GR20 – The South – Solo Hiking Europes Hardest Trail Part 2

GR20 – The South – Solo Hiking Europes Hardest Trail Part 2

Are you coming? Let’s go. All right. Good morning, people. We are back. It is day nine. I’m in Vitzavona and I’m ready to continue my GR20 journey. Hasn’t exactly been 2 days of rest. One of them had 8 hours of walking and then yesterday was multiple hours of traveling to get here. But I am definitely feeling around 60% out of 100 in terms of wellness. And that is a significant improvement for me. that’s well enough to continue and give these last six days a push. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. You know, the last two days have just been torrential rain. Um, and then the journey even to get here with this bus journey along this gorge uh was pretty hair raising and adventurous in itself. And when I was in Corte, I managed to go to the supermarket and I got some food that I actually like to eat on the trail. I got some waffles. I got some wraps with nut butter. So, as a vegetarian, I feel like I can actually get some protein in my diet. And I managed to get some water purification tablets, which is absolutely mega. That’s going to make these last six days a little bit more comfortable, a little bit easier. Then I arrived at the hotel. Basically, I’ve just been resting. I managed to catch up with my Patreon audio diaries, which I record live here on the trail. So, I’m feeling up today. I’m feeling rested. I’ve managed to eat. I’ve even managed to drink a cup of coffee. So, it just doesn’t get any better than that, does it? Really? Just trying to psych myself up. But I do know that these last six days are just simply not due to be as technical as the northern stretch. The real hard work is behind us now. Um, and here we have the split between the north and the south. We’re obviously heading south. I did just have to check that. This is it. Six days to Corte. No, to conquer. Are you with me? Hi. Try and maintain my 60% for the rest of the hike. Sunshine. As lovely as the sunshine is, I’ve already got stomach cramps, which is so painful. Just trying to breathe through them. I’ve literally just stopped to give my intestines some space not being pinched by the rrook sack. You know, it’s real nice to just have this forestry track for a moment so I can ponder the challenges of the last week. It has been freaking tough, man. But you know what? Right now, I think my absolute guiding force is gratitude. I am so grateful for my body. I’m so grateful for my mind. I’m so grateful for my spirit, my resilience, and my wisdom. I’m still here and I’m still carrying on. And I feel like, you know, this is my GR20. Some people could get hung up on the fact that I’ve missed three days of the trail, but I still had three days of a story. And if we’re not being awakened to the stories in our life because we are in an endless pursuit of a goal, we’re not living in the journey. We’re purely chasing a destination. And it’s this journey that is offering me so much. I think this turbulent time has just really reminded me of the level of spirituality that you can dive into when on a backpacking trip because you just have to surrender to the bigger forces sometimes. And you know, if you let your ego get in the way, you’re only going to fail. Whereas if you surrender ego, if you step over your own wants, desires, and let go into whatever happens happens. I’m just going to keep showing up, keep committing, stay consistent. You’ll just be gifted with this beautiful experience. Even if you have to work through some hardships, there’s lessons and there’s growth along the way. I’m really feeling so happy. I’m feeling so blessed. This trail has really pushed me to my edge. Oh my gosh, I’m gonna come back so much stronger for it. And that is a wonderful, wonderful thing. It’s taking a huge amount of perseverance here to work through this stomach cramp. Just can barely breathe. But uh now that we’ve gained more elevation, we got a bit of cloudage and some really great views. [Music] Breaking the back of the climbing today. 1 th000 m. I mean, there’s still a little bit to go. [Music] This is so funny. There’s bracken. It smells like I’m walking in the Lake District. Oh, the tame lovely Lake District. Also, if you’re wondering why I’m pretty confident I’m going to succeed with these next six days, it’s because I have waffles. I live off waffles on the trail. Waffles equals power. Power equals success. Don’t listen to everything I say, but do eat waffles. [Music] Definitely would agree with the guide book about this ascent being a sting in the tail. Yes. Just yes. [Music] I can’t believe how weak I feel. But we’ve done a day. That means there’s five days left. From weakness or strength, we’re going to get through this thing. Yes, mate. Back in the game. [Music] Back to trail life. This is the dorm. There’s no windows and there’s no working light. Okay, I found a light switch right there. It’s so random. That makes it a bit better, I think. All right, this is my bunk. Which one are you having? It’s like a hospital. >> I’ve got my wraps and I’ve got my nut butter. So, I’m just doing some prep for tomorrow. Make sure everything is rigged and ready to go. And then rest, rest, rest. This is as good as home cooking gets on the trail. It’s also really difficult onehanded. All righty, folks. Just had dinner. The clouds are swirling around and just before dinner, pure happiness hit me because guess who walked up to the refuge? Be walked up to the refuge. It’s so nice. >> How is your little feast? >> You want some cheese? >> I just had some actually. Thanks. >> Do you like my plate? >> Yeah, it’s a good plate. >> It’s a very light plate. Good morning everybody. It’s day 10. We’ve had some weather updates. There’s some really big storms coming in tomorrow, which are genuinely looking like it’s a zero day. It’s going to be unsafe to walk from 9:00 a.m. in the morning is what they’re saying. Look, the thing is, just because we’re in the south, it doesn’t mean it’s not high. So, the terrain is easier, but we are still above 2,000 m on at least three out of these six days. I’m going to have a quick look and make sure I know what my escape routes are. Uh, I also just met Be, my lovely friend Bee, and she is really considering pulling the plug today. It’s not crossed her mind. I even said yesterday how she just seems invincible. She’s just endlessly positive. And then she also has just voiced that she is just tired of worrying about the weather. And I can only say the same. It’s just it’s like being a hunter gatherer, you know, just perpetually living in fear. I just need to get cracking, I think. Don’t think, just do. We’ll deal with these problems as they come up. See you be bye. Goodbye. a refuge in the mountain. [Music] Hello, GR20. I mean, it was not a bad walk to start the day. We only had a nice little scramble. The haze is uh coming and going, offering nice views. [Music] [Music] It’s uh really hot, but it has been beautiful. I’m really fighting here to get myself into a more positive headsp space. I just I have to stop overcalculating. You know, there’s a real lesson here for life, I think, about looking at only what you can control. I can’t control the weather, but I can control just keeping moving, looking after myself today. Hydration, nutrition, stretching, rest, recovery, all that stuff. Keep going with that and it will come together however it comes together. Oh, there’s a bridge. [Music] Now I’m really confused. We are walk. What? It’s not even midday. Jeez, that’s going fast. All right. How nice is this? That just smells like home. It’s a very comforting thing right now. Folks, I have a coffee, a proper coffee, and I want to drink it. That can only mean I’m getting better. Cheers. >> See you down the trail. >> Bye. >> Right, folks. It’s 100 p.m. Let’s keep trucking. Hi. I drank two coffees. I indulged. I feel a bit sick now. Can’t win. I thought I had more words, but I don’t. Right then, leaving the fun behind. We now have 600 700 m of I said, I don’t know how many. It’s not worth counting after 500. We just have to get there to the next refuge. I do have to say though, it’s really nice being in these forests. Just listening to the the wind in the trees, which I can just about hear above my heart rate. It’s a very comforting experience actually. Love these pine trees. Some of them are over 300 years old. This is a pretty epic turf we’re treading on. A helpful sign. It’s so warm, folks. I’m absolutely dripping with sweat, but we’re doing this thing. Let’s get up this mountain. Look at that. I really do enjoy when we get views of these peaks. I have a new motto. Strong legs, strong heart, strong lungs, strong mind. That’s my mantra right now. Strong legs, strong heart, strong lungs, strong mind. [Music] Ah! Oh god, I feel like my eyes are bleeding. from the sweat and the sun cream. I appear to be on the floor and it’s not helpful. Oh, freak. I think we’re here. Yeah, we’re somewhere anyway. Bucket deu. Yes. 20 minutes to the refuge. We have cloudage. I don’t care. Oh god, look at where we’ve come. Oh my eyes. Ow. I need to get a tissue. Right, bastard. Well, that was a bit dramatic. It had been a mammoth push to reach the baer. as I worked through intense stomach cramps and then being blinded by sweat and sun cream. Regardless, it was an epic spot, sitting high in the clouds at 1,840 m above sea level. We have just about made it to the refuge. I can see it now. Clouds swirling all around. Uh, I can’t work out whether they said the wind is 18 or 80 kilometers an hour tomorrow. Of course, 80 is not ideal, but we did it. After this morning’s angst, another day done. Four days to go. All right, people. We’ve arrived. I’ve just got a download of the weather. Tomorrow is not walking. They’re saying wind gusts of 140 km an hour. >> Plan has been made. We’re going to hang tight. We’re going to get some good rest, good stretching, good nutrition, and then tomorrow we’ll press on nice and early. Everyone’s going. So, you know what? There’s safety in numbers sometimes. I >> have to say this is a really really nice spot. It’s got a good blissful vibe to it, especially with the horses. I love the horses. I’ve just managed to get some bread and cheese for dinner because the dinner menu is not vegetarian. I’m so glad I went to Katy when I did and got myself some food cuz it’s just so freaking difficult to get food on this hike. I don’t normally eat bread, but my gosh, it’s uh it’s a lot of bread. Anyway, going to have a shower and then just prioritize stretch and rest. It’s me and my baguette. >> Yeah. And cheese. >> You want some? >> Yeah. I want to try it. >> Thanks. You’re >> welcome. I really feel like I’m in France. >> Me and my baguette. >> Me and my baguette. >> Here we come. [Music] Oh no, the dog broke my camera. That is why I always have a screen protector on. Let’s go. Okay. Good morning, folks. We’re leaving the refuge behind. It’s uh4 to 7. I’ve been walking for 15 minutes. The air is warm. The wind is uh blowing all around. It was a good night’s sleep. I’m ready for this new day. Going to give it 100%. Stay focused on what I can control and what I can’t. Just let it blow away. In theory, the ocean is over there. Can’t quite see that, but uh there’s an ocean of clouds instead. There we go. It’s pretty heavy traffic on the GR20 this morning. Good morning, goats. Oh, there’s goats everywhere. Oh my gosh. Okay, I can’t get over how beautiful your coat is. Oh, it must be hot in the summer. Right, cheerio goats. I got a trail to do. I like the goats stuff. Wow. Meanwhile, that’s our ridge. This is our walk for today. I’m moving swift. I’m moving strong. I’m moving happy. And there’s really not much else I can ask for on a morning like this. Going to have to be really sensible, very careful already. Some of these gusts are proving very powerful. Undoubtedly, the wind is going to slow things down today. Just going to have to be that next level cautious. The path followed the rocky ridge, playfully switching from side to side. In places, it was scrambly and hard to navigate, but in others, it was an easy to follow footpath. [Music] Okay, cool. We’ve reached the part that actually is my escape route. We’re not going to take it. Obviously, we’re doing really good, but you can see it goes down to Koa or Kazano 2 and 1/2 hours. There’s a little billboard. So, let’s go check that out first. Really flying so far today. It’s uh it just makes such a change to feel strong. I’m loving it. That’s all right, isn’t it? Yes. Ba dabo. [Music] This has been one mega climb. Just gone on and on. Switch backing all the way up. I think we’re getting there, which is lovely. Bit brightness on this side of the mountain as well. Also lovely. Keep pushing. I know the microphone isn’t going to be picking this up, but there is thunder in every direction. It’s just rumbling, tumbling like a hungry tummy. Actually, the really nice thing is just up there, there’s the high point for today. And then uh we really have covered some awesome ground in very good time. [Music] Nice scramble. Yes, people. Yes. 1,981 m. Woo! Day 11 on the GR20 hanging. Man, was that epic. Look at where we are. Blime me. That was close. Rip sack knocked me. I’m genuinely bamboozled here. But we’ve made it to the refuge. This is becoming quite a typical scene around these refues. The mules and horses roaming free. Really nice. Mate, how easy was that? >> That was so easy. >> We could have done that last night. >> I love this. It’s like a jungle camp. >> Wow. Um, do you know the weather for the rest of today? Is it safe to continue? >> Munch. Yeah, >> I went shopping on the GR20. I have cake and I have coffee and I have fruit juice and I have cheese and I have nut mix and it was €20, but I have it all. So, I’m happy. And the best thing about it, the weather has shifted. We’re carrying on people. So, it’s time to like food load and then March. I’m I’m so happy. I love days like today. This is trail life at its best. >> Oh, wow. You were hungry. >> Yeah. I’m going to eat all of this now. >> Okay. Possibly this. Definitely this. >> Best three ever and an ass. Living a dream. >> Gosh, it feels like years ago that I first stayed on one of these. That was only 11 days ago. So that’s where we’re aiming for. Matalaza, which is 4 hours 25 minutes away. Things change like a drop of a coin here. It’s unbelievable, at least on my hawk. But I ate cake and cheese. Feel very sick now. But that’s okay. I have some trail mix for spares ready to go. chain there. There’s a mark. That was not an obvious stretch. The path is almost like playful. Generally, it goes in sort of quite logical places as well. I think in a way I’m glad that it’s hazy and I can’t spend all my time admiring the view cuz I think we’d get nowhere otherwise. Oo, that’s interesting. >> Yeah. Okay. All righty, folks. We are off the aret and uh yeah, really chipping away at this descent. It’s feeling good down in the forest. It’s a nice path, nice walking. I’ve just enjoyed chatting with this French lass who’s a product designer for Decathlon. Um the tent team. Freaking cool job. Um so yeah, now I’m going to spend the last stretch to the refuge dreaming up my dream tent, I think. Oh, look. That’s a bit nice. Gratefully received today. A beautiful. Okay, we’ve gone from goats to pigs. Here they go. We’ve made it to Basteta, which is the refuge before the one I want to stop at. My legs are like screaming at me to stop. I’m like, uh-uh, we’re moving. Sorry. It’s been a solid 9h hour shift of real pushing. But yeah, I’m feeling feeling just so happy. And uh yeah, I’ve made my life easier for tomorrow as well cuz we got a big old mountain to climb and I was getting nervous about it being in the afternoon. Now it’ll be in the morning. Best case situation. A few kilometers later and I reached de Matalza. Back in the tents. So I have booked in for dinner. This place h its reputation has gone up the trail. Everyone’s like, “You have to have you have to have their lasagna.” And it’s vegetarian. So, I’m over the moon about that. >> I don’t know. >> Back in the land of no signal. So, back on Mozio sending some messages. >> Yeah. Your is here. >> Yeah. >> And today this is my living room. You got the You got the premium option. >> How? >> So, there’s all the campers out here and there’s a clubhouse in here. >> Look at this. >> Come on. The drama continues. So, the storms come in whilst we were eating the lovely lasagna. I knew that my tent leaked because we had a little bit of rain earlier and it leaked. So, I was like, great. I didn’t have my waterproof on to be fair. It was pretty shortsighted of me. Long story short, the tent flooded. I’ve managed to just grab some things. Now, I’m in the dormatory. So, yay. Good morning everybody. It’s a new day. It’s the first morning I’ve woken up to mist. I have to say I’m beyond overjoyed to not be walking along the in this. Like that would just be so unpleasant. Don’t get me wrong, we have to climb up a big mountain this morning, but this is due to burn off and hopefully it won’t hang around for too long. So fingers crossed. E freaking track. When do you get to walk on a track on the GR20? I don’t know what to make of this. It’s a bit weird. It’s like walking in autumn or England. The wind and the mist and the dampness. Feel like I’m at home. But no, I’m in the Corsican mountains. About 3 km into the day’s hike and I passed the first Bgerie where, much to my absolute joy, they sold crepes. Though I didn’t stop for one, the air must have been sweet as I felt my energy levels sore. Sadly, I couldn’t say the same for the poor donkeys, though. >> Donkeys. It’s a sad life, isn’t it? Every now and then, the sun comes out and then it goes away. It’s pretty thick mist. It’s uh it’s dark this morning. I’ve actually just gone wrong. The sign made it look like it was up here, but thanks to my GPS, I know it’s not. It’s uh where those people are coming from. Wow, this is crazy. [Music] I lost the trail. These conditions are really difficult to navigate in. The path is really poorly signed. I mean, there’s a can Can you see anything at all? See, there’s cans everywhere. People are just making cans. That is not helpful. It’s actually a really big problem in the mountain community. People making cans where there shouldn’t be cans. Right. That’s definitely not it. All right, I’ll be back when I find the path. I spotted a marker up there. If this mist gets any thicker, it’s really not cool. It’s quite amusing with the GR because a lot of the places you really feel markers are needed, they disappear and then uh places where they’re not needed, they reappear. It’s like great, thanks. Also, the thing is everywhere looks like a path. I mean, this is a path, but this sandy terrain is very deceiving as to what’s a path and what’s not. Okay. And I’m back where I just was. How do we get up there? There. There’s a person. How are they over there? Thank you. That was lucky. They’ve pointed to it. Jeez. Going in circles here. Yay. A marker. Okay, let’s uh not get lost again. Whoa. Look what’s happening. The sun. Wow. This is crazy. The weather today is being so fickle. But I tell you what, when you can see, it’s much easier to navigate. Just like that. Gone. I’m really hoping when we break the crest of the ridge that we’ll get out of the wind cuz this is definitely the windward side. Getting butted here. And it’s cold, too. Oh, there it is. Yes. >> Oh, wow. It just drops off. Oh, there’s actually a view as well. That’s cool. Look at that. And the refuge is all the way down there. Cool. Oh my gosh. I feel like I’ve just been like zapped. Coming out of the wind is a bit like just really intense. I’m just uh taking my coat off. I mean, I’m pretty cold, but I just needed to air myself from the sweat and moisture. And we’re below the cloud currently, and just seeing these buttresses, these huge spires of rock reaching up to the heavens. I mean, it’s a pretty epic landscape that we’re walking into. Really, really cool. So, I see why they say it takes an hour and a half to get down cuz you’re just going across. Where are we going? I don’t know. It’s hard enough to navigate. Back in puzzle land, working out which way to go and which way not to go, aka how to stay alive. >> Happy days. Happy days. Refuge. >> We came from all the way up there. That is a long descent. >> That is a long descent. >> That feels good. Actually, there’s a long up and a long down. You want some scratchies? Oh, this is the best arrival ever at a refuge. Salad in tin. Never seen that before. Lovely. Right then, onwards. I’m extremely windswept because that was a very windy spot. Everything kept blowing away and now we’re heading on to Bevetta which means folks we’re on to the penultimate stretch of the GR20 because from Bevetta to Conquer the end of the GR20 is a 7hour walk and I can do that tomorrow. So this is it. Now the the penultimate stretch has begun. My legs hurt. The sun is shining over us at least and the GR20 is going rather well. I have to say this is a very beautiful valley to be walking into. Just look at it. [Music] I’m guessing people have put rocks in there. That’s a quite cool rock tree. [Music] Isn’t this amazing? We’ve really come down to the head of the valley now. We’re actually going to loop around to the left, but still, it’s just an endless horizon of mountains and forest. So different to everything so far. Wow, look at some of these views. Now, these are the mountains we’re heading into for the last day. Incredible, eh? The final ascent for the day was a tricky one. Crossing bare rock and stone with no exact route. And yet, the endless views back made all the hard work worthwhile. [Music] Oh, wow. This place is heaving. What? Where have we just arrived? This was K devela, a ramshackle place busy with day visitors due to the ease of access. The argu surrounding the spot took my breath away. But then again, so did the crowds. It was quite a shock to the system. People, I can see the sea through the trees. That was our first glimpse after all of the cloud and haze the last couple of days. Also, that rhymes. I’m a rapper. Yeah. Anyway, I’m heading down to the or see if they have some space. All right, we have a dorm. 52 half pension. Oh my gosh. We’re going to finish the GR20 tomorrow, so I’m not going to start acting cool. This is insane after all this time. Tumble dry. Yeah. >> Yes, mate. So, I’ve just come out for a little wonder in the way that you do uh after a full day on the hike. And look at this. This view like I can see the sea finally. It it’s just indescribable the feeling right now of I don’t know just what I’m feeling. The fact that the GR20 is in its penultimate stage. The fact that this time tomorrow I will be finished, done, bastard, completed with the GR20. It’s it’s a very strange feeling because as you know I have fought so hard to be here and now looking across at the sea like I’m filled with excitement and obviously trepidation in the way that most longdistance hikers will really know because it’s like oh I have to go back to like life. Um but it is just it’s amazing. You know the wind is swirling all around. That’s why I’m sheltering behind this rock. I feel like we’ve just we have overcome so much to get here. But yeah, this is it. Penultimate day on the GR20 is complete. Over the moon. Woo. Look who’s here. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I was just walking down the hill feeling a bit sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye to you. >> So, cuz I was just looking at the sign like, “Oh, you’re probably at the next refuge.” >> No, I stay. But I was just in my room. >> Yeah. And then you arrived when I walked out of the door. >> GR20 buddies. >> Yes. I’m very happy to stay here now >> with my Petra. >> Well done. >> Our last meal. >> And I have sweet corn. Last time I saw that was on the ground. Good morning, folks. Look at what mother nature is gifting us with today. Almost as though it’s a reward for all of the hard work and challenges we’ve endured to get here. Standing at the beginning of our final day on the GR20, one day ahead of schedule. Hi [Music] See you, bud. [Music] It’s the last day. We’ve almost made it through the GR20. The freaking GR20. The hardest trail in Europe. I can’t believe I get to add that to my badge collection. I don’t even have a badge collection, but whatever. And the best thing is it’s pretty much all downhill today. It’s going to make it hot work, but I’m in this to win it. So, despite what I said about it being downhill, we’ve been going uphill pretty much since my last piece of camera. Goodness me. Look at that. Dropping down the slope. And this is what we’re getting as the occasional view. Blime me. If that’s not beauty, I don’t know what is. [Music] [Music] These views are just blowing my mind. Indescribable this place. Absolutely indescribable. [Music] Up and up and up. It’s really hard work in this heat, I tell you. Jeez, folks. One, navigating this stretch is proving intense. Probably one of the more intense days, actually. But two, freaking hot, man. It’s so hot. It’s like just having arrived in a desert. I’m feeling a little bit like on edge like I was when I was in Utah in March this year. just like right got to really conserve fluids here. So I’ve been shadowing these two chaps who’ve been very good fun. Um so we’ve been getting disorientated together and then they just met their two friends and they all just did an arch with their walking PS for me to walk through which is really nice. I can’t even imagine having to be walking uphill in this heat. It’s 29 right now. Only getting hotter. I’ve spoken with a few folks coming up the mountain side and they’ve said about this natural pool being not too far away. Wow. Maybe this is us. That actually is a proper little pool. Um, yes, please. Look at this place. It’s ridiculously slippy. Oh, it’s just so refreshing. It’s like exactly the right temperature. >> Hello. >> Bad is here. >> Everybody is here. >> Go for a swim. >> I just went in. It’s so good. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> It looks like the water is full of iron or something. >> They’ve gone all the way up there. This pool here is a really deep one and they’re looking all the way up. It’s like proper Tzan territory this. It’s so much fun. >> All right, back on the trail, back in the heat. Last couple of hours down to conquer. That was just so fun. Everyone arrived at the same time. real celebration of what we’re all achieving here. Really, really special. Jeez. Wow. I’d just like to point out now that I’m alone how big a deal it is to just frolic around in the water topless with other people. Uh, granted they are complete strangers and I’ll probably never see any of them ever again, but you know, there’s something about trail magic or the magic on the trail that just causes me to feel more comfortable and confident. But we just went up to the second pool, had some really nice time in the water. You know, that there is is me living my dream life. Like it really is just acting truly comfortable with who I am and not worrying about judgment. In fact, when I just took my top off and got in the water, everyone cheered cuz it’s like, “Yay, Abby is joining us.” This year has been an absolute gargantuan year for personal growth for me. Taking steps into alignment with body and mind. DR20 has providing me a lot of opportunities to learn and grow and find the courage to step into who I am inside on the outside. Speaking of courage, it was time to face the very simple fact that the end of my journey lay only a few kilometers away. The terrain was changing, the path becoming easier underfoot. And then with one last short, sharp, rather brutal ascent, I stopped and looked back. These were the last views over the mountains of the GR20, the place that had been my home for the last 2 weeks. There’s Conquer. That’s the end of the GR20 down there, folks. Oh my gosh. Oh, this is unreal. I need to get my RK sack off and just look for a minute. I can’t believe this. We are so close now, people. So close. Ah, look the coast islands beauty, you know. You know, we’ve really left the mountains behind now. And even though I was really excited to have this final day, it’s been a really tough final day. It’s been a bit of a a fight to keep pushing through the heat and the undulations. You know, the GR20 in pretty much zero stretches is easy. It’s just a relentless challenge. But not only through the terrain has it been a challenge, but you know, the weather. We’ve had wind. We’ve had hail. We’ve had mist. We’ve had sun. We’ve had flooding tents, washed away tents, flooding refuges. We’ve had sickness and gastro bugs and weakness and nausea and headaches. We’ve had fatigue behind the scenes. I’ve had broken equipment. You know, the list just goes on and on and on. Never mind the challenge of the trail itself. You know, I’ve struggled to find my flow on this route and my place within the GR20 community on the trail. It it’s been rough. It’s been tough. It has been a fight. And you know, in many ways, it’s not the usual celebration of walking that I enjoy. It’s actually been an endurance event. It’s been like a sports thing, a challenge, you know, that you book onto. It’s been grueling. It has been so difficult. And it’s a very strange thing to say because obviously through my own two feet I’ve been able to witness some incredible striking unique or inspiring landscapes here on the island of Corsica. This GR20 is the perfect metaphor for so many things that we go through in life. And the reason why I wanted to come and do the hardest trail in Europe is because we are all going through hard things at any given time. We’re all on a metaphorical GR20. Whether it’s financial struggles, whether it’s bereavement, whether it’s loss of a job, whether it’s uh relationship breakdowns, whatever it is, you know, for me, I knew that there was an end in sight, conquer, it was always in sight. no matter how many days it took me. But a lot of the things we go through in life, we don’t know when the difficulties will end. And in fact, often one difficulty rolls into another, rolls into another. And that requires immense stamina and perseverance and resilience. And me coming out here doing the GR20 is nothing compared to so much of what we face in life, particularly the invisible challenges, mental health, chronic pain, identity issues, whatever it is. You know, we have a person inside of the body that we walk through in life. And living out and being that person in our truest, most wholehearted, authentic version of oursel can be really, really difficult in this world. And that and that is why I had to come and do the GR20 in order to encapsulate some of the emotion behind those things that we go through and help you feel seen in the challenges that you’re going through as well because you know you’re not alone just like I actually haven’t been alone on this GR20 route. There have been a lot of hikers around me and in fact even just today I’ve gravitated towards complete strangers in order to stay on the path and follow the white red white red white red and just had a huge amount of laughter in the pools of water. It’s been a truly sacred journey. You know, I will look back at some of these experiences in a mildly traumatic sense, but I know categorically that I’m coming out the other side stronger because it is the hard road that takes us home. And we should never be afraid of facing the hard things in life. So folks, on that note, I’m going to get my butt down into conquer because I’m currently roasting like a fried egg on this rock and I really need to get some cool liquid on me. But if you’ve stuck around this long, like congratulations to you as well, because this has just been a mammoth, mammoth journey. I can’t believe how hard this has come and how hard I’ve had to work to get to this point. But I’m going to cherish it. I know I will. I know that tomorrow I’ll be looking back, grateful not to have to wake up in the dark, grateful to not have to outrun thunderstorms, yet at the same time missing the little nuances of life on the trail and being outdoors the whole entire time. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing. Thank you for being here, folks. Until next time, enjoy your adventures, no matter how big or small they might be. Believe you can get up, get out, and spend more time in the wild. A yeah, I’ll see you soon. Woohoo! To conquer. And with that, it was time to go. I dawned my backpack for the very last time and with my best foot forward began the final descent down into conquer. My 14 days of pain had actually turned out to be only 13 and had strengthened me in ways I had barely dared to dream. Before long, the trail turned to track and track then turned to tarmac. It was a surreal experience, and I found myself stopping often to look back towards the hills and mountains, wondering if it had all been a dream. My wobbly legs and sore shoulders, though, told me it certainly couldn’t have been. As I arrived at the inconspicuous end, I realized something. My biggest fears had all been in my head. Sure, I’m imperfect, vulnerable, and had been afraid. My pack was way too heavy and I’d missed some days. But that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging. Through the hard road, I had arrived at self-acceptance. I had arrived home. We did it. The end of the GR20. What an epic adventure. You did it. >> Yeah. So did you, mate. >> Cheers. >> Cheers >> to the GR20. Oh, that’ll do. >> Hey, ciao. [Music]

Compared to the north, the southern half of the GR20 is often seen as the “easier” half of Europe’s toughest trail. In this full-length solo hiking documentary, Abbie Barnes will take you across forests, rolling plateaus, and sun-drenched ridges as the GR20 reveals its softer yet equally challenging side.

This film is more than a trek, it’s an exploration of connection with nature, resilience, and wellbeing. With breathtaking landscape videography, honest reflections, and the rhythm of the trail, the GR20 South invites you into a journey of both physical challenge and personal discovery.

Watch part one here: https://youtu.be/xKVcHOiUZfQ
Watch the journey in one go here: https://youtu.be/-pFT6lUDGGQ
Preparing to hike the GR20? Here are Abbie’s Top Tips: https://youtu.be/HYY_y3v2_wg

00:00 – Day Nine
09:12 – Day Ten
19:31 – Day Eleven
30:09 – Day Twelve
55:15 – Credits

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