GR20 Gear List & Packing Guide
Corsica, France · full traverse, Calenzana to Conca
Gear research & fact-checking
The GR20 is famous as Europe's toughest waymarked trail — relentless rocky scrambling, ~12,000 m of cumulative ascent, and exposed ridges in summer heat. It's refuge-based so packs stay light, but footwear, trekking poles, sun protection, and water capacity matter far more here than on a gentler hut walk.
- Distance
- ~180 km · ~112 mi
- Elevation gain
- ~12,000 m total ascent
- Max altitude
- 2,607 m
- Typical length
- 15–16 days
- Season
- mid-Jun–Sep
- Difficulty
- technical
Permits & logistics
No permit; refuge places are booked through the Parc naturel régional de Corse online system. Plan around the mid-Jun–Sep window; this is a technical one way with rocky exposed ridges, scrambling, summer heat.
What makes the GR20 different
- ▸Trekking poles and grippy footwear — sections involve hands-on, exposed scrambling.
- ▸Sun hoodie, high-SPF, sunglasses, and a brimmed hat — long shadeless stretches.
- ▸Extra guy-lines and solid stakes — exposed sections funnel strong wind.
- ▸Extra carrying capacity (3–5 L) and a planned water schedule, not just a filter.
The gear list, matched to this trail
Shelter
The GR20 is a hut-to-hut route, so most hikers carry no tent at all — book your refuges ahead in the mid-Jun–Sep season instead.
No tent needed on the standard itinerary — a sleeping bag liner usually replaces a full sleep system.
Sleeping bag (or hut-weight quilt)
Refuges/albergues supply blankets, so many GR20 hikers carry only a light bag or liner.
Sleeping pad
Comfort and a moderate R-value are enough for the mid-Jun–Sep window on this route.
Backpack
A comfortable 50–65 L pack covers a 15–16 days self-supported trip on the GR20.
Insulation & shell
The GR20 demands sun-protective layers for long exposed stretches, a wind layer.
Water treatment
Water is scarce/spaced out on the GR20 — plan capacity for long dry stretches, not just a filter.
Stove & cooking
A standard lightweight canister stove handles the conditions on this route.
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GR20 packing FAQ
What footwear is best for the GR20?
Stiff, grippy, well-broken-in hiking shoes or boots. The trail is relentlessly rocky with hands-on scrambling sections — soft trail runners wear out fast and offer little protection on the granite.
Is water a problem on the GR20?
Yes on the hotter southern stages and long ridge sections. Carry 2–3 L capacity and top up at every refuge and reliable spring rather than assuming water between huts.
Your GR20 kit: start here
If you buy nothing else on this list, these are the three that decide whether the trip is comfortable.
Prices move with sales and season, so check the current listing rather than budgeting from an old number.