What is a GR?
A GR (Grande Randonnée, a long-distance footpath) is a multi-day route, waymarked in white and red, designed and maintained by the volunteers of the French Hiking Federation (FFRandonnée). It may cross a region, go round a massif or follow a river or a coastline.
How do you recognize GR waymarking?
GR waymarking is a white stripe above a red stripe. A bent double stripe announces a change of direction, and a white and red cross marks the wrong way. GR de Pays routes are waymarked in yellow and red, and local walks (PR) in yellow. See our guide to waymarking.
How long does it take to walk a GR?
From a few days for a tour of a massif to several weeks for a long traverse. On each trail page, we give the number of stages calculated for days of around 6h of actual walking: it is up to you to add rest days or combine stages to suit your pace.
Can you walk a GR in sections?
Yes, and it is the most common way to walk the long traverses: a week or a weekend at a time, setting off again from where you stopped. The railway stations shown on our stage pages help you choose start and finish points you can reach without a car.
Where can you sleep on a GR?
It depends on the GR: staffed or unstaffed refuges in the mountains, gîtes, pilgrim accommodation on the Ways of St James, B&Bs, hotels and campgrounds in the villages. Book ahead during the season. Each stage page lists the accommodation found at the finish; see also where to sleep on a GR.
Is bivouacking allowed on GR trails?
There is no single rule: bivouacking is banned or strictly regulated in the core areas of national parks and in many nature reserves, it may be banned by a municipal or prefectural order, and it requires the owner's consent on private land. Find out for each area; our trail pages flag the known rules.
Do you have to pay to walk a GR?
No: GR trails are open to all and free. You only pay for your accommodation, meals and transport and, if you wish, a topoguide or maps.
Can you hike a GR with a dog?
On most GR trails, yes, kept on a leash near flocks and herds. Dogs are, however, banned in the core areas of most mountain national parks, even on a leash, and many refuges do not accept them. See hiking with a dog.
Do TrekGR's GPX tracks replace a map?
No. Our tracks come from OpenStreetMap and may differ from the official route, especially if there has been a recent diversion. Always follow the waymarks on the ground and take a 1:25,000 map or the GR's topoguide.
How are distances, ascent and walking times calculated?
Distances are measured on the OpenStreetMap route, ascent from IGN's RGE ALTI® elevation data (one point every 50 m, 10 m filter) and walking times according to the DIN 33466 standard, excluding breaks. The figures may differ by a few per cent from those in the topoguides. Details on the About page.