This stage of the GR20 starts very strong, with the ascent of the Pointe de Capitello, a dangerous and feared passage of the GR20. A magnificent stopover up to Petra Piana on the ridges!
| From Manganu to the Petra Piana refuge | From the Petra Piana refuge to Manganu |
| GR20 North > South (stage 7) | GR20 South > North (stage 10) |
| 8.5 km | 830 m D | 600 m D – | 8.5 km | 600 m D | 830 m D – |
| GPX trail for the North > South stage | GPX trail 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: Capitallo spit | Rinoso pass | Punta Muzzella | Rinoso lake | View of Capitello and Mélo lakes | |
| Highest point: 2200 m (Capitello spur) | Lowest point: 1601 m(Manganu refuge) | |
| Sources: xxx (km5) | xxxx (km8) | |
| Accommodation and food: Petra Piana refuge | Melo sheepfold | Grottelle sheepfold | |
| IGN map: Consult here | Download all GR20 maps | |
| Next stage NS: from Petra Piana to Onda | Following stage SN: from Manganu to Ciottulu di i Mori |
| Previous stage NS: from Ciottulu di i Mori to Manganu | Previous stage SN: from Onda to Petra Piana |
Stage 7 of the GR20 North > South | Manganu > Petra Piana
Here’s the profile of the stage between Manganu and Petra Piana: it’s a fairly technical stage in the first part!
Printable summary and topo of stage 7 of the GR20 North South
1 – From the Refuge de Manganu, head south as far as the Source de la Cascade de Filiccioni. Once you’ve passed the waterfall, continue climbing eastwards along the Ruisseau de Filiccioni until you reach the Bocca alle Porte at an altitude of 2,225 metres. Along the way, you can admire the Punta di l’Arinella on your right and then catch a glimpse of the Crête de Rinella.
2 – Once you reach the Bocca Alle Porte, the Brèche de Sorbo and the Pointe des Sept Lacs are on your left. You will then start to cross the Punta Alle Porte terrain around 3 km from the start of the stage. Passing through the Brèche de Capitello (2,073 m above sea level), you will see Lake Capitellu and Lake Melo on your left.
3 – Continuing south-eastwards, you will come to the Bocca a Soglia at an altitude of 2,053 metres, passing through the Monte Ritondu Massif Nature Reserve.
4 – From here, head north-east to reach the Col de Rinoso at an altitude of 2,170 metres, then the Punta Muzzella terrain with the Bocca Muzzella at an altitude of 2,206 metres. You will then begin a 300 metre climb downhill to the Petra Piana Refuge (1,842 metres above sea level).
The story of stage 7 with photos and IGN maps
Another alpine stage awaits you as soon as you leave the Manganu refuge!
The stage starts with an ascending profile from the Manganu refuge, towards the two neighbouring lakes of Mélo and Capitello.
600 metres of ascent over less than 3 kilometres is an excellent percentage to warm up the thighs, and that’s what awaits you at the start of Manganu on the way to the Breche de Capitello. This is considered to be a technical section of the GR20, but in reality, like all slightly dangerous sections, you need to be patient and calm!
But you’ll get there! From here, you’ll have a splendid view of the two high-altitude lakes of Mélo and Capitello. Take your time to admire the scenery: from here, the lakes are within easy reach and seem to be touching, but they’re not.
From the brèche to Bocca Alle Porte, a path takes you to the Lac de Mélo and back to the road (D623) with the Bergerie de Melo and the Bergerie de Grottelle!
Back to the GR20 and the Manganu > Petra Piana stage! Continuing past the Capitello gap, you’ll find yourself on a ridge, with some fairly challenging sections and a number of features to help you along (ladders, chains). A fairly tight zig-zag path will take you to the Rinoso pass (2170m) and then to Punta Muzzela. From here, a descent through the rocks takes you halfway down the slope to the Petra Piana 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
A few photos of the accommodation:
Videos of the terrain between Manganu and Petra Piana:
This video summarises part of the stage between Manganu and Petra Piana, enjoy the beautiful images put online by “GR20 I had a dream”. In reality, the reporter started from the sheepfolds (not Manganu), which is practically the same thing in terms of distance.
Stage 10 of the GR20 South > North | Manganu > Petra Piana
Here is the profile of the stage between Petra Piana and Manganu:
Printable summary of the topo for stage 10 of the GR20 South North
1 – Start from the Petra Piana Refuge at an altitude of 1,842 metres and head north-west with a 300-metre climb to reach the Bocca Muzzella (at an altitude of 2,206 metres) and the Punta Muzzella area.
2 – Then head for the Col de Rinoso (2,170 metres above sea level). From here, admire the Grand Lac de Rinoso on your right. Head south-west again to reach the Bocca a Soglia (2,053 metres above sea level), passing through the Monte Ritondu Massif Nature Reserve.
3 – Continue north-west through the Punta Alle Porte area. You will pass through the Brèche de Capitello (at an altitude of 2,073 metres), where you will see Lake Capitellu and Lake Melo on your right.
4 – Once you reach the Bocca alle Porte, at an altitude of 2,225 metres and 5.6 kilometres, you will see the Brèche de Sorbo and the Pointe des Sept Lacs on your right. Head west along the Ruisseau de Filiccioni to reach the Source de la Cascade de Filiccioni, then continue north to the Refuge de Manganu at an altitude of 1,600 metres.
IGN map between Manganu and Petra Piana
Here is the IGN map of stage 7 of the GR20 between Manganu and Petra Piana, which corresponds to stage 10 of the GR20 South > North. Go to this page to download all the IGN maps of the GR20.
