 15

Feb

Dec

Jan

2200 m

Nov

Mar Apr

Oct

May

Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

2000 m

1800 m 17 6

1600 m 1411,4 m

0 km

8 8,134

WAY POINT

Refuge d’Asco-Stagnu Start of Cirque de la Solitude Variant 3 Haut Asco 4 Spring 5 Hanging bridge on Ruisseau de Tighiettu 6 Equipped sections 7 Lac d’Argento 8 Chains 9 Chains 10 Junction Monte Cinto Variant 11 Junction Lac du Cinto Variant 12 Pointe des Eboulis 13 Lac du Cinto 14 Rocky section 15 Bocca Crucetta 16 Start of descent on scree 17 Refuge Tighiettu 1 2



a Muvrella

D147

Refuge d’Asco-Stagnu

1 3 2



Punta Culaghia Spring



Punta Stranciacone



Punta Missoghiu

6 

Capu Barbo 

Capu di a Muvraghia

7 Lac d’Argento 8 



Punta Rossa  12

Pointe des 11 Eboulis



Punta Minuta

Monte Cinto



Capu Larghia

Bocca Crucetta

16 15 14

13 Lac du Cinto



Capu Falu

Refuge Tighiettu 



Capu a l’Inzecca 

Capu Tighiettu



Capu Ucellu

Capu di Villa

Bergerie de Ballone



Monte Albanu

04 Haut Asco > Tighiettu

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION From Haut Asco the path starts from the asphalt car park in front of the Hotel Restaurant Le Chalet. We head Southward slightly downhill, leaving the village behind us and walking along the D147 from above, inside a wood of pinus nigra laricio trees. On our right, next to the path at an altitude of 1435m, we find a small spring(4), marked by a violet arrow on a large rock. We keep going uphill until we walk along the orographic left hand side of the Ruisseau du Tighiettu, to then cross it passing over a wooden bridge and starting the long climb on the opposite river side after 30’. A first rocky section quickly takes us away from the river and shortly afterwards we come across the first chain-equipped sections(5), located where the path rises through some natural couloirs through the rocks, which do not present particular difficulties if the ground is dry. Once we guess the presence of the river by the sound of water and the sight of a small gully underneath, we come across 2 more chain-equipped sections (mostly unnecessary), then the track turns sharply Eastward and mo-

ves away from the river. We keep going uphill through the rocks, to then pass through some terraces at the base of the Capu Borba. The steep path gives us a little break halfway up, thanks to a flat area where the valley stretches showing a huge amphitheatre dominated by the Monte Cinto. The path heads Southward again, rising sharply across screes, forcing us to progress following many sharp hairpin bends. We reach the edge of the cirque on the smooth ridge of the Bocca di Borba and passing near the small Lac d’Argentu, we arrive under Cinto’s North face, which we follow towards South-West. The track goes round the walls, following the easiest way to the top. Surrounded by rocks, we climb uphill, also with the help of a couple of equipped sections(8), which force us to go through some slightly exposed sections (we can avoid the chains by keeping closer to the wall and passing through some sections of solid rock, which are slightly more difficult technically, but not at all exposed). The path continues on turned soil and we must proceed with attention to avoid drop-

Ruisseau du Tighiettu and the valley towards the Pointe des Eboulis

Section under the Capu Borba

Pointe de Pinzi Corbini

8.2

VARIANT 2

POINTE DE PINZI CORBINI

difficulty

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY

ÙÙÙÙ physical effort

ÙÙÙÙ beauty

double yellow line – very frequent and well evident path signposts

1842 m / 1385 m altitude at start/attitude at arrival

2021 m

maximum altitude

 400m / 850m

Those who prefer a mountain environment to a softer day walking along the Rio Manganello, and have extra energy to spend, can try this ridge variant, shorter but harder, which breaking off straight away from the main track climbs up to the Punta dei Pinzi Corbini. It is recommended to set off only with stable weather, since there are no escape routes or shelters in case of storms, in addition the possibility to find snow at the beginning of the season should not be underestimated. It is a good alternative in case you need to link this stage with the previous one, or to reach Vizzavona in one day. If you cover it to the opposite direction to that described here (from South to North), it can be harder and take a longer time.

positive/negative vertical height gain

7.5 km distance

3h30’

hiking time

Yes - No phone signal

none water sources

none escape route

Abri Helbronner mountain huts or bivouacs

8 9

1994,6 m

FR9400578

1900 m

1 2

3 4

Feb

Dec

Jan

1800 m

Nov

1700 m

Mar Apr

Oct

May Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

150

1600 m 1500 m 1400 m 1287,1 m

16 14 15

0 km

17 18

7,429



Abri Helbronner

Monte Rotondo



Punta Felicina

Lavu Bellebone

WAY POINT

Refuge de Petra Piana Junction STAGE 08 Bocca Manganello Junction Orto Circuit Exposed rocky sections 6 Pointe Murace 7 Serra Bianca 8 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini 9 Viewpoint 10 Bocca a Meta 11 Rocky sections 12 Serra di Tenda and view of Ref. Pietra Piana 13 Capu a Meta 14 Bocca d’Oreccia 15 Crossing with Mare a Mare Nord Variant 16 Junction STAGE 09 17 Refuge de l’Onda 18 Bergeries de l’Onda 1 2 3 4 5



A Maniccia

Refuge de Petra Piana

Bocca 4 3 Manganello



Punta Gialgone



Pointe Murace



Punta di Petra Facciata

R ui

de M an

Viewpoint

9 8



Pointe de Pinzi Corbini

10 11 12 13

Bocca

14 d’Oreccia 15 18 16

Bergeries de l’Onda

Refuge de l’Onda 17 

Punta Marencina

151

8.2 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini

152

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION From the Refuge de Petra Piana, the path heads West and splits after a few metres: going straight on, following the double yellow line marks, we turn into the ridge variant towards Pinzi Corbini. We continue heading West and then South, slightly losing height towards the evident ridge in front of us, that we reach near the Bocca

Manganello(3), at an altitude of 1800m. Once we get to the ridge, we start to climb it up heading South (the ridge runs North-South throughout the whole itinerary), reaching immediately the most demanding and exposed section of the day. Through continuous ups and down, we pass through some rocky sections where we tackle easy climbs and short exposed and unequipped sections, which might be more difficult with

the volume and weight of the rucksack, or with wet ground. Once we overcome the most difficult sections, the ridge opens becoming easier with gentler humps of granite debris and grass patches. We pass, without difficulties, just underneath the Pointe Murace and crossing the Serra Bianca entirely, we arrive at Pointe de Pinzi Corbini(7) at an altitude of 2021m, in about 1h30’ from the mountain hut. From here we can

admire the path just covered and the landscape all around, on the one side the Monte Rotondo and to the other side the Monte D’Oro, while in clear days we might also be able to see the sea in front of us, towards the valley of Maganello, and behind us. The descent towards Bocca a Meta does not present any difficulty, even though the path

The ridge seen from the Refuge de Petra Piana with the Pointe Murace, Serra Bianca and Pointe de Pinzi Corbini standing out

153

Corsica

Circuits These circuits are ring itineraries of 1, 2 and 3 days thought to give you an idea of what walking along the GR20 means. The proposed routes touch stages and variants of the Grande Randonnée, always coming back to the starting point through minor tracks and without having to do transfers.

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09.

266

A Muvrella Circuit Lac de Nino Circuit Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Circuit Col de Vizzavona Circuit Monte D’Oro Circuit Cozzano - Zicavo Circuits Calasima Circuit Monte Rotondo Circuit Vizzavona Circuit

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Monte Renoso Circuit Monte Alcudina Circuit Bavella Circuit Bonifatu Circuits Monte Cinto Circuit Orto Circuit Canaglia Circuit

267

Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Circuit

LAC DE GORIA, CAPITELLO, MELO CIRCUIT (1 DAY) EE+

1500 m

red and white, yellow signs, stone cairns

none

difficulty

signposts

positive vertical height gain

escape route

ÙÙÙÙ

1380 m

17 km

by mountain huts, Bergeries and springs marked on the map

physical effort

altitude at start

distance

water sources

ÙÙÙÙ

2220 m

Refuge de Manganu, Bergerie de Melo

beauty

maximum altitude

mountain huts or bivouacs

hiking time

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY This itinerary can be compared to the most demanding stages of the GR20, due to its vertical height gain, length and hiking time. Moreover, the presence of easy sections equipped with chains and short climbing sections of I degree, require some hiking experience and a steady step. However, the itinerary allows us to see two of the most famous glacial lakes of the island, Melo and Capitello, cover a section of the STAGE 07 of the Grande Randonnée and see the Lac de Goria, less known by tourists than the other ones, but not less spectacular. With a little bit of luck we might even enjoy the view in complete solitude. Those who prefer easier itineraries, avoiding the exposed and chain-equipped sections, once arrived at the Breche de Capitello, they must head South-East towards the Bocca a Soglia, following the itinerary of STAGE 07. From here it is possible to descend easily to the Lac di Melo, following the last section of the path to the opposite direction, described in the LAC DE GORIA, MELO AND CAPITELLO VARIANT.

2216,7 m 2200 m

14 26

2100 m

Nov

Mar Apr

Oct

May Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

284

1900 m

Feb

Dec

Jan

2000 m 24

1800 m 5

1700 m

5 17

1600 m 1500 m 1400 m 1380,7 m 1 0 km

17,185



Cima San Gavino

Bergeries de Vaccaghia

22 23

Bocca d’Acqua 21 Ciarnente

Res

19 20 Lac de Goria 24

Refuge de Manganu

Bergeries de Grotelle

Capo al Chiostro

D623 

Bergeries de Melo

18 17

Rocky section I

26 Breche de Goria 4

WAY POINT

Bergeries de Grotelle Bergeries de Melo Fork in the path Rocky sections with ladders 5 Lac de Melo 6 Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Variant 7 House of the guardian 8 Path to Lac de Goria 9 Lac de Capitello 10 Breche de Capitello 11 GR20 12 Cable-equipped section 13 Viewpoint on Lac de Capitello and Melo 14 Bocca alle Porte 15 Spring 16 Marshland 17 Refuge de Manganu 18 1° Junction to Scoccia 19 Start of Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Variant 20 Orto Circuit 21 Bocca d’Acqua Ciarnente 22 Bergerie de Lenze (ruins) 23 Bergerie de Giovannaccia (ruins) 24 Lac de Goria 25 Rocky section I 26 Breche de Goria 1 2 3 4



Spring

Pointe des Sept Lacs

Bocca alle Porte 14 

Punta alle Porte

8 Lac de Capitello 9

Viewpoint on Lac de Capitello and Melo

7 6

10 Breche de Capitello 12 11

5 Lac de Melo

Lac de Rinoso



Punta Muzzella

285

03 Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Circuit

286

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION We reach the Bergerie de Grotelle where we leave the car; keep in mind that this place is very crowded during summer so, if you arrive late in the morning, you might be forced to leave the car far along the road (the car park opens at 5.30 and costs 6€ per day. If you arrive when the car park is still closed, you can pay once you come back. It is possible to park the car for several

days, but it is not allowed to sleep here). The path starts on the right side of the Bergerie, well evident and yellow marked. If we set off early, we can enjoy walking under a pleasant shade along the way up to the Lac di Melo. The track rises steadily along the orographic left hand side of the Restonica and, although the valley is quite open, it is dominated by imposing rock faces. In short we arrive at the Bergerie de Melo, at

an altitude of 1550m, offering the possibility to taste typical products at wooden tables placed on the sides of the path. In this section, it is easy to come across shepherds with mules, used for carrying materials from and to the Bergerie, beyond which we arrive at a small grassy plain where the path splits(3). Here we have the possibility to choose two different ways, one going uphill and the other downhill. Turning into the

track to our right, along the orographic left hand side of the river, the climb is immediately steep, passing through an easy rocky section on beautiful granite slabs, presenting some sections equipped with chains and ladders(4) (not totally necessary and very polished due to frequent passages) and taking us to the lake’s plain; choosing the other way, instead, we cross the river heading towards the great rock faces in front

Lac de Goria

287

Monte Cinto Circuit

MONTE CINTO CIRCUIT (3 DAYS) EE+/F

red and white, old covered with red paint, white, orange, stone cairns

3000 m

path to Lozzi from the Refuge de l’Erco

difficulty

signposts

positive vertical height gain

escape route

ÙÙÙÙ

1422 m

22 km

spring marked on the map and near the Tighiettu

physical effort

altitude at start

distance

water sources

ÙÙÙÙ

2706 m

15h45’

Refuge Tighiettu and Refuge de l’Erco

beauty

maximum altitude

mountain huts or bivouacs

hiking time

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY This itinerary is recommended for expert hikers and those familiar with mountain environment. Many of the places through which we will pass present climbing sections, even if easy and not particularly exposed. In addition, tracks are sometimes little evident and only marked with stone cairns, therefore a minimum of confidence with map reading and the use of GPS are necessary. The itinerary allows us to cross the famous Cirque de la Solitude and reach the main mountain top of the island, walk along paths which are now little frequented and sleep alone in an abandoned mountain hut of the park. This is probably the most complicated itinerary, from every point of view, that you will find inside this book, but you will surely like it.

2657,2 m 2600 m

2200 m

Nov

Mar Apr

Oct

May Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

368

42 11

Feb

Dec

Jan

2400 m

2000 m 1800 m 38

1600 m 1411,4 m 1 0 km

22,098

WAY POINT

Haut Asco Car park Cirque de la Solitude Variant 4 Ski area 5 Refuge d’Asco-Stagnu 6 Ski piste 7 Junction to path leaving ski pistes 8 Back to old ski area outside the wood 9 Junction A Muvrella Circuit 10 Lac d’Altore 11 Bocca Tumasginesca 12 Old bolts and descent on solid rocks 13 Couloir of debris 14 Grassy ledge 15 Cemented step, plate and old bolts 16 Last vertical sections with marks of old chains 17 Behind the Tour de la Solitude 18 Ascent on a canal of debris 19 Bocca Minuta 20 Refuge de Tighiettu 21 STAGE 04 22 Start of uphill section on scree 23 Bocca Crucetta 24 Rocky section 25 Pointe des Eboulis 26 STAGE 04 (to Tighiettu) 27 Junction Monte Cinto and Lac du Cinto Variant 1 2 3



a Muvrella

D147

Refuge d’Asco-Stagnu

4 6



Punta Culaghia

1 2 3

7 51

Spring



Punta Stranciacone

8 50



Punta Missoghiu

49 

Capu Borba 

Capu di a Muvraghia

48 Lac d’Argento 47

10 Lac d’Altore

46 45 27 30 26 25 29  28 Pointe des Eboulis 44

13 1211 Bocca Tumasginesca 14 15 16



Punta Minuta  18 Capu 19 Bocca Minuta

Larghia

Bocca Crucetta 23 24

32 34

Lac du Cinto 42

Refuge de l’Erco



Capu Falu

Refuge de Tighiettu

 33

Monte Cinto



Capu a I’Inzecca



Capu Tighiettu

Lac du Cinto Variant Monte Cinto Variant Western subpeak Breche de la Foce e Collet Tucket 32 Path to Refuge de l’Erco 33 Monte Cinto 34 1° Couloir 35 2° Couloir 36 Forced passage through ledge 37 Petra Fisculina 38 Refuge de l’Erco 28 29 30 31

Bergerie de Ballone

Path to Lozzi Rau de l’Erco Fork Lac du Cinto Descent on scree Rock walls STAGE 04 (to HautAsco) Chains Chains Lac d’Argento Equipped section Hanging bridge on Ruisseau de Tighiettu 51 Spring 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

369

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Monte Cinto Circuit

DAY 1: Once we park the car(2) in the open space at the end of the ski area, we start to walk following the description of the CIRQUE DE LA SOLITUDE VARIANT(3), taking us in about 4h30’ to our first destination, the Refuge de Tighjettu(20), after a beautiful day to the discover of the famous glacial cirque.

370

DAY 2: From the mountain hut, we climb up the valley of the Ruisseau de Crucetta up to Bocca Crucetta(23) and next to the Pointe des Eboulis(25), then we proceed for 3h15’ along the itinerary of STAGE 04 towards the opposite direction to the one of the description. Near the Pointe des Eboulis we leave the GR20 to follow the MONTE CINTO VARIANT(29) and we reach the island’s highest top(33) in 45’. We come back

following the same path until we reach an altitude of 2630m, where the path, descending from the top, turns sharply and proceeds parallel to the ridge going past an even rock slab. The little evident path(32) breaks off here, precisely towards South using a small couloir, marked only with several stone cairns, and then with old, occasional and large white dots. The path descends without a fixed way at the beginning,

inside the couloir(34), going along a small rocky ridge. We cross it on solid terraces entering a second and larger couloir(35) on loose terrain. We descend inside this couloir through the rocks, with several stone cairns showing us the right way, until we reach a wooden sign showing “Monte Cinto”. Here we have to keep to the left of the couloir and, through a forced passage(36) along a small ledge (hard to see, stone cairns

The valley towards Haut Asco from Lavu d’Altore

371

374 Ortu di U Piobbu > Carrozzu

Refuge Tighiettu

375

Orto Circuit

ORTO CIRCUIT (3 DAYS) EE+

2500 m

red and white (GR20), yellow, orange dots, stone cairns

D23 near Guagno

difficulty

signposts

positive vertical height gain

escape route

ÙÙÙÙ

750 m

33.5 km

several marked on the map

physical effort

altitude at start

distance

water sources

ÙÙÙÙ

2220 m

15h40’

Ref. Manganu and Petra Piana, Gite d’étape Guagno

beauty

maximum altitude

mountain huts or bivouacs

hiking time

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY A three day circuit allowing us to cover one of the most beautiful stages of the whole trek, thanks to two long days taking us inside and outside the GR20. STAGE 07 (during the second day) goes round, through a long ridge track, the basins of the lakes of Capitello, Melo and Rinoso, that can be reached with strenuous detours. The access to the GR20 passes through the quiet area of the Lac de Creno and, through a long but charming mule track, it allows us to reach our first destination for the night. During the final day, we abandon the most crowded places, descend undisturbed into the valley of the u Fiume Grosso and come back to the starting point after having passed through the village of Guagno.

2216,7 m 2200 m

2000 m 44

Nov

Mar Apr

Oct

May

376

Jul

Jun

Aug

Sep

25 29

1600 m

Feb

Dec

Jan

1800 m

1400 m

1200 m

1000 m

800 m 1 600 m 553,7 m

0 km

33,5

48 Bocca Manganello 49

Car park Orto Junction Mare a Mare Nord Var. Dirt road Uphill section on hairpin bends White cross Path to Soccia Junction to Monte Sant’Eliseo Junction to Soccia Fountain Oratory Monte Sant’Eliseo Fountain of a Veduvella House of park Spring Lac de Creno Wood of conifers Ruisseau de Zoicu Hanging bridge Track on old mule track 20 Source de l’Oscazzu 21 2° Section on old mule track 22 Fork 23 Bocca d’Acqua Ciarnente 24 STAGE 06 (to Castel de Vergio) 25 STAGE 06 (to Manganu) 26 Junction Lac De Goria Variant 27 2° Path to GR20 28 Hanging bridge 29 Refuge de Manganu 30 STAGE 07 31 Marshland 32 Spring 33 Bocca alle Porte 34 Viewpoint on Lac de Capitello and Melo

40 Surghjenta di Vesco 39 38 Bocca a Soglia

Lac de Melo

33 Bocca alle Porte 34 Viewpoint 35 Punta alle Porte 36 Breche de Capitello 37 

Manganu

Fountain

e Grosso

62 61

U Fium

Oratory Monte Sant’Eliseo

64 63



Monte Sant’Eliseo

2 3

D223

4 1

D23

7 6

Spring Fountain

15 Lac de Creno

13 14 12 Fountain of a Veduvella

Source de l’Oscazzu

22 27 28 21 Refuge de 29 30

Bocca d’Acqua Ciarnente 23

24 26

55 54

Spring

Lac de Capitello

Section with cable Junction Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Circuit 37 Breche de Capitello 38 Bocca a Soglia 39 Junction Lac de Goria, Capitello, Melo Variant 40 Surghjenta di Vesco 41 Col de Rinoso 42 Lac de Rinoso 43 Bocca Muzzella 44 Refuge de Pietra Piana 45 Junction Monte Rotondo Variant 46 Junction STAGE 08 47 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini Variant 48 Bocca Manganello 49 Pointe de Pinzi Corbini Variant 50 Steep descent 51 U Fiume Grosso 52 Bergeries de Bassitone (ruins) 53 Bergerie de Caracuto 54 Spring 55 Ruins 56 Dirt road to Guagno 57 Path to Guagno 58 Forest road 59 Asphalt road 60 Fountain 61 Guagno 62 Path Mare a Mare Nord Var. 63 Bridge on u Fiume Grosso 64 Swimming pools 35 36

42 Lac de Rinoso 41 Col de Rinoso 43 Bocca Muzzella

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

45 Refuge de 47 46 44 Pietra Piana

Lavu Bellebone

WAY POINT

377

MOUNTAINEERING GUIDEBOOKS Climbing | Outdoor Sports | Trekking www.versantesud.it

CORSICA GR 20

Articles inside

their difficulty

Wild pasture and local products

Reading of the itineraries and legend Classification of itineraries based on

The flora of Corsica

Introductory Note

Introduction