Corsica’s GR 20 New Record
This video captures some stunning aerial views of Corsica and narrates the record breaking race of 20 year old Kilian Jornet, who set a new record on June, 2009 by completing the grueling trail in less than 35 hours! (Corsican music in the background and English sub-titles). Kilian is a Spaniard.
The GR20 is one of the most challenging long distance trails in Europe, with positive elevation gains ranging from 1,000 to 2,600 m per day, mostly over rocks, not soft dirt paths. There are spots along the trail that require the use of chains and ropes to move forward.
Previous Record
An amazing display of super human strength and endurance, Kilian completed the legendary 200 km trail in only 32 hours, 54 minutes and 24 seconds! (The previous record was set in 2006 by Pierrot Santucci who finished the race in 36 hours 53 minutes, an amazing feat as well).
The GR20, normally takes 2 weeks to complete, if you’re an experienced hiker in top physical shape. This trail is not for amateurs.
To illustrate, just completing the 200 meter climb to lake Capitello from lake Melo shown in this photo is an introduction to rock climbing.
This photo shows the almost vertical ascent that separates the two lakes on the opposite face of the mountain. Imagine climbing 1000 meters or more in just one day!
More than two-thirds of the island of Corsica is protected by the PNRC, the Parc Naturel Regional de Corse established in 1972. The GR20 begins in the town of Calenzana near Calvi in the north and winds its way south through the interior of the island down to the village of Conca, near Porto Vecchio.
Access Points
There are several access points to the GR20 for those who just want to do sections of it. Two of the most popular ones, accessible by car, are Asco Stagnu (Haut-Asco) via the D147 road from Ponte Leccia and the mountain pass or Col de Bavella, near the village of Zonza, a spot that is frequented by tourists for its many attractions.
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Additional Information
Filed under: Hiking in Corsica
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Awesome video! That seems like an impossible trail. My hats off to Kilian.