GR5

Description

    5
  1. Name GR5 (GR5)
  2. Length of trail 2,600 km, 1,616 miles
  3. Length in days 130 days
  4. Start of trail Bergen op Zoom (Nl)
  5. End of trail Nice (F)
  6. Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
  7. Hut tour grading T1, Walk

GR5, Réfuge la Balme, Mont Blanc

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.

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Select some tracks
☐▽Lange afstands wandeling GR5
☐.Nederlands Kustpad deel 1, noordelijke tak, 62km
☐.Nederlands Kustpad deel 1, oostelijke tak, 66km
☐.GR 5 Belgie, Vlaanderen, 235km
☐.GR 5 Belgique, Wallonie, 146km
☐.GR 5 Luxembourg, 174km
☐.GR 5 Lorraine, 296km
☐▽European long distance path E2 - Alsace, 229km
☐.E2-variante Belfort, 9.9km
☐.Europese route 2 - variante Belfort, 19km
☐.GR 5 Jura, 258km
☐rond omheining Kalmthoutse Heide, 3km
☐Liaison GR5 Thionville-Bellevue, 8.1km
☐GR 5 Vosges, 272km
☐GR5 variant door Hasselt, 14km
☐GR5 Variant Demerbroeken, 2.7km
☐GR 5 liaison Fraipont-Mery, 5.7km
☐GR Liaison GR 5-573-576, 3.8km
☐GR 5 Variante Genk-Centrum, 8.1km
☐GR5 - Variante, 8.1km
☐GR5 Variante Belfort, 9.9km
☐GR5 Variante, 19km
☐GR5 oud, 112km
☐GR5 Variante Morteau, 39km
☐GR5-Var, 2.8km

Opinions

Rate 7.8 | 6 votes | No 9. in Belgium
  • dirkpieter July 1997
  • Rate 8
  • Positive 98 days pure walking with my best friend gerard was of my best experiences!! This 8 is because of a 9 in the french alps, an 8 in the vosges and ardennen in belgium abd a 7 in luxembourg, pays lorraine and parts if the netherlands It is special because you walk to the sea and walk through beautiful national parks!!
  • Kukko June 2013
  • Rate 9
  • Positive Highly recommended! GR5 is most excellent Alpine crossing, from Lake Geneve to Nice and great especially for campers. All the pros and cons, detailed daily information, free camping guide and the eBook: Alone Through the Alps, can be found from my blog at: https://longdistancetrail.wordpress.com/trails/2013-gr5-the-grand-traverse-of-the-alps/
  • Negative Only minor things bothered me, like the language barrier (French). Time to times I would have liked to meet more like-minded long-distance hikers.
  • Ronny April 2015
  • Rate 7
  • Positive Mooie bosrijke wandeling met als orgelpunt de Kalmthoutse heide.
  • pc22
  • Rate 8
  • Positive Very enjoyable mixture of landscapes.... also a very long walk ...which i tackled in two goes / sections
  • Henk Nouws October 1999
  • Rate 8
  • Positive Hiked several parts in Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
More opinions…

Map

Hiking map Belgium GR5 N

Hiking map Belgium GR5 S

Map of GR5 North

Map of GR5 South

Hike Reports

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Books

Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • A book to 20 classic trekking routes in the Alps. Exploring the best trekking areas, outline descriptions and photographs illustrate the classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc, and Chamonix to Zermatt, as well a number of trekking routes in Slovenia, the Italian Dolomites, the French Alps, Austrian Alps and Swiss Alps. Ideal for inspiration. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Stanfords
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
The Book Depository
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
De Zwerver
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
» Click to close
Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2016
  • The GR5 Trail
  • An essential guidebook for walking the GR5 trail, 660km from Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) to Nice or Menton, through the French Alps. Includes all the main variant routes as it passes Mont Blanc, then through the Vanoise, the Queyras and the Mercantour National Parks. Includes accommodation, profiles and maps. Suitable for fairly experienced hikers. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
  • The GR5 Trail
  • An essential guidebook for walking the GR5 trail, 660km from Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) to Nice or Menton, through the French Alps. Includes all the main variant routes as it passes Mont Blanc, then through the Vanoise, the Queyras and the Mercantour National Parks. Includes accommodation, profiles and maps. Suitable for fairly experienced hikers. Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • 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. An essential guidebook for walking the GR5, one of the world's most spectacular long-distance... Read more
» Click to close
Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2017
  • The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura
  • Guidebook to a 687km (427 mile) trek through eastern France, traversing the Vosges and the Haut-Jura plateau. The route follows the GR53 from Wissembourg to Schirmeck, before picking up the central section of the GR5 from Schirmeck to Nyon on Lake Geneva, taking in wooded and grassy hills, river gorges and fascinating castle ruins. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2017
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Wandelgids The GR5 Trail Vosges and Jura | Cicerone
  • Uitstekende wandelgids van dit geweldige gebied. goed beschreven met veel praktische informatie om de route te kunnen lopen, inclusief redelijke kaarten. This guidebook describes a long-distance walking route through the delightful Vosges and Jura. Situated in France near the eastern border, the three regional parks of the Ballons des Vosges,... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2015
  • GR5/GR53: Traversée du Massif des Vosges FFRP Topo-guide No. 502
  • Traversée du Massif des Vosges, FFRP topoguide Ref. No. 502, covering 542km along the GR5 from Lauterbourg across the Vosges Mountains to Feschel-le-Châtel. Current edition of this title was published in May 2015.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonnée pédestre) TOPOGUIDES: published in a handy A5 paperback format, the guides are... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2015
  • Wandelgids 502 GR5 - GR53 Traversée du Massif des Vosges - Vogezen | 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers en vaak aangevuld... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2014
  • GR54/GR541: Tour de l`Oisans et des Ecrins FFRP Topo-guide No. 508
  • Tour de l`Oisans et des Ecrins, FFRP topoguide, Ref. No. 508, covering the 11 to 13 days long tour of the Ecrins massif along the GR54, including the local section of the GR5. Variants along GRs 54A, 54B, 54C, and 541 offer less demanding circuits of two to three days. Current edition of this title was published in April 2014.To see other... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2014
  • Wandelgids 508 Tour de l'Oisans et des Ecrins | FFRP
  • 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers, soms aangevuld met websites/mailadressen. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2014
  • GR59/GR9/GRP: Tours et Traversées de l`Ain FFRP Topo-guide No. 901
  • Tours et Traversées de l`Ain, FFRP topoguide, Ref. No. 901, covering in all 949km of hiking trails in the French Jura between Lons-le-Saunier and the confluence of the Ain and the Rhône, including sections of GR 5, 9 and 9A. Current edition of this title was published in June 2014.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonnée pédestre)... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2014
  • Wandelgids 901 Tours et traversées dans l'Ain GR9 | 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • La Grande Travesee du Jura GR5/GR9/GTJ
  • La Grande Travesée du Jura, FFRP topoguide Ref. no. 512, covering the GTJ along the Jura Mountains in France from Nommay to Culoz, plus several variants off the main route including parts of the GR5 and GR9 – in all 509kms of hiking trails. Current edition of this title was published in March 2014.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers en vaak aangevuld... Read more
» Click to close
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2014
  • Wandelgids 530 GR5 Parc national de la Vanoise - 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers en meestal aangevuld... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
2014
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2009
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Wandelgids GR5 St-Hippolyte - Nyon (Jura) | De Wandelende Cartograaf
  • Route / Traject: Jura .... St Hyppolyte - Nyon Zowaar: prachtige en duidelijke Nederlandstalige gidsjes van telkens een traject van 2 weken. De boekjes beschikken over gedetailleerde kaarten in kleur met ingetekende GR5-route, hoogteprofielen, GPS-coördinaten en een Nederlandstalige routebeschrijving. Er is geen informatie over de omgeving... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2009
  • Wandelgids 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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Wandelgids GR5 Noord-Vogezen | De Wandelende Cartograaf
  • Route / Traject: Vic-sur-Seille - Ribeauvillé Zowaar: prachtige en duidelijke Nederlandstalige gidsjes van telkens een traject van 2 weken. De boekjes beschikken over gedetailleerde kaarten in kleur met ingetekende GR5-route, hoogteprofielen, GPS-coördinaten en een Nederlandstalige routebeschrijving. Er is geen informatie over de omgeving... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2012
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Alsace: Colmar - Sélestat - Guebwiller 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 5
  • The central part of Alsace around Colmar and Sélestat on a GPS compatible, double-sided map at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey printed on sturdy, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycling routes, sites for other recreational activities, various accommodation options, restaurants and ferme-auberge locations,... Read more
Stanfords
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Alsace - Strasbourg - Saverne - Barr - Offenburg K+F Outdoor Map 7
  • The central part of Alsace around Strasbourg and Saverne on a GPS compatible, double-sided map at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey printed on sturdy, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycling routes, sites for other recreational activities, various accommodation options, restaurants and ferme-auberge... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • France: FFRP Topo-guides to Long-distance Footpaths
  • Light, high quality A5 paperback guides from the FFRP - the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre, to the long-distance GR hiking trails, with colour extracts from IGN`s 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 topographic survey maps overprinted with the route, plus a table indicating different facilities along the route, contact details for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2016
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • France: Kummerly + Frey Recreational Maps of the Vosges Mountains and Alsace
  • Vosges Mountains and southern Alsace on GPS compatible, double-sided maps from Kümmerly+Frey printed on sturdy, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycling routes, sites for other recreational activities, various accommodation options, restaurants and ferme-auberge locations, etc. Scales are either 1:50,000... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • Du Léman à la Vanoise - par le Mont Blanc et le Beaufortain GR5
  • The first, 206-km long Alpine section of the GR5 from Lake Geneva, past Mont Blanc and across the Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme, to Landry north of the Vanoise Massif, FFRP topo-guide ref. no. 504, with colour maps from the IGN TOP25 series at 1:25,000. Also included is a tour of the Dents du Midi. Current edition of this title was published in... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Wandelgids 504 GR5 Du Léman à la Vanoise | 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers en vaak aangevuld... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mercantour & Alpi-Marittime Didier Richard 07
  • Mercantour National Park and the Maritime Alps on a large, double-sided, contoured and GPS compatible map from Editions Didier Richard highlighting local walking trails and long-distance hiking routes including the GR5. Coverage extends from well north of Col de Larch to Sospel, Levens and Roquestéron in the mountains north of the French... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • Le Mercantour - Vallee des Merveilles GR5/GR52/52A
  • Le Mercantour: Larche – Nice/Menton, Vallée des Merveilles, FFRP topoguide Ref. No. 507, covering 450km of long-distance routes: the last section of the GR5 in the French Alps from Larche to Nice, an alternative variant off GR5 along the GR52 leading via the Vallée des Merveilles to Menton, plus GR52A – Panoramique du Mecantour from Col du... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Wandelgids 507 Traversée du Mercantour - GR 5 -52 -52A | FFRP
  • 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. De gids bevat een lijst met overnachtingsadressen inclusief telefoonnummers, soms aangevuld met websites/mailadressen. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Vanoise National Park - Beaufortain Didier Richard 04
  • Vanoise National Park and the Beaufortain Massif in the French Alps at 1:60,000 on a contoured and GPS compatible map from Didier Richard with a base derived from IGN’s topographic survey, highlighting both local hiking routes and the GR network of long-distance paths, gîtes and mountain refuges, interesting natural and cultural sites, etc. The... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart 04 Vanoise - Beaufortain | Libris
  • Gebaseerd op de topografische gegevens van IGN (de Franse topografische dienst) heeft deze kaartenserie een uitstekend kaartbeeld van delen van de bekende wandelgebieden van Frankrijk. Hoogtelijnen, gebruik van schaduw en kleur, de leesbaarheid: prima kaart! De GR en GRP routes staan ingetekend, maar ook de kleinere wandelpaden. Symbolen voor... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Autour du Thabor: Modane - Bardonecchia - Briançon
  • Mont Thabor area at 1:50,000 on a contoured and GPS compatible map from Editions Didier Richard in their series of walking maps of French Alps and other popular hiking regions of south-eastern France. Coverage extends from Modane in the north to Briançon in the south-east, and west to Valloire.The base map with cartography from the IGN has... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Alsace: Mulhouse - Basel - Fribourg 50K Kümmerly + Frey Map No. 2
  • The southern part of Alsace around Mulhouse and Guebwiller on a GPS compatible, double-sided map at 1:50,000 from Kümmerly+Frey printed on sturdy, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper; contoured, with hiking and cycling routes, sites for other recreational activities, various accommodation options, restaurants and ferme-auberge... Read more
More maps…

Forum

  3. Cancel
  • bbmoro 2016-04-17 18:52:41
  • description GR5
  • hello! Where can I find the descriptive of the netherlands GR5 section ,please ?
    Thanks
    • Traildino 2016-04-17 21:28:26
    • It's called Deltapad, or Nederlands Kustpad. http://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-Europe/countries-Netherlands/trails-Deltapad. The GR5 uses the northern and eastern parts of this path.
    • Wandel Verslagen van de GR5 en de Cape Wrath Trail. 2016-04-17 22:30:39
    • Hi. I already posted several walking daybooks from the gr5, Next week I will walk the dutch part between Maassluis and Bergen op Zoom. The hicking report will be posted arounf the first of May.
      http://www.traildino.nl/user/25474

Cancel
  • Thomas B 2013-05-31 11:00:32
  • RUNNING the GR5
  • Hello everyone,

    My name is Thomas and i'm planning to run from Brussels to Nice.

    I'm new to traildino and was wondering if these trails were " runable".

    What do you say ?
    • Henk Nouws 2013-06-03 12:37:17
    • Well, it depends on you. The path is not hard covered most of the time. And in some places it will be too steep for running. Best is to compare the GR5 with any other hiking trail you know of that is used for running challenges. Some people manage to run everywhere in every terrain!!
Cancel
  • 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.
    • bbmoro 2016-04-17 18:54:00
    • Hello! Do you have the GR5 netherlands section?
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More questions…