What I Packed For Europe’s Hardest Hike (The GR20)

My Must-Have Items For The GR20

A Solid Pair Of Trail Runners

A good pair of trail runners made a huge difference on this trail.

I used Altra Lone Peaks and loved them for the GR20. They dried quickly after rain and river crossings, had great grip on lots of steep up and downs on rocky terrain and stayed comfortable over long days.

There’s constant climbing and descending on the GR20, so comfort and stability matter far more than having a heavy boot.

 

Waterproof Layers Are Non-Negotiable

These should be mandatory in everyone’s pack; it’s Mountain Travel 101 to be prepared for all weather conditions. We had scorching heat, pouring rain, thick fog, extreme winds and snow, all in the middle of summer, and all with a clear weather prediction report. 

The weather comes in hard and fast from the ocean and clashes violently with the very mountain range that you’ll be scaling. Be prepared!  The trail is remote, and the distances are far between refuges. Make sure you pack smart even if it feels silly when it's 30 °C in the valley when you start. 

My waterproof setup:

• Arc'teryx Alpha AR Shell
• Waterproof rain pants

I don’t normally hike in waterproof pants much, but in alpine conditions they’re a lifesaver.

 

Sunglasses

Most of the trail is in the alpine and very exposed to the elements so save those peepers!

 

Hiking through snow on the trail 

 

Trekking Poles And Microspikes

There are some very steep sections on the GR20, made even more technical by shouldering a heavy pack. Hiking poles help utilise the upper body, maintain a good posture and help take the load off the knees which are already working hard enough! 

Microspikes are lightweight and compact and are great for the snowy sections. Not mandatory but really helpful when it's icy and steep.

I carried:

• Yaktrax microspikes
• Gabel hiking poles

 

 

GR20 Packing List At A Glance

 

 

Backpack

Having a larger pack (65L) worked well because there’s really only one major resupply point across the whole hike. I needed space for extra food and fuel.

That said, if I did the hike again with lighter gear and fewer food carries, I’d probably drop down to around a 40L backpack to keep the weight more compact and manageable.

 

Steph with her 65L hiking backpack on the GR20 trek

 

Camping Gear

I chose to camp the GR20 instead of relying on refuges. It’s more affordable and gives you a lot more flexibility.

 

Sleep System

• Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Tent and footprint
• Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 Sleeping Bag
• Rab Ultrasphere Sleeping Mat
• Inflatable Pillow

 

Perfect sunset views from camp

 

Cooking & Water Setup

• MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
•  Cooking pot + wind shield + sponge
• Spork, mug and Leatherman Skeletool
• Small thermos for tea
• Lighter and spare gas canister

Note: One thing I really wish I’d packed was more gas! Cold temperatures and exposed campsites burn through fuel surprisingly fast. Many refuges had very limited supplies or were completely closed, so don’t rely on buying gas or meals along the way.

 

Our campsite on the GR20 surrounded by epic scenery

Water 

• 2 x 2L collapsible water bottles
• Steripen UV purifier
• Water treatment tablets

The mountain water was incredibly clean, but I still carried purification options just in case but I wouldn't take the steripen if I was to do it again, the water was super fresh.

 

Making friends with the locals

 

 

Clothing For The GR20

The key on the GR20 is layering for rapidly changing conditions, here’s what was additionally in my pack:

• Arc'teryx Atom Jacket
• Down puffer
• Sports bra I use is from North Face
• Helly Hansen thermal top
• Patagonia hiking shorts
• Hiking tights
• Gloves
• Patagonia fleece pants
• Beanie
• Buff
• Fractel running hat
• Sunglasses
• Wool sleep socks
• 3 pairs of underwear

 

Electronics & Navigation

• Phone with MapOut offline maps
• Charging cables
• Petzl rechargeable headtorch
• Battery pack
• Noise-cancelling headphones

Offline maps are critical on the GR20. Phone reception can be patchy and the trail can be surprisingly technical to navigate in poor visibility.

 

 

First Aid & Emergency Gear

• Blister kit
• Compression bandage
• Triangle bandage
• Painkillers and medications
• Emergency blanket
• Duct tape
• Sewing repair kit
• Waterproof matches
• Gear ties
   

 

This is remote mountain terrain where small gear failures can quickly become big problems so being prepared is key.

 

Toiletries & Miscellaneous Items

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitiser
• Quick-dry towel
• Ear plugs and eye mask

The long summer daylight hours made the eye mask surprisingly useful.

 

Happy days on the trail

 

Miscellaneous 

• Passport, ID, cash, cards (+ spare) cash is key for little treats at the refuges
• Book/ kindle, audiobooks, spotify playlists, notebook + pen
• Travel insurance, passport photos 
• Sea to Summit ultralight day pack for any day trips 

 

My Top GR20 Tips

 

1. Pack For Every Season

Pack for all weather conditions and check the weather whenever you can, storms can come in hard and fast and you don’t want to be caught on an exposed ridgeline when it does.

 

Hiking through rocky terrain

2. Carry Cash

Bring cash for the refuges and only use them for snacks or little extras. The GR20 isn’t as popular as other long distance hiking routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Haute Route and we found a lot of the refuges were closed or not serving food which can be disappointing after a long day of dreaming about hot chippies

 

More rugged mountain landscapes along the GR20 hiking trail

 

3. Don’t Underestimate The Trail

The vertical gain on the GR20 is no joke. Set realistic goals with the vertical mileage in mind. It takes a lot longer to navigate steep, unforgiving climbs and descents with a heavy pack. It’s easy to underestimate the trail… it’s not named the Hardest Hike in Europe for nothing…
H2 Useful GR20 Planning Resources

Before hiking, check the official GR20 refuge booking rules and book GR20 refuges and bivouacs through the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse. I’d also check the Corsica mountain weather forecast on Météo-France before each stage, then compare your kit against a trusted GR20 equipment checklist and download the GR20 route stages for offline navigation (you can use apps like MapOut).

 

 

Final Thoughts

As hard as the GR20 can be, it’s also one of the most rewarding hikes I’ve ever done.

Don’t forget to take time to swim in the beautiful streams and waterholes along the way, bask in sunny alpine meadows and stargaze from a faraway summit. Chat to other hikers and join in the camaraderie. The hike attracts people from all over the world with interesting stories. 

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GR20 FAQs

Do you need to book campsites on the GR20?
If you’re camping near refuges on the GR20, check the current booking rules before you go. Some hikers report needing reservations even with their own tent, so don’t assume you can just turn up in peak season.

Can you rely on refuges for food on the GR20?
Not completely. Refuges may sell meals, snacks and basic groceries, but availability varies by season, location and stock levels. I’d carry enough food to cover delays or closed refuges.

How much water should you carry on the GR20?
Many hikers carry around 2 litres at a time and refill along the route, but hot exposed sections can increase your needs. Carry purification tablets, a filter or UV purifier so you can treat water when needed.

Are trail runners okay for the GR20?
Yes, trail runners can work well if they have strong grip, good stability and enough comfort for steep rocky terrain. I used Altra Lone Peaks and was glad to have quick-drying shoes instead of heavy boots.

Do you need microspikes on the GR20?
In summer, microspikes are not always necessary, but they can be useful in early season, after snow, or on icy steep sections. Check conditions close to your start date before deciding.

How cold does the GR20 get in summer?
Even in summer, GR20 conditions can swing from hot valleys to cold, windy, wet alpine sections. Hikers mention big temperature ranges, so waterproof layers and warm camp clothes are worth carrying.

How heavy should your pack be for the GR20?
As light as safely possible. The GR20 has relentless climbing and descending, so every extra kilo matters, but don’t cut essential weather, food, water or safety gear.

Is the GR20 harder than other European hikes?
Most hikers describe the GR20 as more technical, rocky and physically demanding than many popular European long-distance routes. The challenge is not just distance, it’s the steep terrain, exposure, weather and pack weight.