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
☐▽GR 5
☐▽GR 5 Nederland
☐.GR 5 NL - 1 - Hoek van Holland-Maassluis Oranjeplassen, 13km
☐.GR 5 NL - 2 - Maassluis Oranjeplassen-Brielle, 19km
☐.GR 5 NL - 3 - Brielle-Rockanje, 21km
☐.GR 5 NL - 4 - Rockanje-Goedereede, 14km
☐.GR 5 NL - 5 - Goedereede-Herkingen, 18km
☐.GR 5 NL - 6 - Herkingen-Nieuw Vossemeer, 24km
☐.GR 5 NL - 7 - Nieuw Vossemeer-Bergen op Zoom, 24km
☐.GR 5 NL - 8 - Bergen op Zoom-België, 8.8km
☐.GR 5 Belgie, Vlaanderen, 237km
☐.GR 5 Belgique, Wallonie, 146km
☐.GR 5 Luxembourg, 175km
☐.GR 5 Lorraine, 303km
☐▽GR 5 Vosges, 275km
☐.GR 5 - Variante Kastelberg, 8.1km
☐.GR 5 - Variante Belfort, 23km
☐.GR 5 Jura, 260km
☐.GR 5 Alpes Côte d'Azur, 617km
☐rond omheining Kalmthoutse Heide, 3km
☐Liaison GR5 Thionville-Bellevue, 8.1km
☐GR5 variant door Hasselt, 14km
☐GR5 Variant Demerbroeken, 2.7km
☐GR 5 liaison Fraipont-Mery, 6.7km
☐GR Liaison GR 5-573-576, 3.8km
☐GR 5 Variante Genk-Centrum, 8.1km
☐Historical GR5, 3.9km
☐GR5 Variante Belfort, 9.9km
☐GR5 Variante, 19km
☐GR5 oud, 112km
☐GR5 Variante Morteau, 39km
☐GR5-Var, 2.8km
☐GR 57 - Liaison Parc de la Boverie - GR 5 à Barchon - Ed 8 - Août 2017, 14km

Opinions

Rate 7.8 | 6 votes | No 26. in France
  • 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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More hike reports…

Books

Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2018
  • The GR5 Trail - Benelux and Lorraine
  • Guidebook to walking the northern section of the GR5 - 1000km starting in Hoek van Holland and passing through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Lorraine to Schirmeck in France. A long-distance route covering a variety of cultures and landscapes. The full GR5 from the North Sea to the Mediterranean is one of the world's greatest trails. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
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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
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • La Grande Traversee 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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • La Traversee der Alpes La Vanoise - PN de la Vanoise GR5/GR55
  • La Vanoise (including Parc National de la Vanoise), FFRP topoguide Ref. no. 530, covering the second section of the GR5 in the French Alps between Landry and Modane, its lower variant on the GR5E along the river Arc, plus the traverse of the Vanoise Massif along the GR55. The guide also includes several variants linking these three main trails.... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Vuoristovaellus Chamonix'sta Nizzaan
  • Kirjassa kuvataan kesalla 2014 tehtya vaellusta Chamonix'sta Nizzaan. Kyseessa on Ranskan Alppien yli kulkeva kuuluisa GR5-reitti, jolla on pituutta useita satoja kilometreja. Talla reissulla siihen kaytettiin kolmisen viikkoa. Kirjassa kuvataan matkan varrella eteen tulevia tilanteita seka reitilla tavattujen ympari maailmaa tulleiden... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Vuoristovaellus Chamonix'sta Nizzaan
  • Kirjassa kuvataan kesalla 2014 tehtya vaellusta Chamonix'sta Nizzaan. Kyseessa on Ranskan Alppien yli kulkeva kuuluisa GR5-reitti, jolla on pituutta useita satoja kilometreja. Talla reissulla siihen kaytettiin kolmisen viikkoa. Kirjassa kuvataan matkan varrella eteen tulevia tilanteita seka reitilla tavattujen ympari maailmaa tulleiden... Read more
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Bol.com
Netherlands
2013
  • The GR5 Trail
  • The final section of the GR5, also known as the Grande Traversee des Alpes, runs from the shores of Lac Leman, over the French Alps, to reach the Mediterranean coastline at Nice. The route measures 674 kilometres (420 miles) and can be covered in a month, or split over a series of summer trips. This guidebook also includes some great variant... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2013
  • The GR5 Trail
  • The final section of the GR5, also known as the Grande Traversee des Alpes, runs from the shores of Lac Leman, over the French Alps, to reach the Mediterranean coastline at Nice. The route measures 674 kilometres (420 miles) and can be covered in a month, or split over a series of summer trips. This guidebook also includes some great variant... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2006
  • Schwarzwald - Vogesen
  • Die schönsten und spannendsten Wanderberge im Schwarzwald und in den Vogesen präsentiert dieser Führer in einer Auswahl von 50 Wandervorschlägen für jede Kondition. Vom alpinen Steig am Feldberg, der höchsten Erhebung der deutschen Mittelgebirge, spannt sich der Bogen bis zum Grand Ballon, dem höchsten Berg der Vogesen, vom Belchen als dem... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2006
  • Schwarzwald - Vogesen
  • Die schönsten und spannendsten Wanderberge im Schwarzwald und in den Vogesen präsentiert dieser Führer in einer Auswahl von 50 Wandervorschlägen für jede Kondition. Vom alpinen Steig am Feldberg, der höchsten Erhebung der deutschen Mittelgebirge, spannt sich der Bogen bis zum Grand Ballon, dem höchsten Berg der Vogesen, vom Belchen als dem... Read more
» Click to close
Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2019
  • 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
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» 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
Bol.com
Netherlands
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • An inspirational guide to the delights of Alpine multi-day hikes. With 20 hikes described, including classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Tour of the Vanoise as well as new multi-day routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps, this guide celebrates the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned.The eight talented... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • An inspirational guide to the delights of Alpine multi-day hikes. With 20 hikes described, including classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Tour of the Vanoise as well as new multi-day routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps, this guide celebrates the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned.The eight talented... 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
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
Bol.com
Netherlands
2016
  • The GR5 trail
  • The GR5 is one of the world's most spectacular long-distance trails. This guide describes the route from the shores of Lac L man (lake Geneva) over the Alps and down to the trail's finish at Nice. Interesting variant routes include the stunning GR55 through the Vanoise National Park and the GR52, which crosses the Mercantour National Park to... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • The GR5 trail
  • The GR5 is one of the world's most spectacular long-distance trails. This guide describes the route from the shores of Lac L man (lake Geneva) over the Alps and down to the trail's finish at Nice. Interesting variant routes include the stunning GR55 through the Vanoise National Park and the GR52, which crosses the Mercantour National Park to... 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
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2017
Bol.com
Netherlands
2017
  • The GR5 trail - Vosges and Jura
  • The tranquil Vosges and Jura enjoy rolling hills with far-reaching views, ruined castles, enchanting wine-making villages, forests and spectacular gorges. The GR5/GR53 provides an interesting waymarked route, starting on the GR53 from the quiet hills of the Northern Vosges, and continuing through Alsace, then the Doubs Gorge, up onto the Jura... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2017
  • The GR5 trail - Vosges and Jura
  • The tranquil Vosges and Jura enjoy rolling hills with far-reaching views, ruined castles, enchanting wine-making villages, forests and spectacular gorges. The GR5/GR53 provides an interesting waymarked route, starting on the GR53 from the quiet hills of the Northern Vosges, and continuing through Alsace, then the Doubs Gorge, up onto the Jura... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

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
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
  • 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
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
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
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
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Alsace - Mulhouse - Basel - Altkirch K+F Outdoor Map 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
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Alsace - Colmar - Sélestat - Freiburg im Breisgau - Lahr K+F Outdoor Map 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
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Alsace - Colmar - Selestat 2013
  • 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
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • Tour de l`Oisans et des Ecrins - Parc national des Ecrins GR54/GR541
  • 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:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
  • Tour de l'Oisans et des Ecrins GR54/GR541 2018
  • 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
» Click to close
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.
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  • 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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