Northern half
GR20 North in 7 days: from Calenzana to Vizzavona
The GR20 North, from Calenzana to Vizzavona, concentrates what the trail does most spectacularly: high mountains, ridges, slabs and technical passages. In 7 days you cover the most demanding and most legendary half of the GR20 without having to do the whole thing.
The pace
Why hike the North?
It's the most alpine and most striking part of the GR20: the Pointe des Éboulis below Monte Cinto (which replaced the old Cirque de la Solitude, closed since the 2015 rockfall), the Melo and Capitello lakes. Perfect to discover the GR20 in a week, or if the south doesn't fit your schedule.
What the north demands
Sure footing, the habit of using your hands on rock and good management of exposure. It's technically the harder half.
What the north gives
The strongest scenery on the GR20, condensed into a week. Many consider it the most beautiful, even if the south has its own character.
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 → Tighjettu | 8.3 km | +1,160 m | -920 m | 4h27 | 4/5 |
| 4 | Tighjettu → Castel de Vergio | 14.8 km | +710 m | -960 m | 4h52 | 4/5 |
| 5 | Castel de Vergio → Manganu | 16.4 km | +630 m | -430 m | 4h50 | 4/5 |
| 6 | Manganu → Onda | 18.3 km | +1,250 m | -1,430 m | 6h53 | 5/5 |
| 7 | Onda → Vizzavona | 10.2 km | +650 m | -1,120 m | 3h52 | 3/5 |
| Total | 7 stages | 91.0 km | +7,160 m | -6,440 m | 35h54 |
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 91.0 km.
Watch out
The demanding days
On this split, one day stands out for its length or elevation gain. Plan an early start, carry water and keep some margin for a rough patch.
Manganu → Onda
18.3 km, +1,250 m of gain, ~6h53 walking. Start early and don't rush it.
Accommodation
Where to sleep on this route
The 6 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 Tighjettu 1679 m
- Night 4 Castel de Vergio 1408 m
- Night 5 Manganu 1589 m
- Night 6 Onda 1400 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.
Complete beginner
The technical ground of the north already calls for experience.
Fit hiker
Accessible with good preparation for mountain walking.
Hiker comfortable on rock
The ideal profile to savour the technical section.
Short on time
The best way to taste the GR20 in a single week.
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