What is the Grande Randonnée 5?
The GR5, also designated as Europe 2 (E2), is perhaps the premier long distance hiking trail of Western Europe. GR stands for "Grande Randonnée", which in French means a very long distance hike, or hiking trail.
The GR5 begins at Hoek van Holland on the North Sea, and ends in Southern France at the Mediterranean. It joins together many existing hiking trails, and a few new sections. It is laid out to traverse along, or to cross as many mountain ridges and highlands as possible—in Belgium, the Ardienne mountains; in Luxembourg, the hills by the rivers; in France, the Lorraine plateau, the Vosges Mountains of Alsace, the hills and gorges of the Jura, and, as the icing on the cake, the central spine of the Alps along the border between France and Switzerland, and further south , France and Italy..
The GR5 is about 1,500 miles long (2,500 kms). Three and one-half months of walking time are required for an average walker to "do" the GR5. But if you walk this far, you should really take the variant of the GR5 called the GR52, which leads to Menton on the Mediterranean in a couple of extra days, rather than the GR5 itself to Nice. The GR52 provides a much more spectacular finish.
One cannot really compare the GR5 to the Appalachian trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. The GR5 passes through several countries. It visits many more villages and towns, and lies on the doorstep of some others with great tourist interest. GR5 hikers normally stay in huts, lodges or hotels rather than in tents. The experience is more social and civilized; the cost is somewhat higher.
Everybody (almost) walks the GR5 from the north to the south. Probably, this is because they want to be walking from the cold, rainy, greyer weather of Holland to the warm, dry, sunny Mediterranean; and also, to finish up their trip with the excitement of the Alps and a Mediterranean arrival.
(Thanks to www.grfive.com for the copy above)
La Chapelle d’Abondance is about a day’s walk along the GR5 from St Gingolph on the Swiss/French border at Lake Geneva. A popular stop-off for hikers after descending from the Cornettes mountain as there are ample bars and restaurants to refuel in. There is even a Pharmacy to stock up on plasters and support bandages for those all-important repairs!!
Chalet Le Dragon offers B&B accommodation overnight for all hikers at just £65.00 per room per night. Phone in advance before leaving for the hike on +33 (0)4501 72913 or email contact@skibikeorhike.com or see www.skibikeorhike.com for more information.
Chalet Le Dragon
Le Rys
La Chapelle d’Abondance
France, 74360
See us: www.SkiBikeorHike.com
Email us: contact@SkiBikeorHike.com
Call us: 0033 (0) 4 501 72913
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