GR5
Description
- Length of trail 2,600 km, 1,616 miles
- Length in days 130 days
- Start of trail Bergen op Zoom (Nl)
- End of trail Nice (F)
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
Northsea - Riviera, three months
The GR5 is one of the most popular long distance hikes in Europe. And with reasons: the trail connects the North Sea with the Mediterranean and crosses some of the best and most varied mountain ranges of the continent. If you want, you can continue the GR5 north into Great Brittain: the E2.
Along this trail, friendships were coined and hiking clubs were born... Not surprisingly, a lot of information can be found on the world wide web.
The trail starts in the Netherlands, Bergen op Zoom. Soon the path enters Flanders and its sandy grounds and typical villages. The GR5 again enters the Netherlands, the old and interesting city of Maastricht. Next is the Ardennes region of Belgium, the romantic and forested hills with its grey houses and farms. Third country is Luxembourg. The path follows the border with Germany, along the meandering river Moselle and its castles.
In France the GR5 explores the Vosges, then the Jura, sometimes crossing the border with Switzerland, and finally, after crossing the lake of Geneva by ferry, it follows the length of the Alps. Highlight here is the Mont Blanc. But also the Vanoise, Écrins, Queyras and Mercantour. The trail ends in Nice, good place for a refreshing bath and good meal before returning home.
Many hikers made a life experience of this hike, often returning year after year to tag another section on the record. Nowadays the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostela is probably more popular, highlighting the spiritual needs people probably have.
Opinions
- Henk Nouws October 1999
- Rate 8
- Positive Hiked several parts in Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
Map
Hike Reports
Links
Facts
- GR 5 / E 2 (Noordzee - Rivièrapad) (Dutch)
They hiked many parts of GR5 / E2: Lumaj Hiking Blog.
- GR 5 Noordzee - Middelandse zee - Deel Vlaanderen | Route Overzicht | GR-wandelen | Grote Routepaden (Dutch)
This website describes the Belgium / Flanders part of the GR5: facts, map, GPS.
- Hike the GR5 and GR 52
Very readable collection of facts and advice, and for many GR5-veterans a happy recognition.
- GR 5 - Wikipédia (French)
- GR 5 Noordzee - Middelandse Zee - Deel Wallonië en GH Luxemburg | Route Overzicht | GR-wandelen | Grote Routepaden (Dutch)
This webpage is about the Belgium / Wallonian and Luxembourg part of the GR5: facts.
- GR5 - De Wissembourg à Nice ou Menton information pratique. (French)
French home page for the GR5 (the French part).
- GR5 - Wikipedia (Dutch)
- GR5 GR52 Sports, - by Provence Beyond
Description of the trail GR5-GR52 between Lac Léman in Switzerland with the Metinerranean coast at Menton.
- GR5 information
Somewhat older website but still useful.
- Traversée du GR5 - Vosges - Jura - Alpes - Nom de domaine gratuit redirigé par New.fr (French)
This website focusses on the French part of the GR5.
Reports
- GR 5: Hoek van Holland - Nice [www.gr5.info] (Dutch)
Iwan Oprins finished the GR5 in 2009, and maintains a very informative website. The entire trail is photographed. Including GPS waypoints, maps, accommodation etc.
- GR53 - GR5 (French)
Rando 21 is a hiking club. Trail journal and photo album of the part of the GR5 that crosses the Jura.
- Hike the GR5 and GR 52
Website dedicated to this popular trail.
- Travelling on foot - GR5
Good report on the Alpine part of the GR5, south of Lake Geneva. Good place to find the answers you're looking for.
- www.mountain-is-good.com - ALPES - GR5 - INTRO (French)
Imagine: 56 days on trail, hiking from Wissembourg to Menton, from the Vosges to the Mediterranean. Here it is, the hike, the story, and the pictures. A happy smiling face in the end.
- 24 uur GR5 (Dutch)
De GR5 in Belgium can be done in 24 hours.
- AlpsTrek
Account and many pictures of the entire trek from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean along the GR5.
- Ardennen (Dutch)
Trail diary covering the GR5 from the Dutch border to the French border.
- Bergwandelen in de Jura (Dutch)
The Jura part of the trail. Some nice panoramas.
- Bloed, zweet & blaren (Dutch)
Bert de Wit and Eelco van Dijk hiked parts of the GR5 and are still heading for Nice.
- de GR 5 .... een eindeloos pad (Dutch)
Hiking diary by Carol Bastings, starting in Maastricht, finishing in ...
- De Larche à Menton, sur les GR 5 et 52 (French)
Southern part of GR5 combined with the GR52 to the coast of the Mediterranean. Diary, map, pictures.
- De Modane à Landry, sur le GR 5 (French)
Fine trip report, of the Vanoise part of the GR5: between Modane and Landry, walking north.
- De Wandel Website van Fred Triep- Startpagina van wandelen in Europa (Dutch)
This page is about hiking in Europe.
- Fire and water - Part 1, GR5 Hiking through marl-country - from Maastricht to Kanne
Report of some of the GR5 around the Dutch-Belgian border.
- France | Ton de Maagt
Several parts of the GR5 are described on the page of Ton de Maagt.
- gr5 (Dutch)
Photo album of the entire trail.
- GR5 (Dutch)
Wim the Haan hiked from Maastricht to Nice. Here his detailed account with pictures.
- GR5 (Dutch)
Blog-style website website with many photo galleries (this makes hiking in Europe great fun). The authors only hiked a small part of the GR5 yet.
- GR5 - Arthur en Mic op weg naar Nice (Dutch)
Most people start in Maastricht and forget about the first part of the GR5. Arthur and Mic started at the very beginning, but no sign of Nice yet.
- GR5 - Jan Flokstra - Overzicht (Dutch)
Account of the hike from Maastricht to Nice.
- GR5 : Briançon -> Nice (du 5 juillet au 18 juillet 2004) (French)
Huge picture album, the stretch between Grenoble and Nice, the Alps.
- GR5 de Larche à Menton (French)
Report of a trip in the French part of the GR5.
- GR5 Hoek van Holland Nice - part I (Dutch)
The "Pilgrim Boppers" leave their track. This is part one of the GR5. starting from Hoek van Holland.
- GR5 Hoek van Holland Nice - part II (Dutch)
And this is part II of the "Pilgrim Boppers" account.
- gr5 Photo Gallery by Hans Wortel at pbase.com (Dutch)
- GR5 stappen van Brussel manneken pis tot nice (Dutch)
This hiker started in Brussels, "manneken pies" (the peeing little man).
- GR5 van Brussel (manneke-pis) naar nice (Dutch)
Photo album.
- GR5-E2 - Maastricht to Nice: Our Story part 1
Concise description of the GR5. "It took us two and a half month".
- GR5: Verslag en foto's Ardennen, Vogezen, Jura en Alpen (Dutch)
Trail diary. Note: click on the little triangle enter the website.
- Hiking the GR5
Reportsa of some of the French sections of the GR5 trail.
- Hiking the Vosges: Colmar-Thann (GR5/GR531/GR532)
Short piece of the trail in the Vosges.
- Home page van Linda Oskam (Dutch)
Linda Oskam names this "her greatest project". She is halfway now.
- LA Crête des Vosges de Ribeauvillé à Thann (French)
Fred and Nat trekking on the GR5 (Crête des Vosges) with their tent.
- Le GR5, de Larche à Modane (French)
Report of the traject between Larche and Modane (Vanoise and Queyras). Map, dairy, pictures.
- Marc S. Pelzer hiking GR5 and GR52 (German)
Short report of a hike along the GR5 and GR52, from Modane to Menton, with pictures and links to GPS map.
- Nathalie Penders'Hiking Page
Nathalie Penders put her story of several long distance hikes - GR5, GR10, GR20, C2C - online.
- Santiago Route | Ton de Maagt
Ton de Maagt's hike from Netherlands to Santiago, partly using GR5 / E2.
- Track Notes Part 1: GR5 in France @ Backpacking Light
Starting from Thonon, these guys hiked the GR5 south to Nice. They will give you some clues on how France works...
- Wandel homepage van Vincent en Jeannette. (Dutch)
All the way from Hoek van Holland to Nice!
- Webklik.nl - GR5 onze ervaringen en tips (Dutch)
Suzanne Middeljans started in Maastricht on March 29 of 2004 and finished in Nice on June the 27th of 2009.
- GR5 (Dutch)
On their way from the North Sea to Nice ... currently somewhere in the Jura.
- http://www.voshaart.nl/wandelen.htm (Dutch)
Pretty tough hikers. Alltogether 2313 km from the north of the Netherlands to Nice.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
Netherlands
2013
- Wandelgids The GR5 Trail | Cicerone |
- Engelsetalige wandelgids van het beroemde GR 5 pad in de Franse Alpen. Dezse gids beschrijft de gehele route van de GR 5 van het meer van Geneve tot aan Nice en de Middellandse zee. Goede beschrijvingen en informatie; kaartmateriaal is vrij beperkt. The GR5, or ´Grande Traversée des Alpes´, is one of the most spectacular and civilised... Read more
- Also available from:
- eBooks.de, Germany
- Cicerone Press , United Kingdom
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
Germany
2013
- Dillon, Paddy: The GR5 Trail
- Through the French Alps: Lake Geneva to Nice. 2nd edition. Read more
United Kingdom
2013
- The GR5 Trail
- An essential guidebook for anyone walking the GR5 trail from Lake Geneva to Nice through the French Alps. The GR5 is one of the world's most spectacular long-distance trails, yet the well graded paths make it suitable for any moderately experienced hiker or trekker. The route can be walked in a month or split over a series of summer trips. Read more
United Kingdom
2013
- The GR5 Trail
- Through the French Alps: Lake Geneva to Nice Read more
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Netherlands
2013
- Wandelgids Traversée du Mercantour - GR 5 -52 -52A | FFRP ref 507 |
- Fout lopen wordt op deze manier wel erg moeilijk. Met symbolen is weergegeven welke voorzieningen (openbaar vervoer / winkels / overnachtingen) er zijn langs of bij de route. Een nadeel is dat de daadwerkelijke adressen dan weer niet altijd genoemd worden. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans nederlandse... Read more
- Also available from:
- IGN, France
France
2013
- Le Mercantour - Vallée des Merveilles - 507
- Guide FFRandonnée Le Mercantour - Vallée des Merveilles - 507. La Grande Traversée des Alpes. GR 5, 52, 52A. 443 km de sentiers GR.Nouvelle édition refonte. Elle comprend désormais des fonds IGN au 1 : 25 000 pour un repérage plus précis en montagne. Pas moins de 450 km de sentiers GR® vous... Read more
France
2012
- La Grande Traversée du Jura à pied - 512
- Guide FFRandonnée La Grande Traversée du Jura à pied - 512 - GR Pays - GR GTJ - 391 Km de sentiers GRDu Doubs à l'Ain, par les crêts, cluses et reculées : sites naturels grandioses. Plus de 30 jours de randonnée. La GTJ offre au randonneur un cheminement ponctué de sites exceptionnels. Du... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2012
- Wandelgids 512 Grande Randonnee GR5 La grande traversée du Jura | FFRP |
- Uitstekende routegids met gedetailleerde kaarten en een routebeschrijving. Fout lopen wordt op deze manier wel erg moeilijk. Met symbolen is weergegeven welke voorzieningen (openbaar vervoer / winkels / overnachtingen) er zijn langs of bij de route. Een nadeel is dat de daadwerkelijke adressen dan weer niet genoemd worden. Nommay / Montbéliard... Read more
Netherlands
2012
- Wandelgids 531 Grande Randonnée GR5 La Traversée des Alpes - De la Maurienne a l´Ubaye - Franse Alpen | FFRP |
- Uitstekende routegids met gedetailleerde kaarten en een routebeschrijving. Fout lopen wordt op deze manier wel erg moeilijk. Met symbolen is weergegeven welke voorzieningen (openbaar vervoer / winkels / overnachtingen) er zijn langs of bij de route. Een nadeel is dat de daadwerkelijke adressen dan weer niet genoemd worden. Parc naturel... Read more
- Also available from:
- IGN, France
France
2012
- La Traversée des Alpes - De la Maurienne à l'Ubaye - 531
- Guide FFRandonnée La Traversée des Alpes - De la Maurienne à l'Ubaye - 531. GR 5, 56. 250 km de sentiers GR.9 jours de Modane à Larche par le GR® 5, autant pour le tour de l'Ubaye.Depuis Modane et la vallée de la Maurienne, l'itinéraire descend vers le mont Thabor et la ligne de partage des eaux... Read more
Germany
2012
- Kürschner, Iris: Hüttentrekking Westalpen. Frankreich - Italien
- 30 Mehrtagestouren von Hütte zu Hütte Rother Selection. 2., Auflage 2012. Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2012
- Wandelgids Huttentochten - Hüttentrekking Westalpen Frankreich – Italien | Rother |
- Een mooi boek met meerdaagse tochten langs berghutten in Fraknrijk en Italië. De uitgever - Rother - staat bekend om zijn kwalitatief uitstekedne boeken. 272 Seiten mit 188 Farbabbildungen 37 Höhenprofile, 35 Tourenkarten im Maßstab 1:75.000, 1:100.000, 1:125.000, 1:150.000 und 1:200.000, eine Übersichtskarte Wild und urtümlich, so... Read more
Netherlands
2012
- Wandelgids Vogesen - Durchquerung (Vogezen): Auf den GR 53 / 5 von Wissembourg nach Belfort in 37 Etappen | Rother |
- In 37 etappes over de Lange Astands Wandelingen GR 53, GR 5 en GR 531 van Wissembourg naar Giromagny en Masevaux door de prachtige Vogezen. Goed alternatief voor de langverwachte maar nog steeds niet uitgekomen Crete des Vosges wandelgids van FFRP. Duitse samenvatting: Die Vogesen sind nicht nur eines der urwüchsigsten Mittelgebirge in... Read more
Netherlands
2011
- Wandelgids Trekking in the Alps | Cicerone |
- All the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned is celebrated here, while the 20 treks described include well-known classics as well as newly-created multi-day routes. The eight talented writers and photographers brought together to produce this book are among the most experienced of Alpine trekkers. Between them they have... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
- Cicerone Press , United Kingdom
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2011
- Trekking in the Alps
- An inspirational guidebook to 20 classic treks in the Alps. As well as introducing new hiking areas in the Alps, classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc, and Chamonix to Zermatt are included. Trekking in the Alps is immensely satisfying, and this book celebrates the rich and scenic diversity for which this great mountain range is renowned. Read more
United Kingdom
2011
- Alps Trekking
- An inspirational walking guide to 20 summer treks in the European Alps in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovenia, by 8 Alpine trekking experts, including the classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and lesser-known routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps. All the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned is... Read more
France
2009
- Traversées du Tarn - 810
- Guide FFRandonnée Traversées du Tarn - 810 - GR Pays - GR 36, 7, 653, 46 - 712 km de sentiers GRPas moins de 4 GR, 5 GR de Pays, une voie romaine, deux voies vertes et de nombreux autres sentiers sont décrits dans ce topo-guide pour plus de 50 jours de randonnée. Autant de manières pour le randonneur de... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2009
- Wandelgids ref 810 Traversées du Tarn | FFRP |
- Franstalige wandelgids met een beschrijving van een aantal dagtochten / rondwandelingen. Uitstekende beschrijvingen met duidelijk kaartmateriaal. Mislopen is nauwelijks mogelijk, maar ja .. de franse taal! Ook praktische informatie staat in deze gids. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans - nederlandse... Read more
Netherlands
2009
- Wandelgids ref 514 Les GR de Lorraine | FFRP |
- Wandel de GR 5 over een nieuw traject - Les GR de Lorraine: GR 5, GR 5F, GR 5G, GR 507, GR - 8 lange afstandspaden in Lotharingen. Fout lopen wordt op deze manier wel erg moeilijk. Met symbolen is weergegeven welke voorzieningen (openbaar vervoer / winkels / overnachtingen) er zijn langs of bij de routes. Een nadeel is dat de daadwerkelijke... Read more
- Also available from:
- IGN, France
France
2009
- Les GR de Lorraine - 514
- Guide FFRandonnée Les GR de Lorraine - 514 - GR 5,5F,5G,507,7,14,714,703 - 1585 Km de sentiers GR1 585 km couvrant huit GR pour découvrir toutes les particularités souvent ignorées ou méconnues de la Lorraine.Les vallées de la Moselle et de la Meurthe s’offrent aux randonneurs venant du Nord de... Read more
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Netherlands
2009
- Wandelgids GR 5 MER DU NORD-MEDITERRANNEE Noordzee - Middellandse Zee ARDENNEN Wallonië en Groothertogdom Luxemburg deel Ardennen (Maastricht - Diekirch ) |
- LET OP: deze wandelgids van dit deel van de GR5 is alleen nog maar in het Frans leverbaar. De Nederlandstalige versie is geheel uitverkocht, niet meer te bestellen en er komt naar alle waarschijnlijkheid geen nieuwe versie in het Nederlands!Uitstekende routegids met gedetailleerde kaarten en een routebeschrijving. Fout lopen wordt op deze... Read more
Maps
France
2012
- La Traversée des Alpes - De la Maurienne à l'Ubaye - 531
- Guide FFRandonnée La Traversée des Alpes - De la Maurienne à l'Ubaye - 531. GR 5, 56. 250 km de sentiers GR.9 jours de Modane à Larche par le GR® 5, autant pour le tour de l'Ubaye.Depuis Modane et la vallée de la Maurienne, l'itinéraire descend vers le mont Thabor et la ligne de partage des eaux... Read more
France
2009
- Traversées du Tarn - 810
- Guide FFRandonnée Traversées du Tarn - 810 - GR Pays - GR 36, 7, 653, 46 - 712 km de sentiers GRPas moins de 4 GR, 5 GR de Pays, une voie romaine, deux voies vertes et de nombreux autres sentiers sont décrits dans ce topo-guide pour plus de 50 jours de randonnée. Autant de manières pour le randonneur de... Read more
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart / Fietskaart Luxembourg Nord - Luxemburg Noord (1:50.000) |
- Heel duidelijke detailkaart van het noordelijk deel van Luxemburg met veel topografische informatie, maar ook - dat is ook de kracht van deze kaart - met ingetekende lange afstands wandelroutes, jeugdherbergen, campings etc. Dus met veel toeristische informatie! Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Luxembourg North
- One of two topographic survey maps of Luxembourg at 1:50,000, with contours at 10-metres intervals and additional relief shading. An overprint highlights long-distance footpaths, including the GR5 (E-2), cycle routes, and various places of interest, including campsites. The map covers an area of approximately 53 x 43 km / 33 x 27 miles. Map... Read more
United Kingdom
- Luxembourg North
- One of two topographic survey maps of Luxembourg at 1:50,000, with contours at 10-metres intervals and additional relief shading. An overprint highlights long-distance footpaths, including the GR5 (E-2), cycle routes, and various places of interest, including campsites. The map covers an area of approximately 53 x 43 km / 33 x 27 miles. Map... Read more
United Kingdom
- Luxembourg South
- One of two topographic survey maps of Luxembourg at 1:50,000, with contours at 10-metres intervals and additional relief shading. An overprint highlights long-distance footpaths, including the GR5 (E-2), cycle routes, and various places of interest, including campsites. The map covers an area of approximately 53 x 43 km / 33 x 27 miles. Map... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart / Fietskaart Luxembourg Sud - Luxemburg Zuid (1:50.000) |
- Heel duidelijke detailkaart van het noordelijk deel van Luxemburg met veel topografische informatie, maar ook - dat is ook de kracht van deze kaart - met ingetekende lange afstands wandelroutes, jeugdherbergen, campings etc. Dus met veel toeristische informatie! Read more
Forum
- patacon 2012-11-29 01:15:39
the other way around
- I want to hike the GR5 but I want to start in feburary. So I think it is smarter to walk the trail the other way around because of the temperatures. Does anybody knows if the trail is marked in both direction?
Thanks for answers :) -
- Henk Nouws 2012-11-30 15:37:07
- Yes, the path is marked in both directions.
But if you start in Nice in February, you will soon run into problems because of the snow. Even when you start in May, you should be prepared for snow in the higher parts of the Alps.
On the other side, starting south and walking north is generally a good idea if you like to make pictures, because you will have the sun in your back.