France – Corsica – GR20 – the Great Traverse
Complete traverse of the legendary GR20 from Calenzana to Conca with tent accommodation and support vehicle
from 1.610 € p.p.
„France – Corsica – GR20 – the Great Traverse“ lasts 18 days (coach travel) / 16 days (flight) / 15 days (shortened variant), costs from 1.610 € per person. Next departure: 17.09.2026. Tour operator: RAWAKAS – Reisen mit Charakter. Advice and enquiries via Sport Meisel — we reply within one working day.
The GR20 is one of the most beautiful and most demanding mountain treks in Europe. The route runs from Calenzana in the north-west to Conca in the south-east, right across Corsica, covering a total of over 10,000 metres of ascent and descent.
The terrain varies between quiet forests, alpine landscapes up to 2,700 m, valleys with mountain streams and rocky sections made safer with fixed protection. Stages take between 6 and 11 hours of walking with a fully packed backpack. Every three to four days the group meets the support vehicle for provisions and a change of clothes; a rest day in Corte is scheduled.
Sure-footedness, a head for heights and very good fitness are required; easy climbing at grade 1 should be mastered. Nights are spent in tents – partly in Rawakas tents, partly in simple Corsican pop-up tents at the refuges. The best travel time is early autumn with pleasantly mild mountain weather.
Trip highlights
- Complete traverse of the GR20 over approx. 180 km
- Spectacular views in the high alpine north
- Climbing sections at grade 1 with fixed protection
- Bathing pools at mountain streams along the way
- Col de Bavella with tafoni climbing
- Rest day in Corte with the Restonica valley and picturesque lanes
- A final swim in the sea at Conca
Itinerary — day by day
1 Day 1 · Journey Dresden → ferry port
Coach ride from Dresden via Chemnitz, Nuremberg, Munich, Switzerland and Italy to the ferry port; night ferry to Corsica if possible.
2 Day 2 · Arrival on Corsica → Calvi
Arrival in Ile Rousse/Bastia, drive to Calvi, town walk and preparation for the trek.
3 Day 3 · Calenzana → Refuge Ortu di Piobbu
Start of the trek with a long ascent to Refuge Ortu di Piobbu.
4 Day 4 · Refuge Ortu di Piobbu → Refuge Carrozzu
Stage across alpine terrain to Refuge Carrozzu.
5 Day 5 · Refuge Carrozzu → Refuge Stagnu
Across the Spasimata suspension bridge to Refuge Stagnu; meeting the support vehicle.
6 Day 6 · Refuge Stagnu → Refuge Tighiettu
Demanding stage with a big climb to Refuge Tighiettu.
7 Day 7 · Refuge Tighiettu → Castel de Vergio
Long stage to Castel de Vergio; meeting the support vehicle.
8 Day 8 · Castel de Vergio → Refuge Manganu
Stage through changing landscapes to Refuge Manganu.
9 Day 9 · Refuge Manganu → Refuge Pietra Piana
High alpine stage to Refuge Pietra Piana.
10 Day 10 · Refuge Pietra Piana → Tattone → Corte
Descent to Tattone, train ride on the Corsican railway to Corte. Option: sportier variant to Vizzavona.
11 Day 11 · Rest day in Corte
Rest day with sightseeing in Corsica's secret capital.
12 Day 12 · Vizzavona → Col de Verde
One of the longest stages across the southern part of the GR20 to the Col de Verde.
13 Day 13 · Col de Verde → Refuge d'Usciolu
Long ridge stage to the Refuge d'Usciolu.
14 Day 14 · Refuge d'Usciolu → Asinao Camp
Demanding stage to Asinao Camp.
15 Day 15 · Asinao Camp → Refuge di Paliri
Stage to Refuge di Paliri; in good weather an optional alpine variant. Meeting the support vehicle at the Col de Bavella.
16 Day 16 · Refuge di Paliri → Conca
Final stage to Conca, transfer to the sea and a restaurant visit.
17 Day 17 · Ghisonaccia → Bastia → ferry port
Drive to Bastia and night ferry back to the mainland if possible.
18 Day 18 · Arrival in Dresden
Return journey by coach and arrival in Dresden.
Services
Included
- Coach travel from/to Dresden to Corsica
- All ferry crossings
- Corsican entry tax
- All transfers on Corsica
- All tent nights in 2-person tents
- Full group catering as described
- Guided hiking programme
- Train ride on the Corsican railway
- German tour guide
Not included
- Flights (approx. €580 for the flight option)
- Airport transfer (by arrangement)
- Single tent supplements
- Cabin berth on the ferry
- Self-catering on the outward and return journey
- Personal expenses and insurance
Optional extras
- Flights (flight option: arrive Calvi / depart Bastia)from €580.00
- 7 nights single tent (support vehicle contact)€90.00
- 8 nights single tent (mountains)€70.00
- Ferry cabin berth (4-berth cabin)from €30.00
- Ferry cabin berth (2-berth cabin)from €60.00
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation
Tent nights in 2-person tents (Rawakas tents VauDe/Reyka), partly simple Corsican pop-up tents on site at the refuges
Meals
Full group catering prepared by ourselves (incl. compact food and muesli bars); self-catering on the outward and return journey; on the rest day in Corte breakfast and a shared dinner at a restaurant
Difficulty & requirements
Sure-footedness, a head for heights and very good fitness for up to 10 hours of walking with a fully packed backpack. Easy climbing at grade 1 should be mastered.
Getting there & back
Coach travel from/to Dresden with ferry crossings, alternatively an individual flight to Calvi/Bastia (flight from approx. €580)
Dates & prices
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the GR20 really?
The GR20 is considered one of the most demanding mountain treks in Europe. Stages take 6 to 11 hours with a fully packed backpack; you need sure-footedness, a head for heights, very good fitness and should master easy climbing at grade 1.
How does resupply work along the way?
Every three to four days the group meets the support vehicle, where provisions and a change of clothes can be swapped. A rest day in Corte is scheduled.
How are the tents and huts equipped?
Nights are spent in 2-person tents (Rawakas tents) or partly in simple Corsican pop-up tents at the refuges. The standard of the sanitary facilities is not comparable to the Alps or Pyrenees; in Corsican tents, very tall guests over 1.9 m have little headroom.
Do I have to declare vegetarian diets or allergies?
Yes. Vegetarians or people with allergies must state this when registering and additionally get in touch by phone at least 6 weeks before the tour.
Operator & travel security
This trip is operated by RAWAKAS – Reisen mit Charakter. Sport Meisel arranges this trip. The travel terms of the operator apply.
- Package travel insolvency insurance certificate of the tour operator
- Emergency number: +49 351 4245 0892
- Processed under German travel law (§ 651a ff. BGB, EU Package Travel Directive).
What our travellers say
Everyday life caught up with me too quickly, but the memory of this great tour has stayed with me for more than four years. Perfect organisation and guidance.
All good. Looking back with some distance, it was a genuinely interesting tour both physically and mentally.
This trek will stay in my memory as something special. I was surprised by how exciting the route was and by the quality of the group. The organisation was top – the lack of hygiene in Corsican mountain huts is not something RAWAKAS can be blamed for.
13 days and 180 km of walking, 15,000 vertical metres and an 11-14 kg backpack. From the high alpine north via the rest day in Corte to the gentler southern part – the highlight was the Col de Bavella with the tafoni climbing. I will come again, I want more of this!
Superbly organised trip, very good catering, but a rather demanding path – or let us rather say a well-marked route through pathless terrain.
I have been back home for almost four weeks now and everyday life has me again. I would book again any time, it was an unforgettable experience. Praise for organisational details such as securing the tents in bad weather.
Sport Meisel in pictures
Enquire about this trip
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