Fast pace
GR20 in 9 days: the fast itinerary, stage by stage
Nine days saves one day on the classic sporty split without yet tipping into trail running. The rhythm tightens sharply: five very hard days, a queen stage at 28.3 km and nearly 2,000 m of climbing, and no margin left if fatigue or weather get involved. It's the most accessible of the short formats, but it stays reserved for very fit hikers who are comfortable on technical ground.
The pace
Why 9 days?
It's the bridge between the classic-sporty 10-day split and the extreme formats: you cut one day, and everything else tightens. Each stage gets longer, breaks get shorter, and any off day costs you the next morning. You pick this split for the challenge and to save a day of leave, not to soak in the scenery.
What this pace demands
Serious engine, a genuinely light pack and the habit of stacking long mountain days. You need to pace your effort to the minute, plan your water ahead and turn in early, because starts are dawn-early and the margins are next to none.
What this pace gives
A full traverse wrapped up in just nine days, real sporting intensity and the pride of a committing format — provided you arrive sharp and stay honest with yourself about the fatigue piling up.
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 moderate (~11 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 | 7h22 | 5/5 |
| 2 | Carrozzu → Tighjettu | 13.2 km | +1,920 m | -1,480 m | 6h27 | 5/5 |
| 3 | Tighjettu → Castel de Vergio | 14.8 km | +710 m | -960 m | 4h20 | 4/5 |
| 4 | Castel de Vergio → Petra Piana | 24.8 km | +1,440 m | -970 m | 7h32 | 5/5 |
| 5 | Petra Piana → Vizzavona | 20.0 km | +1,090 m | -2,010 m | 6h21 | 5/5 |
| 6 | Vizzavona → Bocca di Verde | 26.7 km | +1,220 m | -880 m | 7h26 | 5/5 |
| 7 | Bocca di Verde → Usciolu | 15.6 km | +1,190 m | -730 m | 5h18 | 5/5 |
| 8 | Usciolu → Asinau | 20.8 km | +870 m | -1,070 m | 5h46 | 5/5 |
| 9 | Asinau → Conca | 28.3 km | +720 m | -2,010 m | 7h12 | 5/5 |
| Total | 9 stages | 182.4 km | +11,220 m | -11,250 m | 57h42 |
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, 5 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, ~7h22 walking. Start early, don't rush it.
Carrozzu → Tighjettu
13.2 km, +1,920 m of gain, ~6h27 walking. An early start is strongly advised.
Castel de Vergio → Petra Piana
24.8 km, +1,440 m of gain, ~7h32 walking. Leave early and keep some margin.
Vizzavona → Bocca di Verde
26.7 km, +1,220 m of gain, ~7h26 walking. Big day: get going at first light.
Asinau → Conca
28.3 km, +720 m of gain, ~7h12 walking. Long stage: don't linger at the start.
Accommodation
Where to sleep on this route
The 8 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 Tighjettu 1679 m
- Night 3 Castel de Vergio 1408 m
- Night 4 Petra Piana 1857 m
- Night 5 Vizzavona 941 m
- Night 6 Bocca di Verde 1291 m
- Night 7 Usciolu 1750 m
- Night 8 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: too long, too technical and too intense for a first traverse.
Occasional hiker
The risk of injury and dropping out from exhaustion is too high at this tight pace.
Very fit hiker
Doable with real preparation and the habit of high mountains, while staying clear-eyed about the margins.
Trail runner or seasoned mountaineer
The right profile for this fast format, at ease on long days and committing ground.
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