The GR 20 long-distance hiking trail is the sporty classic among the French long-distance hiking trails: it leads from north to south across the island of Corsica and crosses the Corsican high mountains, which consist of 50 two-thousand-meter peaks. Accordingly, the GR 20 is a difficult, high-alpine long-distance hiking trail that can only be tackled with extremely good condition, careful planning and good equipment!

Most of the route runs between 1.300 and 2.600 meters above sea level and far from civilization. Hotels and pensions are almost exclusively along the coast in Corsica, but not in the high mountains. Whoever is traveling on the GR 20 is therefore generally dependent on the simple shelters (French: "Refuge"), which are operated by the PNRC ("Parc naturel régional de Corse") and for which a hut sleeping bag is mandatory. Alternatively, you can rent a tent in the huts or use bivouacs.

Because of the spartan accommodations, the GR 20 does not really fit our motto "hiking deluxe". But it is one of the most spectacular island crossings in the Mediterranean, which is why it should not be missing from our list. If you are reluctant to give up your own room, a warm shower and a good dinner on vacation, you should browse through our remaining collection of Mediterranean long-distance hiking trails: see Top 5 long distance hiking trails.

The entire long-distance hike is available in a three-dimensional view at Ayvri.com. This can be very helpful when planning a long-distance hike. The preview is interactive: the camera perspective can be adjusted at any time using drag & drop. The speed of the preview can also be set variably.

(Click on the picture to open the 3D simulation on Ayvri.com)

• National Park PNRC (French): www.pnr.corsica
• Hut reservation (French): pnr-resa.corsica
• Stage description (German): www.abventure-gr20.de