GR5
Description
- Name GR5 (GR5)
- Length of trail 2,600 km, 1,616 miles
- Length in days 130 days
- Start of trail Bergen op Zoom (Nl)
- End of trail Nice (F)
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
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.
Map
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
2018
- The GR5 Trail - Benelux and Lorraine
- The North Sea to Schirmeck in the Vosges mountains Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids The GR5 Trail Benelux and Lorraine | Cicerone
- 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:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
2016
- The GR5 Trail
- Through the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
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
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
Netherlands
2016
- Wandelgids The GR5 Trail - The Alps | Cicerone
- 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
Netherlands
2021
- Wandelgids 265 Vogesen - Durchquerung: GR53 GR5 | Rother Bergverlag
- In 37 etappes over de Lange Astands Wandelingen GR 53, GR 5 en GR 531 van Wissembourg naar Giromagny en Masevaux door de prachtige Vogezen. Goed alternatief voor de langverwachte maar nog steeds niet uitgekomen Crete des Vosges wandelgids van FFRP. Duitse samenvatting: Die Vogesen sind nicht nur eines der urwüchsigsten Mittelgebirge in unseren... Read more
Netherlands
2014
- Wandelgids 901 Tours et traversées dans l'Ain GR9, GR9A, GR59 | FFRP
- Guide FFRandonnée Tours et Traversée dans l'ain. GR 59, 9, 9A. Etangs de la Dombes, monts et cluses du Revermont ou bocages de la Bresse. Plus de 50 jours de randonnée.Depuis les Monts du Jura, du Revermont ou du Bugey, ces itinéraires en boucle ou en ligne offrent aux randonneurs des vues imprenables. voici à l'est le Mont Blanc et les... Read more
United Kingdom
2017
- The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura
- Schirmeck to Lac LA (c)man, and the GR53 Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
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
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
Netherlands
2017
- Wandelgids The GR5 Trail Vosges and Jura | Cicerone
- 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
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
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
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
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
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
Netherlands
2006
- Wandelgids Schwarzwald - Vogesen | Rother Bergverlag
- Uitstekende wandelgids van het Zwarte Woud en een deel van de Vogezen. Nauwkeurig beschreven met praktische info per tocht. De ‘Rother Wanderbücher’ behandelen telkens de 50 mooiste wandelingen, die variëren van eenvoudige kindvriendelijke wandelingen tot routes die aanzienlijk meer ervaring vereisen. Uitvoerige routebeschrijvingen, een... Read more
Maps
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
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
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 05 Outdoorkarte FR Elsass - Colmar - Sélestat - Elzas | Kümmerly & Frey
- 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
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 07 Outdoorkarte FR Elsass, Vogesen - Alsace, Strasbourg Elzas - Vogezen | Kümmerly & Frey
- The central part of Alsace around Strasbourg and Saverne on a GPS compatible, double-sided map at 1:50,000 from K Read more
Netherlands
2014
- Wandelkaart 07 Mercantour & Alpi-Maritieme | Didier Richard
- 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
Netherlands
2016
- Wandelkaart 04 Vanoise - Beaufortain | Didier Richard
- 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 Read more