# Hardest Trail in Europe? The GR 20

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507/hardest-trail-in-europe-the-gr-20
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507/hardest-trail-in-europe-the-gr-20.md
Podcast: [Free Outside](https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-outside-6909507)
Published: 2026-07-13T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freeoutside/episodes/Hardest-Trail-in-Europe--The-GR-20-e3lvs0e
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/eaf7016c/podcast/play/122727886/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-12%2F427816765-44100-2-98497a77fcc94.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/free-outside-6909507/episodes/hardest-trail-in-europe-the-gr-20
Duration seconds: 2717

## Resource

After hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and racing the Zugspitz 100K, I flew to Corsica for one final adventure: the GR20, often called the hardest long-distance trail in Europe. I expected another scenic alpine trek. Instead, I found endless scrambling, brutal climbs, snowfields, technical descents, and some of the most rewarding mountain scenery I've ever experienced. Along the way I hitchhiked across Corsica, swam in alpine pools during a European heat wave, got sick halfway through the hike, learned why everyone fears this trail, and discovered that sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the terrain—it's stepping into the unknown. In this episode I share what makes the GR20 so difficult, what surprised me most about Corsica, how I completed the route in 4½ days, and why this month of solo travel has been about much more than backpacking. Topics include: * What makes the GR20 so infamous * Backpacking through Corsica's mountains * Refugios, bivouacs, and trail logistics * Hiking northbound instead of southbound * Technical terrain, snowfields, and massive climbs * Hitchhiking, language barriers, and travel lessons * Why doing uncomfortable things builds confidence If you've ever wondered whether the GR20 deserves its reputation—or you've been looking for your next big adventure—this episode is for you. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the…

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