Adventure Plans

Why Hike It

A long alpine traverse through the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, crossing some of the highest and most scenic terrain in Western Europe.

The GR5 is one of the longest and most varied alpine routes in Europe. The French section runs from Geneva south through the Vanoise, the Écrins foothills, and finally the Mercantour to finish at Nice or Menton on the Côte d'Azur. It is sustained, infrastructure-rich, and visually overwhelming throughout, passing through three national parks and dozens of alpine villages.

Trail Snapshot

• Distance: 680 km
• Typical duration: 42 days
• Difficulty: Hard
• Route style: Point To Point
• Elevation gain: 35,000 m
• Primary accommodation: huts, gîtes, tent, hotels

Highlights and Signature Sections

• Lac Léman to Chamonix: Opening valley approach with clear Alpine sightlines and strong logistical support in a well-known mountain town
• Vanoise National Park: The largest national park in France, with chamois, ibex, high passes, and a refuge network that defines alpine hiking infrastructure
• Col de la Croix du Bonhomme: A classic high crossing with outstanding panoramic views that rewards steady pacing over rush
• Écrins border country: The transition zone south of Briançon where the trail moves from dense tourist infrastructure into quieter, wilder terrain
• Mercantour National Park: Mediterranean mountain landscapes distinct from the northern Alps, with marmots, mouflon, and a clear shift in vegetation and colour
• Menton or Nice finish: Descending from high alpine terrain to sea-level Mediterranean is one of the great contrasts any long trail delivers

Trail Photos

Photo source: Vanoise National Park on Wikipedia

Season Window

• Recommended months: July, August, September
• Typical pattern: July and August are peak season with the best weather and full refuge opening; September offers quieter trails and reliable high-pressure windows but shorter days.
• Practical note: Do not start before early July; high cols retain snow into June and refuge seasons begin mid-June at the earliest in most sections.

Logistics: Food, Water, and Sleep

• Resupply: Towns and villages occur regularly enough to plan resupply every three to four days throughout most of the route; Briançon is the major mid-route hub.
• Water: Generally reliable across the route; the Mercantour section can run drier in late season so carry extra margin in the south.
• Sleep setup: The refuge and gîte network is extensive and well-organised; reservation is essential for July and August, particularly in Vanoise and Mercantour.
• Strategy: Reserve ahead for the national park sections and build in flexibility around the Briançon rest day; the southern sections can be done more spontaneously outside peak weeks.

Difficulty by Region

• Northern Alps (Geneva to Modane): Strong daily gains and descents but familiar mountain infrastructure; a good place to find your pace.
• Vanoise (Modane to Briançon): Technically straightforward but high and demanding; weather changes faster here and altitude above 2,500 m is sustained.
• Southern Alps and Mercantour (Briançon to Nice): Less infrastructure, more heat possible in late summer, and route-finding can be more demanding on less-walked sections.

Permits and Rules

• Permit required: No, but national park rules apply within Vanoise and Mercantour
• Official source: https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/
• Verify current permit, access, and land-management rules before departure; Vanoise and Mercantour both have regulations on camping outside designated areas.
• Wild camping: Wild camping is not generally permitted within Vanoise or Mercantour National Parks; outside park boundaries the standard French bivouac tolerance applies (arrive late, leave early, no fire); always check current restrictions for the section you are walking.

Gear Watch

• Foot system: Forty-plus days of alpine terrain demands high-quality boots and a dialled-in blister prevention routine from day one.
• Waterproofs: Afternoon convective storms are common across the Alps in July and August; full waterproofs are non-negotiable.
• Sun and heat protection: The southern sections and descents toward the Mediterranean require serious sun protection even for experienced alpine walkers.
• Navigation: The trail is generally well-signed but the Mercantour section in particular benefits from offline mapping and the FFRandonnée topo-guide series.

Hazards and Cautions

• Afternoon thunderstorms develop rapidly above 2,000 m; aim to be at or below passes by midday during unsettled weather.
• Snow coverage on high cols persists into July in the north; ice axe and microspikes may be needed for early-season starts.
• The heat of the southern descent into Nice can catch walkers accustomed to cool alpine temperatures; acclimatise pace and hydration accordingly.
• Overcrowding in Vanoise refuges during peak August weekends can force route deviations; book well in advance.

First-Time Thru-Hiker Strategy

• Reserve accommodation in the national park sections before leaving home; these fill months in advance for peak summer weeks.
• Plan a proper rest in Briançon at roughly the halfway point; the southern half of the route is quieter and more self-sufficient than the north.
• Track the weather across both the northern and southern Alps; they often behave quite differently in the same week.
• The Menton or Nice finish is worth planning as a celebration; the route earns it.