From the Asco Stagnu refuge to the Tighiettu refuge

Fourth stage of^{the GR®20}with the Cirque de la Solitude pass. A place that leaves no one indifferent.

Please note: the facilities for descending and ascending the Cirque de la Solitude have been removed, making this a very challenging route.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: GR®20 from Calenzana to Conca in 13 days

Details

n°60

Creation:
04 Sep 2010

Last update:
08 Dec 2019

Last review:
09 Dec 2016

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.27 km
Duration according to the author: 6 hrs
Difficulty: Extremely difficult
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,062 m
Descent: - 804 m
Highest point: 2,219 m
Lowest point: 1,423 m

Country: France
District: Haute-Corse (2B)
Start: N 42.403413° / E 8.922334°
End: N 42.362193° / E 8.908812°
IGN map(s): Ref. 4149OT, 4250OT, 4250OTR
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Photos

The Cirque de la Solitude on the GR20 in Corsica

Cirque de la Solitude from the Col Perdu

Description of the walk

(S) From the refuge, head towards the downhill ski slopes. Go up the valley along the path to the left of the slopes. The path passes through the forest before coming out again and continuing across the mountain pasture. The path will take you diagonally to your left and climb a little more steeply to a small lake on a small plateau, the Lavu d'Altore(1930m).

(1) Climb up through the scree until you reach Bocca Tumasqinesca or Col Perdu (2183m).

(2) From there, you will discover the Cirque de la Solitude.
Descend to the bottom of the cirque, taking care as the path is very steep and requires some light climbing.

(3) Once you are almost at the bottom, climb up the opposite side, where a ladder allows you to hoist yourself onto a rocky outcrop.

You will come to a small plateau before reaching Bocca Minuta (2218m).

(4) Although very short on the map, this passage takes a long time, especially if there are other people around.
Once on the other side of Bocca Minuta, descend through the slabs and boulders to reach the Tighjettu refuge (1683m) on a small plateau (E).

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 1,429 m - Refuge d'Ascu Stagnu
1 : km 3.09 - alt. 1,946 m - Lavu d'Altore
2 : km 3.96 - alt. 2,186 m - Bocca Tumasqinesca
3 : km 4.38 - alt. 1,917 m - Cirque de la Solitude
4 : km 4.91 - alt. 2,219 m - Bocca Minuta
E : km 6.27 - alt. 1,687 m - Refuge Tighiettu

Notes

The Cirque de la Solitude passage is quite challenging and impressive. The descent that follows is quite steep and long. You may need to bring a rope in case of wet weather.

Worth a visit

Once at the refuge, you can cool off in the stream flowing below.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Visophi

09 Dec 2016 at 08:24 3600 • Edited: 09 Dec 2016 at 08:33 3600

Hello,

If I have read correctly, the hike took place on 9 December this year. However, when I enquired about the route, I learned that the facilities at the Cirque de la Solitude (chains and ladders) had been dismantled. Is this true?
I did this hike in 2013, travelling from north to south. The chains helped us descend the cirque, but it was the ladders that allowed us to climb out that were really useful.
Best regards

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bibi

06 Dec 2016 at 10:25 3600

Thank you for pointing that out, I have just corrected it.
Kind regards

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Carlit38

05 Dec 2016 at 09:07 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for this route!
Please note, however, that the downloaded file does not correspond exactly to what is displayed on the website. The numbering of the waypoints is off. For example, on the PDF file, Lavu d'Altore corresponds to point 1 in the list of points, but to point 2 in the description and on the map. Curiously, this anomaly does not exist on the website...
Furthermore, this famous "Lavu d'Altore" is located a little further south on my Garmin map. We'll see when we get there.
But well done for making this work available.

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bibi

21 Feb 2012 at 09:04 3600

The route begins with a fairly gentle climb, but once you reach the Cirque de la Solitude, you realise how difficult the GR20 is. It's a very impressive passage, especially when you're carrying heavy rucksacks. You often have to use your hands to climb down as well as up. We helped each other to stay safe, but didn't need to use the rope, which can be essential in wet conditions.
We were very welcome when we arrived at the refuge, and swimming in the stream below did us a world of good.

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