From the Manganu refuge to the Onda refuge

Our seventh stage of^{the GR®20}. This route consists of two stages, the first to the Petra Piana refuge, and the second via the ridge variant.

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

Details

n°74

Creation:
18 Sep 2010

Last update:
06 Feb 2023

Last review:
27 Aug 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 14.96 km
Average duration: 7h 55
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,276 m
Descent: - 1,440 m
Highest point: 2,235 m
Lowest point: 1,425 m

Country: France
Area: Vallée de la Restonica
District: Orto (20125)
Start: N 42.219736° / E 8.980449°
End: N 42.152032° / E 9.072867°
IGN map(s): Ref. 4251OT, 4251OTR
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Description of the walk

(S) From the refuge, cross the small stream, either by fording it or using the footbridge, and head to the right (south-east), climbing slightly at first, then crossing a small rocky barrier without difficulty. You will arrive at a small plateau covered with pozzines. Continue to follow the path uphill to reach a small lake, leave it on your right and continue the ascent, which becomes increasingly steep. Pass the Bocca alle Porte.

(1) Reach the Brèche de Capitello (2,225 m).

(2) From the breach, you will have a view of the Capitello and Melo lakes below.
From here, the path is very steep and quite challenging for a few hundred metres. Descend along the ridge, following the^GR® markings, then continue along the ridge to Bocca a Soglia.

(3) From there, head to the north side, staying on the contour line before the steep climb that will take you to Col de Rinoso.

(4) Descend slightly overlooking the small lakes before climbing back up towards Bocca Muzzella (2,206 m).

(5) Descend through the scree and cross the ridge before you see the Petra Piana Refuge on a grassy plateau.

(6) Once at the Petra Piana refuge, head right and follow the alternative route along the ridges, marked in yellow. This route is not particularly difficult in clear weather and offers beautiful views. Follow the ridge almost all the way to Bocca a Meta.

(7) There, you must stay level and then climb a short but steep slope to reach a gap.
The path is fairly easy, but a long, steep descent awaits you before you reach Bocca d'Oreccia.

(8) Climb back up before descending towards the Refuge de l'Onda (E).

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 1,606 m - Refuge de Manganu
1 : km 2.93 - alt. 2,203 m - Bocca alle Porte
2 : km 3.53 - alt. 2,105 m - Brèche de Capitello
3 : km 4.38 - alt. 2,035 m - Bocca a Soglia
4 : km 5.88 - alt. 2,157 m - Col de Rinoso
5 : km 6.56 - alt. 2,204 m - Bocca Muzzella
6 : km 8.22 - alt. 1,842 m - Refuge de Petra Piana
7 : km 11.41 - alt. 1,885 m - Bocca a Meta
8 : km 14.37 - alt. 1,425 m - Bocca d'Oreccia
E : km 14.96 - alt. 1,442 m - Refuge de l'Onda

Notes

The Pietra Piana refuge is much more pleasant than the Onda refuge.
The final descent is very steep and long, making it quite challenging.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

danielfr40

27 Aug 2024 at 13:58 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The times given are 7 hours + 3½ hours.
Done over 2 days, extending to Vizzavona on the second day.
The climb in the first part is tough going on the rocks, but I really enjoyed the rest, the lakes, the chain descent
I loved the ridge section, it's my favourite part
No, the ridge section is not without difficulty. Accessing the ridge and bypassing/climbing the rocky sections requires caution, although the grassy peaks are easy to cross.

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LnR

17 Jul 2023 at 11:11 7200 • Edited: 17 Jul 2023 at 11:13 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Two stages in one day. Magnificent but difficult and technical.
It took us 11 hours to get from Manganu to Onda, including breaks, one of which was for a meal in Petra Piana.
The intense heat slowed us down considerably, particularly on the descent to Petra Piana (around 11 a.m.) and the ridge crossing, which took us 4½ hours instead of the predicted 3½. I was much slower on the technical sections because I was tired and also a bit daunted.
From Manganu to Petra Piana :
The first part, up to Bocca alle Porte, is physically demanding but without any particular technical difficulties. The landscape is spectacular and magnificent, so don't forget to look back!
The section between Bocca alle Porte and the Rinoso pass is really technical. One section is secured, but that's all, and you have to use your hands on numerous occasions. The climb up to the pass is gruelling.
The rest of the route to Petra Piana is easier. The descent is less difficult and shorter than the one to Carruzo or Asco.
From Petra Piana to Onda :
We continued to Onda along the ridges, as there was a light north wind which cooled us down nicely on the ridges. Without it, it would have been very hard.
Contrary to the description given here, this is not an easy route, especially when you arrive from Manganu and already have a technical stage under your belt.
The first part climbs gently, but once you pass the Bocca a Meta, the descent is short but difficult and technical. The route then gives us a bit of a rest, but the climb to the last breach is also technical, with a steep climb on a smooth, fairly vertiginous wall without many handholds. A chain for safety would not be out of place here.
Next comes the long descent to Onda. There are no particular difficulties, but it is arduous and seemingly endless.
For me, this ridge variant is the stage with the most complicated technical passages of the entire GR Nord.

That said, these two stages are magnificent! The arrival at the Onda is the ultimate reward.

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bibi

21 Feb 2012 at 09:04 3600

That day was quite long, so we decided to double the stage when we arrived at the Petra Piana refuge. We had regained enough strength during the lunch break, and there were a few clouds in the sky, so it wouldn't be too hot for walking. We decided to take the ridge route because it was shorter and offered better views, as recommended by the Petra Piana refuge warden.
The start of the stage is a long climb, which at the end offers a view of two beautiful mountain lakes. A huge descent completes the route to reach the bivouac area of the Onda refuge.

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