You’re almost there, and here we’re going to tell you about this stage of the GR20 number 15 between Asinau and Paliri! On this stage, you’ll have two options : north-south or south-north, which means taking the Bavella route, which is more demanding and more technical !
| From Asinau to the Paliri refuge | From the Paliri refuge to Asinau |
| GR20 North > South (stage 15) | GR20 South > North (stage 2) |
| 15 km | 600 m D | 1100 m D – | 15 km | 1100 m D | 600 m D – |
| GPX trail for the North > South stage | GPX track for the South > North stage |
| Download PDF topo | Download PDF topo |
| See details of the North > South stage | See details of the South > North stage |
| Points of interest: Aiguilles de Bavella | Col de Bavella | Force Finosa (viewpoint over the Gulf of Porto Vecchio and the Aiguilles) | 2 restaurants and hotels and Col de Bavella | |
| Highest point: 1530 m (Refuge d’Asinau) | Lowest point: 1040 m (Source de Futana) | |
| Springs: xxx (km5) | xxxx (km8) | |
| Accommodation and food: Auberge du Col de Bavella | Gîte Les Aiguilles | Refuge d’I Paliri | Refuge d’Asinau | |
| IGN map : Consult here | Download all the GR20 maps | |
| Following stage NS: from I Paliri to Conca | Next stage SN: from Asinau to Matalza |
| Previous stage NS: from Matalza to Asinau | Previous stage SN: from Conca to I Paliri |
Stage 15 of the GR20 North > South | Asinau > Paliri
Here is the profile of the stage between the Asinau refuge and the Paliri refuge : this is the classic version without the variant.
Printable summary and topo of stage 15 of the GR20 North South
1 – This 15th stage of the GR20 will be a succession of ascents and descents. Starting from the Refuge d’Asinau, you will cover 7 kilometres with a negative altitude difference of 500 metres, and there are many attractive viewpoints along the way. First, head south until you cross the Ruisseau d’Asinao and the Ravin de Gialghiccia. Follow the Crête de Castellucciu and enter the Vallée de Pineta. On your left, you should have a fine view of the Bocca di Maro and the Punta di Maro.
2 – Shortly after the3rd kilometre, you’ll come to the Ravin des Fourches d’Asinao (Asinao Forks Ravine ) and have a whole host of remarkable points on your left: Punta Locca, Bocca di u Santu, Punta Alta, Punta Longa.
3 – Continuing southwards, you will pass through the Ravin de Pargulu and, still on your left, you will be able to admire the Punta di u Pargulu, the Puntali di Pampalonu, the Bocca di u Pargulu, the Punta di Vacca and, of course, the Aiguilles de Bavella.
4 – Continue along the Crête du Pargulu, heading south as far as the Vallée d’Arbosa. Then turn east at around kilometre 7. You have reached the lowest point of the stage, at 1,030 metres. Cross several streams until you see Punta di l’Arjettu and Punta di l’Acellu on your left.
5 – From the 9th kilometre onwards, you will begin to climb in altitude, heading north-east until you reach the Col de Bavella, followed by the Village de Bavella at the 11th kilometre, at an altitude of more than 1,200 metres.
6 – The final stretch of the route heads south-east, with a slight descent, then an ascent, then a descent again. Walk as far as Punta Aracale at 1,300 metres and Foce Finosa at 1,206 metres. In between, you will see Punta Ciaccianu and Punta Caletta on your right.
7 – Skirting the Punta Tafunata ridge, with Punta Tafunata di i Paliri and Punta Chjiapponu on your left, you will arrive at the Refuge d’i Paliri at an altitude of 1,055 metres. From the Refuge, don’t miss the view of the Punta di i Paliri.
Reports and tips for stage 15 of the GR20 North > South
This is another stage where hikers have a choice: take the classic GR20 path, which is fairly flat to get around the Bavella massif, or take the alpine variant of the Aiguilles de Bavella, which is shorter but very, very technical! Here’s an overview of this key stage of the GR20.
Note that as you leave the Asinau refuge, there is a fork on your right leading to Quenza, and the Mare a Mare sud. For hikers on the GR20, whether or not you have chosen the alternative route, the stage is the same for 2 km as far as the Fourches d’Asinau ravine. A junction on your left leads up to the Aiguilles de Bavella (Alpine variant) and straight on is the classic GR20
The 2 options on this stage of the GR20 :
- The classic GR20: the stage is fairly flat, running along the side of the Asinau valley and then through the forest on a path that is both easy and shady. Only the final section before reaching the Col de Bavella is a little technical
- The Alpine variant is for experienced hikers only! As you’ll see on the IGN map below, the climb is very steep and some sections can be likened to a Via Ferrata! The views are magnificent! You’ll rejoin the main path just before the Col de Bavella.
There’s achange of scenery at Bavella: there’s a road! And roads mean tourists, restaurants and crowds! If she could talk, Notre Dame des Neiges, a statue erected by the side of the D268, wouldn’t say otherwise!
From Bavella all the way to Conca, you’ll be walking in a new setting, with a “Jurassic Park” atmosphere 🙂 The path is not as difficult and the tracks are wider, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of the area: dense vegetation, coniferous forest and magnificent rocks combine to create a picture-postcard setting, particularly at the end of the stage towards Force Finosa.
Warning: the GR20 is a trail with high mountain sections, so don’t take this hike lightly: use appropriate hiking equipment for the GR20, be at least reasonably trained and don’t set off without IGN maps or the Topoguide
Videos of the terrain between Asinau and Paliri:
This video summarises the stage from Matalza to Asinau. The author didn’t stop at Asinau, he went as far as the Col de Bavella: video uploaded by “GR20 I had a dream”.
Stage 2 of the GR20 South > North | Paliri > Asinau
Here is the profile of the stage between Asinau and Paliri:
Printable summary of the topo for stage 2 of the GR20 South North
1 – This 2nd stage of the GR20 South North will be a succession of climbs and descents. Starting from the Refuge d’i Paliri at an altitude of 1,055 metres. First, head west along the Punta Tafunata ridge, with Punta Tafunata di i Paliri and Punta Chjiapponu on your right.
2 – Once you reach Foce Finosa at an altitude of 1,206 metres, you can admire Punta Ciaccianu and Punta Caletta on your left, before continuing downhill until you reach Punta Aracale at an altitude of 1,300 metres.
3 – Continue north-westwards with a slight climb until you reach the village of Bavella at the 4th kilometre, at an altitude of more than 1,200 metres. On leaving the village, you will reach the Col de Bavella and cross several streams through the Vallée d’Arbosa. Don’t forget to take in all the wonderful scenery all around you, especially to your right with the various Punta.
4 – After a few forks in the road, you’ll start to climb before the 9th kilometre of the stage, for a total difference in altitude of 500 metres. Climb northwards and look out for the beautiful panorama on your right: the Punta di l’Arjettu, the Aiguilles de Bavella, the Punta di a Vacca, the Punta di u Pargulu, the Punta Longa, the Punta Alta… Then cross theRavin des Fourches d’Asinao shortly after the 12th kilometre.
5 – Run parallel to the Ruisseau d’Asinao and the Punta and Bocca di Maro until you reach the crossroads of the Ruisseau at around 14.3 kilometres. You are now just a few steps from the Refuge d’Asinau and the Bergerie of the same name, at an altitude of between 1,462 and 1,536 metres.
IGN map between Asinau and Paliri
Here is the IGN map of stage 15 of the GR20 between the Asinau refuge and the I Paliri refuge, which corresponds to stage 2 of the GR20 South > North. Go to this page to download all the IGN maps of the GR20.. Move your mouse over the map to zoom in.
