France,Corsica, the great peaks of the island of beauty
This program for hikers in very good physical condition and capable of going off-trail proposes four of Corsica's most emblematic peaks: Incudine and its views towards Sardinia, Rotondo surrounded by lakes, Paglia Orba called the Corsican Matterhorn and Monte Cinto, the highest of all.
8 days from €1280
Confirmed from 4 people
Difficulty: 4/5
6 hours or more of walking per day. Some days may involve an elevation gain of 1000 meters or more. Very good physical condition required. Regular practice of an endurance sport for 2 to 3 months prior to departure.
Off-trail experience required. Itinerary reserved for mountain hikers.
Corsica, an island continent with mountains that are ever-present in its majestic landscapes, is one of the most attractive destinations for hikers from all over the world. Known above all for the GR20, a legendary route renowned for its difficulty and beauty, it also offers hikers in good physical condition and capable of venturing off-trail, breathtaking peaks exceeding 2,000 meters. This program proposes four of the most emblematic. From south to north: Incudine with its views towards Sardinia, Rotondo surrounded by lakes, Paglia Orba, known as the Corsican Matterhorn, and Monte Cinto, the highest of them all.
The pluses of this program
Ascent of 4 of the most beautiful peaks in Corsica: Incudine (2,134 m), Monte Rotondo (2,622 m), Paglia Orba (2,525 m) and the roof of Corsica, Monte Cinto (2,706 m).
Small group sports itinerary (maximum 8 people).
Two nights in the refuge and 5 nights in the hotel (comfort).
Program
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Program 〰️
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ARRIVAL IN AJACCIO. TRANSFER TO ZONZA.
Arrival at Ajaccio airport and transfer by van driven by the guide to the village of Zonza, at the foot of our first summit. We will spend the night in a hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Zonza. Transfer: 2 hours
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ASCENT OF LA INCUDINA (2,134M) VIA LOS CORRALES DE ASINAO.
Incudine is the southernmost of the Corsican peaks over 2,000 meters. The ascent through the Asinao sheepfolds, between the famous Bavella and Incudine peaks, allows us to reach this magnificent viewpoint overlooking southern Corsica in just over 1,000 meters of elevation gain. Below us lies the entire northern part of Sardinia, very close by, as well as the bays of Ajaccio and Valinco, the northern Corsican peaks, and even the Italian Apennines...
The ascent presents no technical difficulties.
On our descent we took the road to Corte to get closer to our next summit.
Positive elevation gain: 1100 m
Negative gradient: 1100 m. 7 hours of walking
Accommodation: Hotel in Corte. Transfer: 2h15
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MONTE ROTONDO - STAGE 1 - MOUNTED AT THE PETRA PIANA REFUGE BY THE MANGANELLO.
Early in the morning we left Corte by train. After a half-hour journey south, we got off at the small station of Savaggio. The trail climbs alongside the beautiful Manganello mountain stream and its turquoise pools (a swim is a must!). The Petra Piana refuge, the oldest on the GR20, welcomes us at the top of the climb. We had dinner and breakfast at the refuge and spent the night in a tent next to it (tents and mattresses were already provided; we only brought a duvet).
Positive elevation gain: 1100 m.
Negative elevation change: 50 m. 5h of walking.
Accommodation: shelter/tent. Transfer: 30 minutes (train).
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Monte Rotondo - Stage 2 - the summit (2,622 m) and the descent through the lakes of Capitello and Melo towards Restonica.
With our light backpacks (we left our down jackets and some other things at the refuge), we began the ascent of Corsica's second highest peak. We climbed a trail towards Lake Bellebone—also known as Lake Rotondo—nestled in a rocky cirque. From the lake, we passed through the Pointe de Lance pass before reaching the summit via a ridge with a few short, easy scrambles. We enjoyed extraordinary views from the 2,622-meter summit of Monte Rotondo and descended back to the refuge along the same trail. After retrieving our down jackets, we continued our hike, passing the Bocca Muzzella pass before descending to the beautiful lakes of Capitello and Melo. We finished our trek in the La Restonica valley. A short bus transfer took us to Corte. Overnight at a hotel in Corte.
Positive elevation gain: 1,140 m.
Negative elevation change: 1614 m. 8h on foot.
Accommodation: Hotel in Corte. Transfer: 30 minutes (Shuttle).
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PAGLIA ORBA -STAGE 1- ASSEMBLED IN THE CIOTTULU DI I MORI SHELTER
A peaceful day begins with a transfer to the Verghju pass where we leave our car and start the climb to the Ciottulu di i mori refuge (1,991m), the highest and most alpine of the GR20 refuges. Dinner at the refuge and then we watch the sunset on the ridge near the refuge... As in Petra Piana, we spend the night in a tent (tents and mattresses are already on site, we only bring our duvets).
Positive elevation gain: 560 m.
Negative elevation change: 50 m. 3h on foot.
Accommodation: shelter/tent. Transfer: 1h15
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PAGLIA ORBA - STAGE 2 - ASCENT TO THE SUMMIT (2525 m)
We set off early in the morning to get a clear view of the summit of Paglia Orba, Corsica's so-called Matterhorn, where magnificent chapters of the island's mountaineering history have been written. The ascent of this red rock mountain begins with a climb up a trail to the pass between Paglia Orba and Capu Tufanatu. From the Pass of the Moors, we ascend the chimneys of the normal route. Several sections of easy climbing, where the guide will assist you, lead us to the final ridge, where a path takes us to the summit. Magnificent views unfold, from Cap de Corse to the north to the distant Incudine to the south. Nearby Monte Cinto seems to beckon us. Tomorrow, it will be its turn!
Descent along the same route to the refuge and then to the Verghju pass and transfer to Asco from where we will depart tomorrow for the last ascent of the stay
Positive elevation gain: 650 m.
Negative slope: 1300 m. 7 hours of walking.
Accommodation: Hotel. Transfer: 1h50
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MOUNT CINTO (2706 M), THE ROOF OF THE ISLAND.
From the end of the Asco Valley road, we ascended following the GR20 trail to the Eboulis peak, the highest point on the entire GR20. Several sections are equipped with chains to aid our progress. After the Desjrendimientos peak, we left the GR20 to continue along the summit ridge, which heads north to the summit of Cintu. Reaching the top was the culmination of this week in the mountains on the island of beauty. Before us lay all the peaks we had climbed, and in our memories, an experience that will remain one of the most beautiful of our mountaineering lives.
Descent via the same route and overnight stay in Asco at the hotel.
Positive elevation gain: 1300 m
Negative elevation change: 1300 m. 8 hours on foot.
Accommodation: Hotel.
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END OF STAY
Transfer to Ajaccio and its airport after breakfast and dispersion (arrived at the airport around noon).
Important information
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2 nights in the tent (tents and mattresses are on site, we only bring the comforters).
3 nights in the hotel.
2 nights at home.
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At the hotel, house or shelter.
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By minibus.
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Mid-mountain companion.
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6 hours or more of walking per day. Some days may involve an elevation gain of 1000 meters or more. Very good physical condition required. Regular practice of an endurance sport for 2 to 3 months prior to departure. You must be able to leave the trail and must not suffer from vertigo.
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Between 4 and 8 people
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All summits are done with supplies only for the day. All other belongings should be left at the hotel or refuge. For Monte Rotondo and Paglia Orba, bring a duvet, a bag of meat, and a small toiletry bag to the refuge.
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At the time of registration you will receive a complete list adapted to this stay.
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Varied and adapted to the intense hike. Prepared by the guide with local products.
Prices and conditions
PRICE FROM €1280
Included in the price: Half-board accommodation from day 1 to day 8 (7 nights). 6 picnics (from day 2 to day 7 inclusive). Luggage and passenger transfers as per the program. VAT. State-certified mountain guide. Tourist tax.
Not included in the price: Transfer between the mainland and the island. Meals on Day 1 except dinner. Meals on Day 8 except breakfast. Dinner on Day 7. Drinks, personal expenses, tips, or any service not mentioned in the "included in the price" section above. Insurance.
Airline tickets and single room supplement: please contact us