Fast pace
GR20 in 10 days: the fast itinerary, stage by stage
Completing the GR20 in 10 days is a demanding traverse: long stages, several very hard days back to back and little margin. Our planner balances this split as well as it can, but it stays reserved for seasoned hikers who are comfortable on technical ground and well trained.
The pace
Why 10 days?
It's the format for fast hikers and trail runners: you take on big elevation every day to finish in around ten stages. The hardest part isn't a single stage, but the back-to-back of long days without real recovery.
What this pace demands
Excellent fitness, a light pack, the habit of long mountain days and serious management of effort, water and sleep.
What this pace gives
A dense traverse, done in under two weeks, with real sporting satisfaction — provided you arrive prepared and stay clear-headed about fatigue.
The stages
The detailed stage table
Distance, elevation gain, estimated walking time and difficulty for each day. These are exactly the figures our planner computes, from the OpenStreetMap track of the GR20.
| Day | Stage | Distance | D+ | D- | Time | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calenzana → Ortu di u Piobbu | 10.9 km | +1,380 m | -130 m | 5h08 | 5/5 |
| 2 | Ortu di u Piobbu → Ascu Stagnu / Haut-Asco | 12.2 km | +1,380 m | -1,460 m | 5h55 | 5/5 |
| 3 | Ascu Stagnu / Haut-Asco → Ciottulu di i Mori | 14.6 km | +1,810 m | -1,220 m | 7h12 | 5/5 |
| 4 | Ciottulu di i Mori → Bergeries de Vaccaghja | 22.8 km | +650 m | -1,040 m | 6h26 | 5/5 |
| 5 | Bergeries de Vaccaghja → Petra Piana | 10.4 km | +860 m | -580 m | 4h08 | 4/5 |
| 6 | Petra Piana → Vizzavona | 20.0 km | +1,090 m | -2,010 m | 7h08 | 5/5 |
| 7 | Vizzavona → Bocca di Verde | 26.7 km | +1,220 m | -880 m | 8h21 | 5/5 |
| 8 | Bocca di Verde → Usciolu | 15.6 km | +1,190 m | -730 m | 5h57 | 5/5 |
| 9 | Usciolu → Asinau | 20.8 km | +870 m | -1,070 m | 6h29 | 5/5 |
| 10 | Asinau → Conca | 28.3 km | +720 m | -2,010 m | 8h05 | 5/5 |
| Total | 10 stages | 182.4 km | +11,220 m | -11,250 m | 64h48 |
How to read these numbers? The time shown is an estimated walking time (excluding breaks) for an average pace; on the trail, add stops, meals and weather. The D+ / D- are rounded, smoothed GPS values: the total track distance stays 182.4 km.
Watch out
The demanding days
On this split, 3 days stand out for their length or elevation gain. Plan an early start, carry water and keep some margin for a rough patch.
Ascu Stagnu / Haut-Asco → Ciottulu di i Mori
14.6 km, +1,810 m of gain, ~7h12 walking. Start early and don't rush it.
Vizzavona → Bocca di Verde
26.7 km, +1,220 m of gain, ~8h21 walking. Start early and don't rush it.
Asinau → Conca
28.3 km, +720 m of gain, ~8h05 walking. Start early and don't rush it.
Accommodation
Where to sleep on this route
The 9 nights of this split, from start to finish. Book the Park refuges early in season — details, contacts and prices on our GR20 accommodation page.
- Night 1 Ortu di u Piobbu 1540 m
- Night 2 Ascu Stagnu / Haut-Asco 1443 m
- Night 3 Ciottulu di i Mori 1994 m
- Night 4 Bergeries de Vaccaghja 1589 m
- Night 5 Petra Piana 1857 m
- Night 6 Vizzavona 941 m
- Night 7 Bocca di Verde 1291 m
- Night 8 Usciolu 1750 m
- Night 9 Asinau 1550 m
Your way
Adapt this itinerary to your level
This split is a balanced starting point. In the planner you can change the duration, the direction (North-South or South-North), your pace and your pack: the stages, distances, times and difficulty recompute live, and you can download the GPX track for each day.
Level required
Who this pace is for
The right split depends above all on your mountain experience and your preparation. Here, honestly, is who this format suits.
Beginner
Avoid: too long, too technical, too intense for a first time.
Occasional hiker
The risk of injury and exhaustion is too high at this pace.
Very fit hiker
Doable with real preparation and the habit of high mountains.
Trail runner / seasoned mountaineer
The right profile for this fast, committing format.
Methodology
How we calculate these numbers
Compare
Other durations and variants
This pace isn't for you? Compare it with the other GR20 splits — each page details its stages, elevation gain and difficulty.
Keep going