GR20 | OUR TRIP
Did you just decide to embark on the GR20 adventure, but you still have to figure out how to best schedule your trip? This post describes our travel itinerary and it might give you some inspiration.
Reaching the GR20
DAY 1
13.07.2022
Flight from Basel to Calvi
We catched our flight from Basel (Switzerland) to Calvi and took a taxi to Calenzana, the northern start of the GR20, where we spent one night before starting our hike. Here below you can find our choices in terms of accommodation and food.
ACCOMMODATION
We decided to stay at the camping of the Gîte municipal de Calenzana, the most popular accommodation between trekkers of the GR20, where we pitched our tent and started to familiarize with the many excited faces of fellow hikers.
FOOD
We resupplied at the supermarket in Calenzana, where we bought fuel, bread, cheese, cold cuts and water for the trail. We then of course had our dinner at the restaurant GR20, how inventive!
Hiking the GR20
DAY 2 - DAY 15
14.07.2022 - 27.07.2022
The Trail
On the 14th of July, we woke up at around 4AM, surrounded by the sound of many deflating sleeping pads. We packed our tent, had a quick breakfast and set off to start our adventure on the GR20.
We then experienced an epic journey on the trail, which we hiked in 14 days. You can find further tips about the GR20 stages in the post OUR STAGES.
On the 27th of July we arrived in Conca, the official end of the GR20. After spending some time at the bar, chatting with our trail friends, we were offered a ride to Porto Vecchio, where a nice and cozy hotel bedroom was waiting for us.
Visiting Corsica
DAY 16 - DAY 17
28.07.2022 - 29.07.2022
Relax at the Beaches
We spent two full days (3 nights) in the South of Corsica and we took the chance to visit some of its stunning beaches. Here below you can find our choices in terms of accommodations, activities, food and means of transport.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We spent two nights in Porto Vecchio, at the Hotel Alcyon, which we found very nice, especially after spending two weeks on trail. For our third night, we decided to move towards Bonifacio, and found an amazing B&B, Marina di Cavu. This was a perfect and quiet place that we highly recommend if you are looking forward to relaxing at the pool. There was also a nice and not crowded beach at walking distance.
ACTIVITIES
We spent our time in the South of Corsica to relax. Of all the beaches we visited, we can highly recommend Plage de Saint Antoine, situated close to Bonifacio and only reached by foot. It was indeed a spectacular location and it was not overcrowded by tourists. Plage de Cala Longa was also a super nice and quiet beach, close to our accommodation Marina di Cavu.
In the evening, we visited both Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio. We really enjoyed walking in the narrow streets of Porto Vecchio, surrounded by life and music. Bonifacio is also a unique place worth visiting, as the village is located on top of extraordinary cliffs.
FOOD
In Porto Vecchio, we highly recommend to taste the crêpes at Shirley’s Bar. Moreover, if you like beer, head to the Bar a Biere Corse. They have a broad selection of craft beer from Corsica for you to discover! In Bonifacio, we enjoyed a very good dinner at La Loggia. Their “spaghetti alle vongole” were the best I’ve ever had.
MEANS OF TRANSPORT
We decided to rent a car in Porto Vecchio through EuropCar, which we then returned at the Calvi Airport at the end of our trip. It was an expensive choice, but it allowed us to visit the South of Corsica with more freedom and flexibility.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
A hiker we met on the GR20 advised us to spend our post-trail time at the Camping Fautea, which is easily reached from Conca. On our last day on the island, we drove by this amazing location, and wished we had listened to him. It is a spectacular camping located right by the sea, a perfect place to relax after the GR20 in a cheaper way, while still enjoying nature.
Coming Home
DAY 18
30.07.2022
Flight from Calvi to Basel
Our trip came to an end way too quickly. As we drove across the island for catching our flight home from Calvi, we constantly gazed at the grand mountains of Corsica, trying to recognize them, and realizing how lucky we were to have lived such an epic adventure.