As I wrote when reviewing the Cicerone guide to cycling The Ruta Via de la Plata, I like a book that inspires me to head off for an adventure. The Cicerone guide to walking the GR20 Corsica is a reminder that I had previously been keen to complete the classic European mountain route, but then came the pandemic and somehow I lost the drive to further consider it. Now the guidebook has put it on my radar again.
More details: Cicerone guide to trekking the GR20 Corsica
The Corsica’s GR20 is one of Europe’s classic treks and said to be the most challenging of the GR long-distance routes.
The book includes information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities and a separate booklet shows the entire route on IGN 1:25,000 maps.
Places visited: Calinzana, Ascu Stagnu, Vizzavona, Conca. Detours can be made to Corti, Cuzzà and Zicavu.
Grading: The GR20 is a challenging walk involving plenty of hands-on scrambling and heads through remote mountain terrain. It is important to note that the weather conditions can be tricky and most people will want to avoid lingering snow and ice early in the season, or thunderstorms at any time. The Cicerone guide states: “The GR20 is for experienced, fit walkers prepared to carry backpacking kit.”
Must sees: Great mountain views; optional ascents of Monte Cinto and Paglia Orba; and an optional detour to the ancient mountain capital of Corti.
Buy the GR20 Corsica trekking guidebook from Cicerone for £17.95. There is a cheaper e-book version, too. (I gain a small commission for sale through this website.)
My thoughts: Cicerone guide to walking the GR20 Corsica
The guidebook is the standard Cicerone size – nice and handy – but thicker than other books. This is because as well as detailed stage-by-stage information, there is a map booklet included.
Paddy Dillon is a familiar name on Cicerone guidebooks and he has done the publishing company proud with this very comprehensive guide to walking the high-level mountain route.
There is a ton of information and it includes everything you could possibly need to know to get to Corsica and walk the route. The book itself is inspiring and I have been enjoying dipping in and out of it.
We have many bookshelves dedicated to outdoors and adventure books and I like the section for Cicerone books. These are books to be trusted because they are always so comprehensive and written by experts in their fields.
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