GR 10 (France)

Infobox Hiking trail
Name=GR10
Photo=Saint Etienne de Baïgorry GR10 Harrieta.jpg
Caption=Signpost on the GR10
Location=Pyrenees
Designation=GR footpath
Length=convert|866|km|mi
Start/End Points=Hendaye, Banyuls-sur-Mer
Use=Hiking
ElevChange=convert|48000|m|ft
HighPoint=
LowPoint=
Difficulty=
Season=late spring-early summer, late summer-early fall
Months=
Sights=
Hazards=Storms, Snow, Heat

The GR 10 is a French GR footpath or hiking trail that makes it possible to walk from one end of the Pyrenees Mountains to the other. It roughly parallels the French-Spanish border, sticking to the French side. Those attempting the entire trail often choose do it west-to-east, from Hendaye on the Atlantic Ocean to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea, but it can just as easily be traversed east-to-west.

The trail is estimated to take around 52 days for hikers who are in good shape and used to mountain hiking. Some stretches involve a lot of ascending and descending, including a few one-day sections with a convert|1200|m|ft climb followed by a similar descent, but the GR 10 is a hiking trail and there is no actual mountain climbing involved. The trail covers a distance of convert|866|km|mi with convert|48000|m|ft of ascent.

There are many places to stay along the route catering for walkers, including hotels; "Gîtes d'étape"; and very basic mountain refuges. Camping is only required for two or three nights in the Ariège section. Some walkers walk different sections of the route, picking up where they left off, to complete the route over several visits.

The trail is well-marked with red and white painted blazes. It is shown on all regional maps, even Michelin roadmaps. The route is within the area shown by the Editions Sud-Ouest "Rando éditions" range of maps (numbers 1-11) which are based on French Institut Géographique National 1:50,000 scale maps. [ [http://www.editions-sudouest.com/?page=EsoLayout&portlet=Editions&ed=rando&c=44 Cartographie Pyrénées] - Editions Sud-Ouest] Parts of the route, especially around towns and villages, change from year to year, so walkers require recent editions of the maps and guides.

There are four very detailed guide books (in French) describing the GR 10. These are published by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (French Hiking Federation). [ [http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/ Le site de la Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre] - French Hiking Federation (in French)] These guide books can be purchased at most large sports stores in the region, and in a few of the largest sports stores in the major cities in France. English guides are also available.

The Spanish GR 11 is a similar route but on the Spanish side of the border, while the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) follows a generally higher route through the Pyrenees, from mountaintop to mountaintop, frequently crossing the border.

Départements crossed

The GR 10 passes through the French departments of:
*Pyrénées-Atlantiques,
*Hautes-Pyrénées,
*Haute-Garonne,
*Ariège and
*Pyrénées-Orientales.

Towns, villages and other stopping places

Some commonly used overnight stops with camping or gîte facilities include:
*Hendaye
*Olhette
*Ainhoa
*Bidarray
*Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry
*Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
*Esterencuby
*Col Bagargiak
*Logibar (Larrau)
*Saint-Engrace
*Arette-la-Pierre-Saint-Martin
*Lescun
*Estaut
*Gabas
*Gourette
*Arrens-Marsous
*Cauterets
*Luz-Saint-Sauveur
*Barèges
*Chalet Hotel Lac de L'Oule
*Vielle Aure
*Germ
*Lac d'Oo
*Bagnères-de-Luchon
*Fos
*Refuge de l'Etang d'Araing
*Eylie d'en haut
*Cabane de Besset
*Etang d'Ayes
*Aunac
*Rouze
*St Lizier d'Ustou
*Aulus-les-Bains
*Mounicou
*Goulier
*Siguer
*Refuge de Clarans
*Refuge de Rulhe
*Mérens-les-Vals
*Refuge des Besines
*Refuge des Bouilloises
* Planes
*Refuge du Ras de la Caranca
*Mantet
*Refuge de Mariailles
*Chalet Hotel des Cortalets
*Mines de Batere
*Moulin de la Palette
*Las Illas
*Chalet de l'Albere
*Banyuls-sur-Mer

Weather

The best time for hiking on the GR 10 is late spring / early summer and late summer / early fall. In the middle of the summer the heat can become a problem, though some of the ski stations on the route open their lifts for summer walkers, providing opportunities for less conscientious hikers to avoid some ascents and descents. In the fall mountain storms become more frequent, making conditions dangerous. In winter most of the GR 10 is impassable due to snow.

References

Further Reading

* "The GR10 Trail", Paul Lucia. Cicerone 2003 ISBN 978 1 85284 364 9

External links

* [http://www.pyreneeshike.com www.pyreneeshike.com] – Chronicles a full GR 10 hike, including pictures, useful information, and a Google route map.
* [http://faroux.olympe-network.com/pages/en/index_en.php De Banyuls à Hendaye] – Chronicles a hike through the Pyrenees, including pictures. In French and English.