Traverse the full length of the GR10 Sentier des Pyrénées, one of Europe’s most challenging and spectacular long-distance trails. Stretching 954km (593miles) from Hendaye on the Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, the route crosses the dramatic French Pyrenees, passing rugged peaks, deep glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and picturesque Pyrenean villages along the way.

This comprehensive guidebook is your essential companion for planning and completing the GR10, whether you aim to walk the entire trail (typically 7 weeks) or tackle it in shorter sections. Described west to east in 55 stages of 7–27km (4–1 miles) each, the book combines detailed route descriptions with practical planning advice, topographical mapping and essential logistical information, helping experienced hikers approach this iconic trek with confidence.

• Stage-by-stage route descriptions covering the full 954km (593 miles) GR10, enabling careful itinerary planning for a complete through-walk or sectional trips
• Clear 1:100,000 mapping and gradient profiles for each stage to support navigation on varied mountain terrain across the Pyrenees and well-marked paths
• Practical guidance on planning and preparation, including when to go, equipment, accommodation options, camping and resupply in key towns like Estaing, Gavarnie and Aulus-les-Bains
• Suggested alternatives and diversions are provided for exposed sections like Corniche des Alhas or using the beautiful Tour du Val d’Azun, helping hikers manage weather and safety.
• Highlights of the Pyrenean scenery and experiences are included with details on the history and geology of the area, from the rolling hills of the Basque country to the limestone peaks of the High Pyrenees and the Mediterranean-influenced landscapes near Banyuls-sur-Mer

Walk through wildflower meadows and rugged mountain passes, savour the stunning panoramas of peaks such as Pic du Midi d’Ossau and Vignemale, and experience the unique character of the French Pyrenees. With reliable mapping, expert planning advice and stage detail in your pack, Trekking the GR10 equips you to plan, enjoy and complete one of Europe’s most rewarding long-distance mountain treks.

GR10 – Quick Facts

Trail name: GR10 Sentier des Pyrénées
Location: French Pyrenees, France
Total distance: 954 km / 593 miles
Typical duration: 7 weeks (full trail); sectional trips possible
Start: Hendaye (Atlantic Coast)
Finish: Banyuls-sur-Mer (Mediterranean Coast)
Trail type: Long-distance, coast-to-coast mountain trail
Difficulty: Challenging (suitable for experienced hikers; sectional walking possible for moderate fitness)
Terrain: Mountain passes, alpine meadows, glacial valleys, forests, rocky ridges
Navigation: Mostly well-waymarked; guidebook and mapping recommended
Best season: June to September (summer to early autumn)
Accommodation: Mountain huts, guesthouses, small hotels; camping possible

Author Top Tip

“It is strongly recommended that you use two walking poles and learn to use them effectively to prevent a careless slip on a steep traverse. This is in addition to the other uses of walking poles, such as crossing snowfields, stream crossings, descending steep slopes, clearing vegetation and warding off dogs. Poles might also help in the extremely unlikely event of meeting a bear or the more likely encounter with a bull, or even for use as an emergency tent pole.”

- Stuart Butler, one of the authors of Trekking the GR10

CONTENTS

Overview map

Map key

Mountain safety

Author’s preface

Introduction

The stages

The route

From the Atlantic to the Mediterrean

Wildlife

The weather and when to go

Getting there and back

Equipment

Culture and languages

Accommodation

Camping

Fuel

Water

Swimming

Using this guide

Section 1 Hendaye-Plage to Etsaut

Stage 1 Hendaye-Plage to Olhette

Stage 2 Olhette to Ainhoa

Stage 3 Ainhoa to Bidarray

Stage 4 Bidarray to Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry

Stage 5 Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Stage 6 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Gîte d’étape Kaskoleta

Stage 7 Gîte d’étape Kaskoleta to Gîte d’étape Chalets d’Iraty

Stage 8 Gîte d’étape Chalets d’Iraty to Logibar

Stage 9 Logibar to Sainte-Engrâce (Senta)

Stage 10 Sainte-Engrâce (Senta) to Refuge Jeandel

Stage 11 Refuge Jeandel to Lescun

Stage 12 Lescun to Etsaut

Section 2 Etsaut to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Stage 13 Etsaut to Gabas

Stage 14 Gabas to Gourette

Stage 15 Gourette to Arrens-Marsous

Stage 16 Arrens-Marsous to Refuge d’Ilhéou

Stage 17 Refuge d’Ilhéou to Cauterets

Stage 17A Refuge d’Ilhéou to the Pont d’Espagne (via Col de la Haugade)

Stage 18 Cauterets to Refuge des Oulètes de Gaube

Stage 18A Cauterets to Luz-Saint-Sauveur (via Col de Riou)

Stage 19 Refuge des Oulètes de Gaube to Chalet-refuge la Grange de Holle

Stage 20 Chalet-refuge la Grange de Holle to Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Stage 21 Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Barèges

Stage 22 Barèges to Refuge-Hôtel de l’Oule

Stage 23 Refuge-Hôtel de l’Oule to Vielle-Aure

Stage 24 Vielle-Aure to Germ

Stage 25 Germ to Lac d’Oô

Stage 26 Lac d’Oô to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Section 3 Bagnères-de-Luchon to Mérens-les-Vals

Stage 27 Bagnères-de-Luchon to Artigue

Stage 28 Artigue to Fos

Stage 29 Fos to Refuge de l’Étang d’Araing

Stage 30 Refuge de l’Étang d’Araing to Eylie-d’en-Haut

Stage 31 Eylie-d’en-Haut to Maison du Valier, Pla de la Lau

Stage 31A Eylie-d’en-Haut to Bonac

Stage 32 Maison du Valier, Pla de la Lau to Esbintz

Stage 32A Bonac to Esbintz

Stage 32B Col de la Core to Estours Valley

Stage 33 Esbintz to Refuge d’Aula

Stage 33A Esbintz to Saint-Lizier-d’Ustou using the Tour du Val du Garbet

Stage 34 Refuge d’Aula to Rouze

Stage 35 Rouze to Saint-Lizier-d’Ustou

Stage 36 Saint-Lizier-d’Ustou to Aulus-les-Bains

Stage 37 Aulus-les-Bains to Refuge des Étangs de Bassiès

Stage 38 Refuge des Étangs de Bassiès to Marc

Stage 39 Marc to Goulier

Stage 40 Goulier to Siguer

Stage 41 Siguer to Plateau de Beille

Stage 42 Plateau de Beille to Refuge du Rulhe

Stage 43 Refuge du Rulhe to Mérens-les-Vals

Section 4 Mérens-les-Vals to Banyuls-sur-Mer

Stage 44 Mérens-les-Vals to Refuge des Bésines

Stage 45 Refuge des Bésines to Refuge des Bouillouses

Stage 46 Refuge des Bouillouses to Planès

Stage 47 Planès to Refuge du Ras de la Carança

Stage 48 Refuge du Ras de la Carança to Mantet

Stage 49 Mantet to Refuge de Mariailles

Stage 50 Refuge de Mariailles to Refuge des Cortalets

Stage 51 Refuge des Cortalets to Gîte-refuge de Batère

Stage 52 Gîte-refuge de Batère to Gîte d’étape l’Ecogîte de la Palette

Stage 53 Gîte d’étape l’Ecogîte de la Palette to Las Illas

Stage 54 Las Illas to Col de l’Ouillat

Stage 55 Col de l’Ouillat to Banyuls-sur-Mer

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Facilities table

Appendix C Sources of information

Seasons

Best July to October (June in a low snow year)

Centres

Hendaye-Plage on the Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean through the French Pyrenees.

Difficulty

The GR10 is extremely well waymarked following good mountain paths with short sections of boulderfield and occasional very easy scrambling. It is tough because there is more steep climb and descent than on many long-distance paths. Good network of inexpensive accommodation for those who prefer not to camp. Frequent resupply possible

Must See

The GR10 starts with the rolling hills of the Basque country leading to the High Pyrenees including Pic du Midi d'Ossau, Vignemale and Gavarnie. The remote Ariège with Mont Vallier follows and Canigou dominates the approach to the Mediterranean. Wildflower meadows are magnificent throughout.

January 2024

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