Description
Book SynopsisAn essential guidebook for walking the GR5, one of the world's most spectacular long-distance trails. The GR5 makes its way through the Alps from the shores of Lac Léman at Geneva to the Mediterranean at Nice. A route of 674km (420 miles), it can be trekked in a month, or split over a series of summer trips. The GR5 is well within the reach of fit and moderately experienced walkers and backpackers. There is good signposting and waymarking, and accommodation, food and drink are all available at regular intervals. The paths and tracks are generally well graded, while steep climbs are tackled on zigzag paths, so the overall gradient is not so severe. Every summer, thousands of walkers embark on this trek. This guidebook also describes some scenic variant routes, including the stunning GR55 through the Vanoise National Park and the delightful GR52 that crosses the Mercantour National Park. Full descriptions and maps are provided for these alternatives. The book includes daily stages, timings, ascents and descents, full-colour mapping and gradient profiles, alongside information about facilities and services along the route. The result is an ideal companion to planning and completing your trek. Two further Cicerone guidebooks cover the remaining sections of the GR5; 'The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura', and 'The GR5 Trail - Benelux and Lorraine' which together cover the route from Lac Léman to the Hoek Van Holland.
Table of ContentsContents Map Key Overview Map 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 Route Stage 1 Lac L#xe9;man to Les Houches Day 1 St Gingolph to La Chapelle d'Abondance (direct route) Day 1 Thonon-les-Bains to Chevenoz (alternative Day 1) Day 2 Chevenoz to La Chapelle d'Abondance (alternative Day 2) Day 3 La Chapelle d'Abondance to Ch#xe9;sery Day 4 Ch#xe9;sery to Samoëns Day 5 Samoëns to Refuge de Moëde Anterne Day 6 Refuge de Moëde Anterne to Les Houches Stage 2 Les Houches to Landry Day 7 Les Houches to Les Contamines Day 7a Les Houches to Les Contamines (high-level route) Day 8 Les Contamines to Plan de la Lai Day 9 Plan de la Lai to Landry Stage 3 Landry to Modane GR5 Route Day 10 Landry to Refuge d'Entre-le-Lac Day 11 Refuge d'Entre-le-Lac to Val d'Is#xe8;re Day 12 Val d'Is#xe8;re to BessansDay 13 Bessans to Refuge du Plan du Lac Day 14 Refuge du Plan du Lac to Le Montana Day 15 Le Montana to Modane/Fourneaux GR55 High-level route (Refuge d'Entre-le-Lac to Modane) Day 11 Refuge d'Entre-le-Lac to Refuge d'Entre Deux Eaux Day 12 Refuge d'Entre Deux Eaux to Roc de la P#xea;che Day 13 Roc de la P#xea;che to Modane/Fourneaux GR5E Low-level route (Bonneval-sur-Arc to Modane) Day 13 Bonneval-sur-Arc to Lanslevillard Day 14 Lanslevillard to Bramans Day 15 Bramans to Modane/Fourneaux Stage 4 Modane to Ceillac Day 16 Modane/Fourneaux to Refuge du Thabor Day 17 Refuge du Thabor to Plampinet Day 17a La Valle troite to Plampinet (GR5B alternative) Day 18 Plampinet to Briançon Day 18a N#xe9;vache to Briançon (GR5C alternative) Day 19 Briançon to Brunissard Day 20 Brunissard to Ceillac Stage 5 Ceillac to Auron Day 21 Ceillac to La Barge/Maljasset Day 22 La Barge/Maljasset to Larche Day 23 Larche to Bousieyas Day 24 Bousieyas to Auron Stage 6 Auron to Nice - GR5 Day 25 Auron to Refuge de Longon Day 26 Refuge de Longon to St Dalmas Day 27 St Dalmas to Utelle Day 28 Utelle to Aspremont Day 29 Aspremont to Nice Stage 7 St Dalmas to Garavan/Menton - GR52 Day 27 St Dalmas to Le Bor#xea;on Day 28 Le Bor#xea;on to Refuge de Nice Day 29 Refuge de Nice to Refuge des Merveilles Day 30 Refuge des Merveilles to Camp d'Argent Day 32 Sospel to Garavan/Menton Appendix 2 Route Summary - South to North Appendix 3 Accommodation List Appendix 4 Basic French for the GR5
