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There’s no doubt in our mind why the Grand Randonnée 5 (GR5) is considered one of the world’s premier hiking trails. Beginning in the storied alpine heights of the Mont Blanc range, you’ll wind through remote valleys, cross sun-dappled meadows thick with wildflowers, and explore the pristine national parks of the French Alps where marmots, ibexes, and even reintroduced wolves can be found. Your efforts are rewarded with a dazzling finish on the luxurious shores of the French Riviera, where the sparkling azure waters of the Mediterranean are an inviting respite after this strenuous trek. If you want to see the Alps in an entirely new light, then come out of the mountains and head down to the beach in this exquisite journey through France’s finest landscapes.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy challenging alpine hiking along the GR5, rewarded with the enticing blue waters of the French Riviera
• See the Alps in an entirely new light—with fantastic views, including Mont Blanc—a great quest for veterans of the Mont Blanc Circuit!
• Explore La Vanoise, Queyras, and Mercantour—the legendary national parks of the French Alps

Day 1 - Arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, and transfer to the French ski resort town of Megève.

Day 2 - Hike through the grassy Beaufort region to the Col du Joly (6,525') with the Mont Blanc range looming in the distance. Overnight in Arêches.

Day 3 - From the lake at Roselend, hike toward the Col du Couvercle (7,680'), then down to the Tarentaise Valley with panoramic summit views all around. Overnight in Peisey-Nancroix.

Day 4 - Hike in La Vanoise, France’s first national park, with its herds of chamois and ibexes, and thick, rich meadows with fireworks of flowers. Head down to the Champagny Valley and overnight in Pralognan.

Day 5 - A trek to the Col d’Aussois (9,566') the highest pass of the trip, offers spectacular vistas of the Dômes de la Vanoise. Overnight in Aussois.

Day 6 - Follow the GR5 into the larch-covered Vallé Etroite. Overnight in the 17th-century fortress town of Briançon.

Day 7 - Hike above tree line in remote Queyras National Park, where culture and living traditions are untouched, then on to Saint-Veran, highest village in Europe at 6,677 feet.

Day 8 - Step into Italy briefly with an ascent to Col Blanchet (9,504'), then circumnavigate La Tête des Toillies (10,416') and return to France through the Col Longet (8,704'). Overnight in Barcelonnette.

Day 9 - Morning transfer to charming Saint Martin de Vésubie, with a stop at Col de la Bonette, the highest driving pass of Europe, en route. Afternoon free to visit Saint Martin.

Days 10-11 - Hike in Mercantour National Park, with its deep valleys, glistening lakes, wild streams, and abundant fauna. While here you’ll look for Neolithic petroglyphs on the granite walls.

Day 12 - Descend to Sospel, a charming medieval town with a baroque cathedral.

Day 13 - From Sospel, hike down ridges that plunge into the warm waters of the Mediterranean. End the trek by dipping your toes in the sea at Menton.

Day 14 – Transfer to Nice and depart, or join our one day extension in Nice.

Photo Credits
©Luca Baldassare/iStockPhoto