Stage 6 of the GR20

This is the longest stage of the GR20, but not the most difficult! With its approximately 25 km, it will allow you to enjoy a long day of walking between the lake and Pozzines!

From Ciottulu di i Mori to the Manganu refuge	From the Manganu refuge to Ciottulu di i Mori
GR20 North > South (stage 6)	GR20 South > North (stage 11)
24 km | 920 m D | 1350 m D –	24 km | 1350 m D | 920 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
Highlight: Bocca San Pedru | Col de Vergio
Highest point: 2000 m | Lowest point: 1350 m
Sources: xxx (km5) | xxxx (km8)
Accommodation and food: Manganu refuge | Radule sheepfolds | Vaccaghia sheepfolds | Ciottulu di i Mori refuge | Castel di Vergio refuge | Castel di Vergio hotel
IGN map: Consult here | Download all GR20 maps
Following stage NS: from Manganu to Petra Piana	Following stage SN: from Ciottulu di i Mori to Tighettu
Previous stage NS: from Tighettu to Ciottulu di i Mori	Previous stage SN: from Petra Piana to Manganu

Stage 6 of the GR20 North > South | Ciottulu di i Mori > Manganu

Here’s the profile of the stage between Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu: be careful, this is the longest stage of the GR20!

Printable summary and topo of stage 6 of the GR20 North South

1 – Over 2 kilometres, you will begin a descent with a difference in altitude of almost 300 metres. Starting from the Ciuttulu di i Mori refuge, you can head west along the Capu Tafunatu ridge , then south and east to catch up with the Golo torrent. Behind you, you should see the Source de Balanina and the remains of the Bergerie de Tula.

2 – You’ll be able to follow the Golo river as you begin a 300-metre downhill climb that will take you close to the Cascade de Radule and a few metres further on to the Bergerie de Radule at an altitude of 1,400 metres. You will have skirted the Furmicuccia ridge during this route.

3 – You will enter the Valdu Niellu biological reserve after covering 5.5 km from the start. Keep heading due south. The Ruisseau de Catalmalzi will cross your path, but it won’t be until you reach the junction with the Ruisseau de Ciattarinu that you will be able to see the Col de Vergio on your right, at an altitude of 1,470 metres.

4 – As you continue eastwards, you’ll come across the stage lodge: Castellu di Vergio. Continue southwards across the Scupertu ridge, where you can see the Bocca a Manuella and the Capu a Rughia on your right.

5 – The whole of the Valdu Niellu crossing will take place at an altitude of less than 1,400 metres before reaching the Ruisseau de San Petru and then the Bocca San Pedru, at 1,450 metres, which is the starting point for the ascent of this stage.

a further 6 – 400 metres of ascent awaits you, heading south-east until you reach the Bocca a Reta at an altitude of around 1,880 metres. You’ll reach it around the 16.5 km mark. On your left, you can see Capu a u Tozzu at an altitude of 2,007 metres. Another kilometre to the east and you’ll reach Lake Nino with its fountain of the same name.

7 – The last part of this route begins with a gentle descent over the last 6 kilometres. On the way, admire the pozzines on your left, then head south to reach the Bergeries de Vaccaghia at an altitude of around 1,590 metres.

8 – You will reach the Bocca d’Acqua Ciarnente at an altitude of 1,570 metres, after passing the Pianu di Campotile. You have less than a kilometre to go to finish this long 24 km stage at the Refuge de Manganu at an altitude of 1,600 metres.

The stage report for stage 6 with IGN maps and photos

You’re about to embark on thelongest stage of the GR20 in terms of kilometres (24 km), but perhaps not in terms of time (around 8 hours of walking). This stage is really different from the one you’ve just done on the GR20 North. From the halfway point onwards, you’ll have a large section of less rugged walking than usual!

From the Ciottulu di i Mori hut, start by descending into the Golu valley before reaching the Radule sheepfolds. Let the path go off to your right towards the Col de Vergio, the Mare a Mare Nord. Your path is the one on the left, towards the Castellu di Vergio stopover gîte: this is one of the few roads you will come across on the GR20 (the D84). You will then climb up to Bocca San Pedru on a path with tight twists and turns.

Don’t take the plunge straight away, but let the ridge guide you around Capu à U Tozzu on its western side, then descend to the washhouse at Lac de Nino (1760 m).

You’ve done the hardest part of the day, now it’s a long walk through the pozzines that will take you to the Vaccaghia sheepfolds at the far end of the lake and then to the doors of the Manganu refuge

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

Some photos of the accommodation:

Videos of the terrain between Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu:

This video summarises part of the stage between Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu, enjoy the beautiful images put online by “GR20 I had a dream”. In reality, the reporter set off from Castello di Verghio (not Ciottulu) and will take his evening break at the sheepfolds (not Manganu), another possibility for a better distribution of the two stages.

Another video, from Julien who stopped off at the Vaccaghia sheepfold. His interview here.

Stage 11 of the GR20 South > North | Ciottulu di i Mori > Manganu

Here’s the profile of the stage between Manganu and Ciottulu di i Mori: be careful, this is the longest stage of the GR20!

Printable summary of the topo stage 11 of the GR20 South North

1 – You will start your stage with a step-by-step ascent over 8 kilometres and 300 metres of ascent in total. Start from the Manganu Refuge at an altitude of 1,600 metres, heading north as far as the Bocca d’Acqua Ciarnente, then passing the Pianu di Campotile.

2 – Continue north through the Bergeries de Vaccaghia at an altitude of around 1,590 metres, before heading north-west and then west as far as Lac de Nino. On the way, admire the pozzines on your right.

3 – Still heading west, you’ll reach the highest point of the stage, the Bocca a Reta, at an altitude of 1,880 metres. From here, admire the surrounding landscape, with the Bocca à Stazzone and Capu a u Tozzu on your right.

4 – From here, you begin a steep descent with a 500 metre drop over around 4 kilometres. Heading north-west, reach the Bocca San Pedru around the 11.5 km mark of this stage. Along the way,U Tritore will be on your left.

5 – Head north, where you will stagnate at an altitude of less than 1,400 metres as you pass through the Valdu Niellu. Continue northwards over the Scupertu ridge, where you can see the Bocca a Manuella and then the Capu a Rughia on your left. You’ll finally arrive at the Castellu di Vergio stopover gîte before the 16 km stage.

6 – From here, you can see the Col de Vergio at an altitude of 1,470 metres on your left as you reach the junction with the Ruisseau de Ciattarinu. You will then cross the Ruisseau de Catalmalzi and enter the Valduniellu biological reserve, only to emerge a kilometre further on.

7 – On leaving the reserve, you’ll come to the Bergeries de Radule, close to the Cascade de Radule, where you can follow the River Golo northwards for 600 metres of ascent. Along the way, you’ll see some superb landmarks on your left:e Forcelle, Bocca di Guagnarola and Capu di Guagnarola.

8 – Once you have the Bergeries de Tula in front of you, turn west and then north again to reach the Refuge de Ciottlu di i Mori at an altitude of over 1,990 metres.

IGN map between Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu

Here is the IGN map of stage 6 of the GR20 between Ciottulu di i Mori and Manganu, which corresponds to stage 11 of the GR20 South > North. Go to this page to download all the IGN maps of the GR20.