JUSI ADVENTURES
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Planning our journey on the GR20

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This trail was on our bucket list for 10 years, once we decided to move forward with the detailed planning process our approach was systematic. This page offers a sneak peek at the detailed itinerary and preparation required to complete the GR20 (Grande Randonnées no.20). 
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    • Trail Knowledge
    • Removing Obstacle
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      • Thru-Hiking Clothing
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      • The 24 Hour Challenge (2023) >
        • 24 Challenge Pre-Trip Details
      • Why Walk?
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      • Nutritional Fundamentals
      • Menu Planning
      • Dehydrating Your Meals
      • Favorite Meals
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    • The GR20 - Crossing the Corsican Alps >
      • GR20 Planning
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Trail Knowledge

Planning for the GR20 was relatively simple. There were several guidebooks available. We looked at a many videos and read (a lot of) travel blogs from other hikers to get a sense of the trail.
No specific itinerary was needed as we would (and kind of have to) follow the guidebook’s recommendations. Every hiker must follow the alpine hostel itinerary which is set for a good trekking pace. It may appear to be low kilometers per day - but please keep in mind that this is a very challenging scrambling route - no climbing equipment is required but it is not for the faint of heart!
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Julie navigating one of many tricky sections on the 'Cirque de la Solitude'
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Removing Obstacles

Financial:
  • Depending on where you live, travel expenses will include airfare, trains and buses or taxis.
  • We flew into Paris, took a train from the Lyon station to Marseille. From there, we booked (ahead of time) a berth on the overnight ferry to Corsica.
  • The ferry arrived at Ile Rousse, Corsica, early in the morning. A bus drove us to Calenzana, the town where the GR20 takes off into the hills.
  • Lodging(or camping) in the gites, communal meals, and groceries along the way require cash.
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​Time Commitment:
  • The GR20 will take about 12-15 days to accomplish.
  • The hiking season is May to late September, July and August being the hottest and busiest months.
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Health and Fitness:
  • The GR20 traverses the mountainous spine of Corsica (North to South). Expect to climb and descend hundreds of meters daily on rough terrain. A good fitness base is required to minimise muscle soreness and injuries on the trail.
  • No inoculations are needed to travel to Fance and Corsica.

Skills:
  • This trail is a well marked trail. There are some steep sections and some rock scrambling as well. Having good hiking skills and experience walking on technical terrain is very useful.
  • Backcountry camping skills are important only if you plan on camping. But the ‘leave no trace ‘practices and water/sanitation management techniques are a must as the environment is fragile and many visitors visit the area yearly. Do your part in keeping it pristine.
  • Corsicans speak French. Understanding and speaking French is a must when travelling on the island.
  • Having a bit of first aid knowledge may be useful. The year we hiked this trail a few unfortunate individuals fell and injured themselves. We were able to help prior to seeing them being evacuated by donkey.​
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Equipment

On the GR20, we chose to bring our tent and sleep system and stay clear of the Gites. We had read that the bedbugs were an issue during the season of 2011. The gite hosts allowed us to camp (for a fee) near the lodges.

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There is additional information in our 'Equipment Section'.
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We chose not to stay in the hostels (gites) - ! bedbugs !
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Nutrition

The Gites’ hosts provided a copious evening meal and sold foodstuffs for breakfast and lunch. It was a bit pricy as most of the supplies were brought to the gites by horse back or donkey train.
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Our menu consisted of bread and cheese for breakfast, mixed nuts, sausage and apples for lunch and the typical Corsican stew of sheep or boar with beans, potatoes, and onions. A soup and desert were served along with this satisfying meal.
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Vegetarians be forewarned that there was no vegetarian version of the stew.
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The animals are free - the trekkers are fenced - for our protection!!
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HealTH & Fitness


This was a challenging trek. Our winter fitness program built a good base. But as the new year came about, we started increasing our workouts.
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For detailed information on our exercise routines check out our 'Exercise' page.
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End of day rest!
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Not a trek for novices!

Home Page

​  About JuSi Adventures

Sharing Our Adventures

​The Trans Canada Trail 
​The GR20
​Annapurna Circuit
​Camino Frances
​Camino Le Puy en Velay
The Arizona National Scenic Trail​
The Rideau Trail
The Great Divide Trail

Planning Our Adventures

Trail Choice
Trail Knowledge
Removing Obstacles
Equipment
​Health and Fitness
Nutrition

The Art & Science of Thru-Hiking

​Contact Us

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Planning Our Adventures
    • Trail Choice
    • Trail Knowledge
    • Removing Obstacle
    • Equipment >
      • Base Weight
      • Thru-Hiking Clothing
    • Health and Fitness >
      • The 24 Hour Challenge (2023) >
        • 24 Challenge Pre-Trip Details
      • Why Walk?
      • Favorite Exercises
      • The Art & Science Of Walking
    • Nutrition >
      • Nutritional Fundamentals
      • Menu Planning
      • Dehydrating Your Meals
      • Favorite Meals
  • Sharing Our Adventures
    • The Trans Canada Trail >
      • TCT Planning
      • JUSI TCT Blog
    • The Rideau Trail >
      • Rideau Trail Planning
    • The GR10 - The Pyrénées >
      • The GR10 - Planning
      • GR10 - Les Pyrénées-Orientales
      • Walking Along the Canal du Midi
      • GR10 - Les Pyrénées-Atlantiques
    • The GR20 - Crossing the Corsican Alps >
      • GR20 Planning
    • Annapurna - Poon Hill Circuit >
      • Ghoripani Trail Planning
    • Camino Frances >
      • Camino Frances Planning
      • Camino Frances Journey >
        • Camino Frances Planning Blog
        • Camino Frances Part 1 Blog
        • Camino Frances Stage 2 Blog
        • Camino Frances Part 3 Blog
        • Camino Frances Post Mortem
    • Camino Le Puy en Velay >
      • Camino Le Puy Planning
    • The Arizona National Scenic Trail >
      • AZT Planning
      • Arizona Journey >
        • AZT Pre-Trip Blog
        • AZT Journey - Stage 1
        • AZT Journey - Stage 2
        • AZT Journey - Stage 3
        • AZT Journey - Post Mortem
    • The Great Divide Trail >
      • GDT Planning
      • GDT 2022 Pre Trail Blog
      • GDT Section A Blog
      • GDT Section B Blog
      • GDT Section C & D Blog
      • GDT Section E Blog
  • About
  • Contact Us