Discover one of Europe’s best alpine treks on the French Alps section of the GR5, a classic long-distance route from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) to the Mediterranean coast at Nice or Menton. Spanning around 600 km (373 miles), this section of the GR5 weaves its way through some of the Alps’ most spectacular landscapes, crossing high mountain passes, glacial valleys and traditional alpine villages. Passing through celebrated regions such as the Vanoise, Queyras, and Mercantour National Parks, the GR5 is a trek that combines impressive scenery with well-defined paths, appealing to adventurous hikers with a strong fitness base and a love of long-distance walking.

This expertly written Cicerone guidebook is the essential companion for planning and completing the GR5, whether you intend to walk the entire north–south traverse of the French Alps in one continuous journey or break the route into manageable sections. The book describes the trail in 28 stages (15–29 km/9–18 miles each), and includes transport options for those who want to walk only part of the route or modify their itinerary. Comprehensive descriptions cover the main GR5 line as well as important variations such as the GR55 high-level route through Vanoise and the optional GR52 finish to Menton on the Mediterranean.

• Each of the 28 stages includes detailed route descriptions and 1:100,000 mapping, supported by clear elevation profiles to help you plan each day through the French Alps
• Tailor your trek with flexible itinerary options including 28-, 31- and 40-day schedules, making it easy to adapt the full route to your pace, fitness and available time or opt for a section hike
• Comprehensive accommodation listings for each stage, including accommodation type, contact details and location, to support advance planning and daily logistics
• Downloadable GPX files for use on smartphones and GPS devices, providing a reliable digital navigation option 
• Practical advice on alpine weather and safety considerations, essential for long-distance walking in high mountain environments

Take on the GR5 and discover one of Europe’s most spectacular long-distance treks. With careful planning, practical advice, and detailed guidance at your side, you can embrace the adventure, navigate with confidence, and enjoy the French Alps at a pace that suits you.  

Also available: This book is one of three Cicerone GR5 guides, alongside The GR5 Trail – Vosges and Jura and The GR5 Trail – Benelux and Lorraine, covering the full route from the Low Countries to the Mediterranean.

GR5: French Alps - Quick Facts

Trail name: GR5 Trail – French Alps section 
Location: French Alps, France 
Total distance: ~600 km / 373 miles 
Typical duration: 28–40 days (full section); shorter itineraries possible 
Start: Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) 
Finish: Nice or Menton (Mediterranean coast) 
Trail type: Well-marked long-distance route with optional variations (GR55 high-level route, GR52 finish) 
Difficulty: Moderate to very challenging, depending on stage and route variant 
Terrain: High mountain passes, glacial valleys, alpine villages, forest trails, well-defined paths 
Navigation: Horizontal red and white stripe waymarks at intervals. Maps and GPX files helpful 
Best season: June to September (alpine conditions) 
Accommodation: Refuges, gîtes, hotels, and other mountain lodgings; advance booking recommended

Author Top Tip: the best time to go

“It is primarily a summer trek, and a typical Alpine summer will be blessed with plenty of warm, sunny days, tempered by cool breezes on high cols, with views of dazzling snow-capped peaks rising above colourful, flowery slopes. Lodgings, food and drink are available at regular intervals; there is good signposting and waymarking, and the chance to get close to a variety of wildlife – all ensuring that a walk along the GR5 will provide memories that will last for a lifetime.” 

- Paddy Dillon, author of The GR5 Trail - Through the French Alps

Map key

Mountain safety

Overview profile/staging options

Route summary tables

Introduction

Walking the GR5

Alpine Traverses

Who Walks the GR5?

Route Outline

North–South/South–North

Timings

Waymarking

GR5 Geology

Alpine Flowers

Alpine Wildlife

Alpine Farming

Pastous

Language

Travel to the Alps

Travel Around the Alps

Services on the GR5

Accommodation

Food and Drink

Telephones

Path Conditions

Alpine Weather

When to Walk the GR5

Kit Check

Maps

Currency and Costs

Emergencies

Key Points

Section 1 Lac Léman to Les Houches

Stage 1           St-Gingolph to La Chapelle-d’Abondance (direct route)

Stage 1a         Thonon-les-Bains to Vinzier (alternative Day 1)

Stage 1b         Vinzier to La Chapelle-d’Abondance (alternative Day 2)

Stage 2           La Chapelle-d’Abondance to Chésery

Stage 3           Chésery to Samoëns

Stage 4           Samoëns to Refuge Moëde Anterne

Stage 5           Refuge Moëde Anterne to Les Houches

Section 2 Les Houches to Landry

Stage 6           Les Houches to Les Contamines

Stage 6a         Les Houches to Les Contamines (via Col de Tricot)

Stage 7           Les Contamines to Plan de la Lai

Stage 8           Plan de la Lai to Landry

Section 3 Landry to Modane

GR5 Main route

Stage 9           Landry to Refuge d’Entre-le-Lac

Stage 10         Refuge d’Entre-le-Lac to Val d’Isère

Stage 11         Val d’Isère to Bessans (via Col de l’Iseran)

Stage 11a       Val d’Isère to Bessans (via Col des Fours)

Stage 12         Bessans to Refuge du Plan du Lac    

Stage 13         Refuge du Plan du Lac to le Montana

Stage 14         Le Montana to Modane/Fourneaux

GR55 High-level route (Refuge d’Entre-le-Lac to Modane)

Stage 1           Refuge d’Entre-le-Lac to Refuge d’Entre Deux Eaux

Stage 2           Refuge d’Entre Deux Eaux to Roc de la Pêche

Stage 3           Roc de la Pêche to Modane/Fourneaux

GR5E Low-level route (Bonneval-sur-Arc to Modane)

Stage 1           Bonneval-sur-Arc to Termignon

Stage 2           Termignon to Modane/Fourneaux

Section 4 Modane to Ceillac

Stage 15         Modane/Fourneaux to Refuge du Mont Thabor

Stage 16         Refuge du Mont Thabor to Roubion

Stage 17         Roubion to Briançon

Stage 18         Briançon to Brunissard

Stage 19         Brunissard to Ceillac

Section 5 Ceillac to St-Dalmas

Stage 20         Ceillac to La Barge/Maljasset

Stage 21         La Barge/Maljasset to Larche

Stage 22         Larche to Bousieyas

Stage 23         Bousieyas to Auron

Stage 24         Auron to Refuge de Longon

Stage 25         Refuge de Longon to St-Dalmas

Section 6 St-Dalmas to Nice or Garavan/Menton

GR5 Main route

Stage 26         St-Dalmas to Utelle

Stage 27         Utelle to Aspremont

Stage 28         Aspremont to Nice

GR52 route to Garavan/Menton

Stage 1           St-Dalmas to Le Boréon

Stage 2           Le Boréon to Refuge de Nice

Stage 3           Refuge de Nice to Refuge des Merveilles

Stage 4           Refuge des Merveilles to Camp d’Argent

Stage 5           Camp d’Argent to Sospel

Stage 6           Sospel to Garavan/Menton

Appendix A     Accommodation listings

Appendix B     Basic French for the GR5

Seasons

The GR5 is primarily a summer trek: starting too early or late in the season may lead to problems with snow, and mountain huts may be closed. The French summer holiday runs from mid-July to mid-August: this coincides with the best weather, but accommodation will be busy.

Centres

Geneva; Chamonix; Modane; Briançon; Nice

Difficulty

Despite its length, and despite crossing the Alps, the GR5 is no more than a long mountain walk, paths are well-graded and the route can be varied from 600 to 625km (373–388 miles)

Must See

One of Europe's best Alpine treks crossing the Alps from Lac Leman to Nice. Includes variant routes such as the GR55 through the Vanoise National Park, and the GR52 through Mercantour National Park

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