GR20 | Europe's toughest hiking trail

75 kilometres across Corsica's granite mountains.

Widely recognised as one of the toughest long-distance trails in the world

Mountains and sea plus alpine-style scrambling: what outdoor lover wouldn't want to give it a try?

75 kilometres across Corsica's granite mountains

Corsica, France

Price$1600

Book

Duration: 8 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Group size: 8-12 people
Altitude: 3000m

What you will experience

Extreme scenery: from deep glacial lakes (Lac de Nino) to jagged forests of granite peaks.
A double crossing: snowy peaks on your left, the deep blue sea on your right, a true experience of “mountains and sea” at their most stunning.
Technical challenge: plenty of rock scrambling, sometimes with the help of cables and ladders. If you enjoy climbing with hands and feet, this will be a real thrill.

What makes the GR20 so hard?

The GR20 isn't just about distance and elevation gain; the core challenge is the technical terrain.

Broken granite ridges

The northern section has almost no "path" to speak of. Most of the time you are moving over huge granite slabs, steep scree slopes and narrow ridgelines. Many stretches require hands and feet, and some even involve traversing along fixed chains. This thrill of moving across rock faces is an alpine-style experience that ordinary hiking can't offer.

Punishing cumulative elevation

The total ascent and descent come to about 12,000 m. Unlike the gentle climbs of the TMB, the GR20 often goes straight up and straight down, placing very high demands on the stability of your knees and ankles.

The unpredictable "Mediterranean temper"

In the early morning you may be baking in the sun, and by the afternoon a thunderstorm can break over the summits without warning. Walking on wet, slippery rock multiplies the danger many times over.

Very few exit points: assess yourself carefully before you start

Once you set off, the technical rock ridges and chained sections make it practically impossible to cut across and leave partway; you usually have to complete the day's route to reach the stage end. On the northern section, the only key points where you can safely leave the trail are Haut-Asco and Vizzavona, both of which have road and transport connections.

Itinerary

Trek LocationBriancon, France

Day 1｜Arrival in Corsica → Vizzavona
Arrive at Bastia Airport (BIA) on the group airport transfer and head to Vizzavona to check in to a mountain inn. Sort out your gear, meet your teammates, and go through the route plan with the leader.
Day 2｜Vizzavona → Petra Piana
A hardcore start. We enter the mountains via the Cascade des Anglais waterfalls, climb to the Brêche de Muratellu (2,100m) and push on along rugged ridges. Several sections require hands and feet, and the views open up completely on both sides of the ridgeline.
Day 3｜Petra Piana → Manganu
Cross a lunar-like rocky landscape, looking down on Lac de Capitello and the Mediterranean. The distance is short, but the terrain stays rough throughout, so don't let your guard down.
Day 4｜Manganu → Col de Vergio
The day with the best rhythm. Pass Lac de Nino (1,743m) and walk through vast beech forests. The terrain is relatively gentle, a good moment midway to reset.
Day 5｜Col de Vergio → U Vallone
Climb steadily up the Golo valley to a mountain hut at around 2,000m. After five days, fatigue starts to build up, and managing your pace matters more than strength.
Day 6｜U Vallone → Haut-Asco
The most intense day of the whole route. Summit Pointe des Eboulis (2,607m, the highest point of the route) and climb to the foot of Monte Cinto, with lots of technical rock sections; the stretches where you really need your hands are concentrated here. The shortest distance of the trip, and the most emotionally intense day.
DAY 7｜Haut-Asco → Bonifatu → Calvi
The final stage. Descend past Lac de la Muvrella to Bonifatu, then transfer to Calvi. Six days of granite end here: check in to the hotel, look out at the sea, and enjoy a proper dinner.

Impressions

Price

€1,600 / person

Price includes

7 nights of selected accommodation throughout (4–5★)

Geneva airport transfers

Private vehicle throughout, including cross-border transfers

Chinese-speaking experience leader (the founder travels with the first departure)

Professional international mountain leader

Cable cars / mountain transport

All breakfasts / 4 lunches / 5 dinners

Luggage transfers

Price excludes

International return flights

Travel insurance

Some meals at your own choice

Cost of optional activities on D5

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation and refund policy

More than 90 days before departure

        Full refund

        Including the deposit, with no payment fees deducted

60–89 days before departure

50% of the amount paid refunded (including the deposit)

30–59 days before departure

25% of the amount paid refunded (including the deposit)

Less than 30 days before departure

No refund

Trip cancelled by Terra Wild

        Full refund + €50 / person credit

The deposit is included when calculating the refund percentage.

No payment fees are deducted from any refund.

If non-refundable third-party costs have already been incurred (e.g. hotels, transport, guides), Terra Wild reserves the right to deduct them accordingly.

Cancellations must be submitted by email to terrawildfrance@gmail.com