Practical route guide to Corsica's GR20, Europe's most challenging long distance path. Covers getting to Corsica, 32 large-scale trekking maps, 6 town plans, about Corsica from history to flora identification to tipping customs, 16 profiles showing height and average speed of climb for each stage, 'Variantes' - low to high level alternatives.

INTRODUCTION PART 1: PLANNING YOUR TREK Independently or with a group? Trekking agencies 11 Getting to Corsica From the UK and Ireland 13 - From Continental Europe 18 - From the USA and Canada 18 - From Australia and New Zealand 19 Visas 19 Budgeting 19 When to go 21 GR20: route options Trekking styles and route options 22 - North or south 23 What to take Footwear and footcare 24 - Rucksack 26 - Sleeping bag and mat 26 - Tent 27 - Clothing 27 - Cooking gear 30 - Photographic equipment 31 - Medical kit 32 - Odds and ends 32 - Recommended reading 34 - Maps 35 Mountain safety Trekking alone 37 - Mountain rescue 38 - Weather forecasts 38 Health and insurance 39 PART 2: CORSICA Facts about the island Historical outline 40 - Geology 55 - Topography 56 - Climate 58 - Flora and fauna 59 - Economy 66 - People, society and conduct 67 - Language 70 Practical information for the visitor Accommodation 70 - Local transport 73 - Eating and drinking 75 - Bills and tipping 78 - Electricity 78 - Holidays and festivals 78 - Opening hours 79 - Money 79 - Post, telephone and email 80 - Things to buy 80 - Security 81 PART 3: GATEWAY TOWNS Ajaccio What to see 83 - Orientation and services 84 - Where to stay 86 Where to eat 87 - Getting to the trailhead 87 Bastia What to see 88 - Orientation and services 89 - Where to stay 90 - Where to eat 90 - Getting to the trailhead 92 Calvi What to see 92 - Orientation and services 94 - Where to stay 97 - Where to eat 98 - Getting to Calenzana 98 Corte What to see 99 - Orientation and services 100 - Where to stay 102 - Where to eat 103 Porto-Vecchio What to see 104 - Orientation and services 105 - Where to stay 106 - Where to eat 106 PART 4: GR20 The route Calenzana 108 Stage One: Calenzana to Refuge di Ortu di u Piobbu 110 Stage Two: Ortu di u Piobbu to Carrozzu 117 Stage Three: Carrozzu to Asco Stagnu (Hauti Asco) 120 - Asco Stagnu 124 Stage Four: Asco Stagnu (Hauti Asco) to Refuge de Tighjettu to Bergeries de Vallone 126 Stage Five: Bergeries de Vallone to Ciottulu a i Mori 130 Stage Six: Ciottulu a i Mori to Castel di Verghio 132 - Castel di Verghio 134 Stage Seven: Castel di Verghio to Refuge de Manganu 136 Stage Eight: Refuge de Manganu to Refuge de Petra Piana 146 Stage Nine: Petra Piana to Onda 151 Stage Ten: Onda to Vizzavona 156 - Vizzavona 159 Stage Eleven: Vizzavona to EiCapannelle 162 - EiCapannelle 164 Stage Twelve: EiCapannelle to Bocca di Verdi (Col de Verde) 166 Stage Thirteen: Bocca di Verdi (Col de Verde) to Usciolu 172 Stage Fourteen: Usciolu to Asinau 179 Stage Fifteen: Asinau to Bavella to Paliri 189 - Bavella 192 Stage Sixteen: Paliri to Conca 194 - Conca 196 APPENDIX A: French/Corsican glossary 200 B: Useful words and phrases 201 C: Minimum impact trekking 204 INDEX 205