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GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes

GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes — the trail guide

The GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes is a 590.2 km trek in France, typically walked in 30-35 days, with 32397 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (55 m of gain per km, topping out at 2760 m).

The GR5 through the French Alps — the Grande Traversée des Alpes — runs roughly 600 km from Saint-Gingolph on Lake Geneva to Nice on the Mediterranean, the great north-to-south crossing of the range. It threads the Chablais, the Beaufortain, the Vanoise, the Queyras and finally the Mercantour above Nice, staying high through national parks and linking mountain refuges so it can be walked hut-to-hut. Most walkers take a month or more, and many do it in sections; the Modane-to-Nice southern half is the most spectacular single block.

Quick facts

Distance590.2 km
Total ascent32397 m
Typical duration30-35 days
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness55 m gain per km
High point2760 m
CountryFrance
RegionFrance & Switzerland

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 7 m · high point 2760 m · 32397 m total ascent over 590.2 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 375 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan7°0°140 mm
Feb9°1°99 mm
Mar12°3°127 mm
Apr15°6°128 mm
May18°10°202 mm
Jun23°15°185 mm
Jul26°17°188 mm
Aug25°17°188 mm
Sep21°13°154 mm
Oct17°10°140 mm
Nov11°5°159 mm
Dec9°2°168 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes?

The GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes is 590.2 km, and most hikers complete it in 30-35 days. Total elevation gain is 32397 m.

How difficult is the GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 55 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 2760 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the GR5 — Grande Traversée des Alpes?

In France & Switzerland, France. The route starts near 46.393, 6.806 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

More treks in The Alps

See all The Alps treks →