James Gaston

Col de Bavella

White cliffs of Bonifacio

Zonza and the GR20 8 Oct 2017 Zonza and the GR20 8 Oct 2017 Corsica, Zonza --

We like Zonza. It is a charming village set on a lush green hillside and with a number of nearby hiking trails. It has the essentials: two decent patisseries (we jokingly named one Luke's and the other Loreli's, both characters in a favorite tv show), several restaurants (though half were closed for the season), and a grocery store. I didn't see any interesting shopping but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Actually, nowhere in France did we do much shopping.

Another beautiful day weather wise. After breakfast at Luke's we drove again to the Col de Bavella to hike a bit of the GR20, the trail that runs the length of Corsica. Unlike yesterday, today's trail was a vertical rocky scramble to a high overlook. During the hike we saw a large group of student rock climbers edging their way up a granite cliff, then we saw a team of rescuers carry an injured climber to a helicopter.

After a lunch of charcuterie, a Corsican speciality, we headed back to Zonza where we did another short hike into the forest.

Walking to the patisserie in Zonza

We referred to the town's two pastry shops as Luke's and Lorelei's.

Walking to the patisserie in Zonza

We referred to the town's two pastry shops as Luke's and Lorelei's.

Walking to the patisserie in Zonza

We referred to the town's two pastry shops as Luke's and Lorelei's.

Yellow stripes mark the GR20

Every time I hike in BC I wonder why they don't mark hiking trails using paint stripes. It's simple, cheap, visible, and it works all over Europe.

Yellow stripes mark the GR20

Every time I hike in BC I wonder why they don't mark hiking trails using paint stripes. It's simple, cheap, visible, and it works all over Europe.

Yellow stripes mark the GR20

Every time I hike in BC I wonder why they don't mark hiking trails using paint stripes. It's simple, cheap, visible, and it works all over Europe.

View from the GR20

Paul hiking

Climbers scaling rock wall

Climbers close up

View from GR20 to the Col de Bavella

Paul contemplating the Aiguille de Bavella

Helicopter ambulance

The quickest way to hospital

Charcuterie, a Corsican speciality

Here we are outdoors, up in the mountains, great views, enjoying the meat-heavy local cuisine.

Charcuterie, a Corsican speciality

Here we are outdoors, up in the mountains, great views, enjoying the meat-heavy local cuisine.

Charcuterie, a Corsican speciality

Here we are outdoors, up in the mountains, great views, enjoying the meat-heavy local cuisine.

Evening hike

Col de Bavella

White cliffs of Bonifacio