Hikes in Palneca

From Refuge de Prati to Bergerie i Croci (GR 20 South)

From Vizzavona to Refuge de Prati (GR 20 South)

Scenic hut and summit tour above the Col de VerdeThe Col de Verde is one of the quietest – and at the same time most beautiful – hiking regions in Corsica. On both sides of the pass summit, we are greeted by magnificent beech and pine forests and scenic two-thousand-meter peaks. Especially beautiful and varied is the hike on the GR 20 to the Denkmalsgrat with its bizarre rock statues and the simply managed Prati hut. Strong hikers will add a detour to the Punta della Cappella – which offers a small scrambling adventure.

The GR 20 leads through breathtaking nature. Past mountain lakes, over mountain ridges with views extending to the sea, and with magnificent natural swimming pools along the way. In most hiking guides, the route is divided into 16 stages. This track describes the GR20 in 12 stages. The stage plan is located below the media. To walk the route, very good fitness and mountain experience are necessary.

Great tour over the Bergeries des Pozzi to the lonely Lac de Vitalacca.

From Col de Verde on a well-passable path to Bergerie de Pozzi and the Pozzini

GR20 North

If you come from Alta Rocca, Aulléne, or Zivaco and follow the D 69 northward along the central ridge of the South Corsican mountains, you’ll find yourself in a very quiet part of the island. The valley gradually gains elevation and, at the Col de Verde, reaches the passage into the basin of the Forêt de Marmano, where the main town of Ghisoni is located. The 1,268-meter-high pass also marks the crossing point for the GR 20 long-distance hiking trail, which switches to the eastern side of the mountain range here. That’s why a Gîte d’Étape has been set up here—since the pass is accessible by car and can therefore be easily supplied. We use this location, nestled in a dense pine forest, as a starting point to explore a classic mountain hut along the GR 20. The Refuge de Prati is only about a 2-hour walk from the Col de Verde and can be easily reached via a well-marked mountain trail. Once we’ve completed the main ascent, magnificent views await us of the east coast around Galeria and Ghisonaccia, as well as the southern mountain ridges. If the hike to the hut isn’t enough for you, you can also climb Punta della Capella at 2,041 meters above sea level. At Col de Verde 01, we follow the white-and-red-marked route of the GR 20, which runs slightly uphill to the right of the road along a wide forest trail. From there, the trail soon branches off to the left 02, winding its way through the forest, at times quite steeply. After 45 minutes, we reach open terrain covered with broom bushes, where the trail descends into a small valley and crosses a small stream 03. This is followed by a longer traverse with a moderate incline, before the trail becomes steeper again and winds its way through a beech-covered slope via numerous switchbacks. We reach the tree line and now face one final ascent through open terrain, which follows a slope at the upper edge of the Taravo Valley that narrows as it rises toward the ridge. Here, due to erosion, we must navigate slippery passages strewn with rocks and gravel. Once we reach the ridge, the main ascent is behind us, and we find ourselves in a bizarre mountain landscape of gentle meadows and ruggedly weathered limestone cliffs. At this saddle, a sign points us toward our destination, the Refuge de Prati. The trail, now becoming a meadow path, turns right and crosses the plateau-like terrain. With gentle ups and downs, we make our way to Bocca d’Oru 04, a rocky outcrop, and after another 10–15 minutes to Punta di u Prato 05, which is situated on a plateau sloping slightly toward the southeast. Numerous tents on the gentle meadowland surrounding the hut bear witness to the many hikers who are completing the GR 20. The hut offers a few sleeping spots, food, and various beverages; it also has several outdoor tables and a shelter equipped with a gas stove and fresh spring water. This area is also used by the horses that graze here in the summer. The return trip to the Col de Verde follows the same route. The ascent to Punta de Cappella requires a bit more mountaineering skill, as there are some exposed, rocky sections and a short climb to overcome on the final approach to the summit. On a clear day, however, the 2,041-meter-high peak offers a magnificent view of the southern part of the island. (Round trip from the hut: just under 2 hours.)

Outdoor Enthusiast Top Trails 2012The best known network of European long distance paths are the GR routes – Grande Randonnée (France)/Gran Recorrido (Spain).