GR®5 “Great Alpine Crossing”

Cross the entire French Alps in about 40 stages. You can tackle it in sections or all at once, over the course of a summer or over ten years, walking, running, or strolling however you like. Following the GR®5 trail, the legendary “Grande Traversée des Alpes” invites you to hike the Alpine section of one of the world’s most fabulous long-distance hiking routes! Start your hike along the shores of Lake Geneva and end, some 620 km further on (a 3- to 4-week hike), on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea… There’s no doubt about it: the Grande Traversée des Alpes is an unforgettable hike! Along the way, you’ll discover the incredible biodiversity of the Alps and the variety of landscapes: from the lush shores of Lake Geneva to the snow-capped peaks of the High Alps, from the Savoyard alpine pastures to the hilltop villages of the Alpes-Maritimes, and from high-altitude deserts to the Mediterranean coast. During your hike, you’ll pass through three national parks—Vanoise, Queyras, and Mercantour—and numerous nature reserves. There, you’ll be able to observe the diverse mountain flora and fauna and appreciate the natural riches of the Alps at your own pace. From mountain huts to trail lodges, along the 620 km of marked trails, about a hundred accommodations listed by the “Grande Traversée des Alpes” association welcome you. Upon request, they provide lodging, meals, and the information you need to ensure your trek goes smoothly. Explore the stages in detail for each major section of the route; plenty of information is available to help you plan your crossing according to your preferences, the time you have available, and the areas you’d like to explore!