Sporty format
GR20 in 8 days: the sporty itinerary, stage by stage
Eight days is the first genuinely sporty way to cross the whole GR20. That means 22.8 km and nearly +1,400 m of elevation gain a day on average, with seven of the eight stages rated very hard. This split is for very fit hikers and trail runners used to long mountain days. If you're still unsure about your fitness, look at a longer format instead: here there is no margin at all.
The pace
Why 8 days?
It's the format chosen by those who want to push fast without tipping into pure trail running. The engine groups the official stages to fit it into eight days, which makes for dense days: the hardest one piles up 28.5 km and +1,999 m of gain in a single push. The difficulty doesn't come from one isolated summit but from the consistency: eight big days in a row, no real rest day, with refuge nights as your only recovery.
What this pace demands
Real mountain training volume, legs used to stringing together 1,500 m of gain several days running, a pack trimmed to the minimum and strict discipline over water, food and sleep. Any weak point shows up by day three or four.
What this pace gives
A full traverse wrapped up in one big week, the intensity of an openly sporting goal and the satisfaction of holding a format few hikers can sustain — provided you arrive genuinely prepared and never push through fatigue or dehydration.
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. Times here assume a very sustained pace and a light (~8 kg) pack — adjust to your own profile in the planner.
| Day | Stage | Distance | D+ | D- | Time | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calenzana → Carrozzu | 18.2 km | +2,000 m | -1,020 m | 7h14 | 5/5 |
| 2 | Carrozzu → Bergeries d'U Vallone | 14.3 km | +1,920 m | -1,690 m | 6h36 | 5/5 |
| 3 | Bergeries d'U Vallone → Bergeries de Vaccaghja | 28.0 km | +1,290 m | -1,150 m | 7h45 | 5/5 |
| 4 | Bergeries de Vaccaghja → Onda | 20.3 km | +1,290 m | -1,470 m | 6h28 | 5/5 |
| 5 | Onda → E Capannelle | 24.0 km | +1,590 m | -1,380 m | 7h39 | 5/5 |
| 6 | E Capannelle → Usciolu | 28.5 km | +1,480 m | -1,340 m | 8h14 | 5/5 |
| 7 | Usciolu → Asinau | 20.8 km | +870 m | -1,070 m | 5h40 | 5/5 |
| 8 | Asinau → Conca | 28.3 km | +720 m | -2,010 m | 7h04 | 5/5 |
| Total | 8 stages | 182.4 km | +11,220 m | -11,250 m | 56h42 |
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, 7 days stand out for their length or elevation gain. Plan an early start, carry water and keep some margin for a rough patch.
Calenzana → Carrozzu
18.2 km, +2,000 m of gain, ~7h14 walking. Start early, don't rush it.
Carrozzu → Bergeries d'U Vallone
14.3 km, +1,920 m of gain, ~6h36 walking. An early start is strongly advised.
Bergeries d'U Vallone → Bergeries de Vaccaghja
28.0 km, +1,290 m of gain, ~7h45 walking. Leave early and keep some margin.
Bergeries de Vaccaghja → Onda
20.3 km, +1,290 m of gain, ~6h28 walking. Big day: get going at first light.
Onda → E Capannelle
24.0 km, +1,590 m of gain, ~7h39 walking. Long stage: don't linger at the start.
E Capannelle → Usciolu
28.5 km, +1,480 m of gain, ~8h14 walking. Start early, don't rush it.
Asinau → Conca
28.3 km, +720 m of gain, ~7h04 walking. An early start is strongly advised.
Accommodation
Where to sleep on this route
The 7 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 Carrozzu 1262 m
- Night 2 Bergeries d'U Vallone 1454 m
- Night 3 Bergeries de Vaccaghja 1589 m
- Night 4 Onda 1400 m
- Night 5 E Capannelle 1617 m
- Night 6 Usciolu 1750 m
- Night 7 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
Rule it out without hesitation: this pace is dangerous for a first mountain traverse.
Regular hiker
Even well prepared, eight very hard days back to back is beyond this format. Pick a longer one.
Very fit hiker
Doable with a real mountain base and the habit of long, technical days.
Trail runner / seasoned mountaineer
The profile this split is built for: fast, committing, with no dead time.
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