Official GR20 stage · 8/16
Stage 8: Petra Piana → Onda
From Petra Piana and its open viewpoint, the trail drops down toward l'Onda, the last stage before the crossing to Vizzavona that splits the GR20 in two.
Essentials
The essentials
Key facts
- Distance · 9.8 km
- Elevation gain · +436 m
- Elevation loss · -894 m
- Max altitude · 1,857 m
- Difficulty · Moderate (3/5)
- Estimated walking time · 3h – 4h40
- On the trail · Stage 8 / 16
Download this stage's GPX
Official OpenStreetMap track, snapped to the PNRC refuges.
On the ground
On the ground
From Petra Piana, two options branch off: the airy, panoramic ridge variant, or the normal route through the valley floor, chosen depending on weather and form — this section belongs to the same run of northern ridges and breaches as the previous stages. Elevation loss dominates this stage, with a solid descent toward l'Onda. The Onda refuge overlooks a sheep-farm set on a small green plateau below Monte d'Oro; for many hikers, it's the last night of the northern half before crossing to Vizzavona the next day.
For many, l'Onda marks the last night before Vizzavona — a symbolic border between the mineral north and the more forested south of the GR20.
Water & resupply. No dry portage flagged on this stage. Vizzavona, just after l'Onda, is the most complete resupply point at the GR20's midpoint (station shop, restaurants) — a chance for a proper restock before tackling the southern half. The Onda refuge offers hot showers, a kitchen and meals on site.
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