Official GR20 stage · 14/16
Stage 14: A Matalza → Asinau
This stage climbs beneath the Incudine to the Asinau refuge, a pivotal point on the GR20: this is where the trail splits between the alpine Bavella variant and the standard path south.
Essentials
The essentials
Key facts
- Distance · 9.9 km
- Elevation gain · +603 m
- Elevation loss · -472 m
- Max altitude · 2,022 m
- Difficulty · Moderate (3/5)
- Estimated walking time · 3h05 – 5h
- On the trail · Stage 14 / 16
Download this stage's GPX
Official OpenStreetMap track, snapped to the PNRC refuges.
On the ground
On the ground
The terrain climbs to the stage's high point at 2022 m before dropping to Asinau at 1534 m. The refuge, destroyed by fire in March 2016 and since rebuilt, has no sleeping platforms — only bivouac or tent camping, with a sleeping bag required either way. Above all, it's a decision point: from here the next day, the GR20 splits between the alpine variant that drops into the Bavella needles (cables, scrambling) and the gentler standard route that skirts them along the western flank.
Asinau has no sleeping platforms or blankets: bring a tent or bivy setup, and a sleeping bag either way.
Water & resupply. The neighbouring Asinau sheepfold rounds out the stage's meal options as a backup. As everywhere in the south, confirm water conditions with the warden before heading out.
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