From the Mountains to the Sea along the GR5
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean
Overview
Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its immense south face, all the way south to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte d’Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the Mediterranean. Our first hike brings breathtaking views of glacier-clad Mont Blanc before we head south through age-old villages and alpine meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentians bloom. Farther south, we follow the legendary GR5 trail across remote national parks, then enter brightly colored hill villages that announce the Mediterranean is near. Contouring the GR5 trail across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, we arrive on the coast and head for a celebratory dip in the sea. Our unique French adventure has been featured as one of Outside magazine’s “Trips of a Lifetime.”
Arrive: Megève, France
Depart: Nice, France
Highlights
- Follow the best sections of the GR5 in 12 well-paced hiking days across a spectacular range of cultures and landscapes
- Explore secluded mountain villages and discover France’s less-traveled national parks
- Discover Vanoise National Park, where ibex roam, savor views over the glaciated Pralognan Valley
- Roam the lanes of medieval Briançon and hike in the Queyras, one of the most remote areas of France
- Enjoy a small group—maximum 12 people—and expert Trip Leaders
Itinerary
From the charming town of Megève in the French Alps, our first hikes bring spectacular views of snow-capped Mont Blanc and all its southern satellites. We’ll also have a preview of the peaks of the Préalpes de Savoie and the Vanoise, which we visit in a few days.
Entering the protected landscape of the Vanoise, where ibex roam, we hike above treeline with views over the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road takes us below the granite peaks of the Grande Casse to the Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with beautiful reflections in three gleaming alpine lakes along the way.
We drive into Italy for a day’s hike in the remote Italian-speaking Vallée Etroite. The next day we continue to Briançon, a pretty town with a strong medieval character. Here we can relax or set out for a hike on the GR5. Our hikes in the Queyras, one of the most sparsely populated areas of France, bring us through forests and flower-covered meadows.
Driving across the Route des Grandes Alpes reveals a spectacular transition from the French Alps of the north to the Maritime Alps in the south. From Jausiers and Auron, the gateways to Mercantour National Park, we enjoy hikes across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, then head to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Depart on Day 14 via Nice.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 5, Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day, and hiking significant distances for many days in a row. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group as with the exception of one day, there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 7-9 miles
- 4-6 hours
- 2,000-3,000 feet gain/loss
- Altitudes range from 6,000-9,400 feet
- Day 4 - 10 miles, 8.5 hours, and 3,500 feet gain/loss
Most hiking is between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, with considerable elevation gain and loss along the way. While the GR5 is not exceptionally high, it can be steep and rugged. This trip is not technical, but is aimed for those who have some experience hiking in the mountains. At lower elevations, the trails are usually packed dirt, but at higher elevations they are often much rockier and more uneven, with sections of loose scree, large boulders, and occasionally glacial snow. Recent rockslides may impact the routes we use. On some days, you will encounter sections of narrow, exposed trails. You will also occasionally need to use your hands to scramble over and between a jumble of boulders. Your experienced mountain guides are there to assist you if needed. No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, but all participants must be in good physical condition, have good balance, be comfortable with moderate levels of exposure, and be confident on their feet.
Of course, you are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle. The support vehicle transports the group’s luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (sweater, camera, water bottle). Hiking poles are highly recommended.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in. Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip. However, some people still experience a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.
The months we visit the Alps are the optimal ones, but mountain weather can be fickle. Temperatures are likely to reach the 70s°F (or even 80s°F) during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. We are likely to experience a full range of weather conditions, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike.
Our accommodations are in small hotels and pensions with private en suite bathrooms. Our hotels have been chosen as much as possible for their ambience and local history. Please note these are hikers’ hotels, not five-star resorts. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but are not always of uniform size or amenities. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
Lunch will be in a small village, at a mountain lodge, or at a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often with the cuisine the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"I very much enjoyed the itinerary, accommodations, food, wine, logistics, and trip leaders. This was my first experience with Wilderness Travel and I was impressed. I look forward to joining other WT trips."
Bruce W.
Nashville, TN
"I loved everything about the trip and just wish it could have lasted longer. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful."
Carrie M.
Boise, ID
"I loved it all. A great hike with extraordinary views, great company, delicious meals, cozy inns, and dramatic scenery changes. To end with a swim in the Mediterranean was perfection!"
Cathy C.
Sonoma, CA
"Another spectacular WT adventure!"
Christina S.
San Francisco, CA
"I’ll be doing more of these trips!"
Deborah C.
Santa Monica, CA
"The variety in scenery from day to day was wonderful. There was always something new to see!"
Elizabeth M.
Long Beach, NY
"What a grand adventure! We loved the varied terrain, the hikes, and our fantastic guides."
Ellen Q.
Irvine, CA
"This was the best world trip we have experienced in 25 years of travel—a truly great French Alps experience!"
George P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was an ideal vacation for my wife and me: being in the mountains all day, at the peak of wildflower season, with two guides who were both knowledgeable and fun to be with, having a good hotel at night, and great French food in the evenings."
Guy A.
Woodacre, CA
"A trip I would highly recommend!"
Helen F.
Clancy, MT
"This trip was a wonderful blend of beautiful alpine scenery, great outdoor exercise, charming towns, and interesting foods. Each day was a treat, and our guide worked in special stops on the days we had to drive longer distances (like for cappucino in Italy!)."
Inge K.
Concord, MA
"Great trip! Excellent leaders and companions, food, scenery, and lodgings. Pretty much what we have come to expect from WT."
Larry A.
Golden, CO
"A superb trip with superb leaders."
Laura T.
Oakland, CA
"This is my second time on this trip! It’s a great hike."
Neil C.
Swampscot, MA
"We traveled to places that we would never have been able to see without the expertise of Wilderness Travel and the guides."
Penny A.
Los Angeles, CA
"A fabulous trip! Everything was terrific, really quite perfect!"
Randie B.
San Francisco, CA
"This was a very special trip. The variety of landscape, the length of time to feel like a real group of friends, variety of hotels and food—it was amazing."
Read P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was a great trip—I have zero complaints and would recommend it to any capable hiker."
Richard S.
Branford, CT
"This is the second time I’ve traveled with WT. I’m noting consistent high quality, excellent planning, excellent Trip Leaders, and nice clientele."
Teddie G.
Pocatello, ID
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.