What is a GR?

A GR is a "Grande Randonnée" (long-distance hiking) itinerary that takes several days or weeks to complete. It is marked with a red and white line. The national interest of a GR is to criss-cross a region or département(s) and discover its cultural, historical and culinary secrets.

Among the most famous are

  • the GR 20: crossing Corsica (180 kilometers in 16 stages and over 10,000m of ascent). The GR 20 is world-famous for its beauty and difficulty.
  • The GR 10: a 900-km mid-mountain route crossing the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean (50,000 meters of ascent and descent - 360 hours of walking and 55 days of hiking).
  • GR 65: stretches from Le Puy-en-Velay to the Spanish border, over 5500 kilometers. It passes along 4 main routes to Santiago de Compostela, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • GR 11: A 600 km loop around Paris, allowing hikers to discover the richness of the natural spaces surrounding the capital.
  • GR 5: Crosses the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and finishes in the south of France (Nice) with 2600 kilometers of hiking.
  • GR 21: Crosses Haute-Normandie, from Le Havre to Le Tréport over a distance of 171 kilometers. This long hike skirts the Côte d'Albâtre before heading inland. The landscapes alternate between limestone cliffs, harbours, fields and forests, offering many remarkable viewpoints.

Hiking itineraries that require precise preparation and good training!

A sound physical condition

Because of the distance involved, it's essential to be at least a little prepared before embarking on your adventure.

Before you set off, don't hesitate to do some long hikes to get used to it, and thus multiply your chances of success. Take the opportunity to try out your equipment at least once, to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Your equipment

Your shoes

Choose a pair of shoes that you feel comfortable in and that are light enough. Avoid buying them at the last minute; it's better to wear them out before you set off to avoid blisters. Combined with a good pair of hiking socks, you should be blister-free!

The rucksack

The rucksack is going to be an extension of yourself for the duration of the GR, so don't look for savings on this expense.
As with footwear, the best thing to do is to try it out and test it several times before carrying it on your back for hours on end.

Choose a bag that's adapted to your morphology, but above all lightweight and comfortable to carry.

Pay particular attention to the size of your bag, as the bigger it is, the more you tend to pack unnecessary items that you'll have to carry no matter what.

See also, how to choose the right hiking bag.

Preparing your GR in total autonomy

If you're planning to hike on your own, you'll need to carry all the equipment you need to sleep, eat and live. In this case, it's important, even vital, to identify possible refreshment points in advance.

The ideal weight should not exceed 18 to 20 kgs, so that you can enjoy the ride without suffering too much. This implies a very selective choice of clothing and equipment, as well as some hard training if you're a bit heavier. The maximum recommended weight for a backpack is 20% of the wearer's weight.

Fill your bag in a balanced way to reduce fatigue. To do this, place the heaviest objects in the middle of your back. They should be as centered as possible (at the level of the spine), as close to the back as possible (not towards the outside of the backpack) and ideally under the shoulders and above the hips.

Bag composition

For a few hours or a day's rideFor a few hours or a day's outing, it's best to take along :

  • Sunglasses,
  • A tube of sun cream,
  • A cap or hat,
  • Rain gear,
  • A sweater or fleece jacket, thin or thick, depending on the season and temperature,
  • Walking poles, if possible crompressible, to save space.
  • Groceries (gingerbread, bars, dried fruit, marzipan, etc.),
  • Water, minimum 1.5 l,
  • Survival blanket,
  • Whistle,

For several days with accommodation, In addition to the equipment listed above, you'll also need

  • A change of clothes and underwear,
  • sandals or light shoes for relaxing in the evening,
  • poncho or rain cape,
  • overtrousers,
  • spare batteries for the headlamp,
  • a " meat bag " or fitted sheet,
  • hats and gloves for the morning or evening, depending on the season,
  • toiletries: soap, detergent, toothpaste
  • reading material,
  • food for several days,
  • topographical maps.
  • folding knife,
  • first-aid kit,
  • compass,
  • binoculars or camera,
  • cell phone,
  • a headlamp (useful for late departures in winter, or in dark passages such as old disused tunnels, or in mountain refuges).
  • A pair of shoelaces.

For several days' autonomy, you need to add to the equipment already listed above :

  • tent,
  • sleeping bag,
  • mattress,
  • lighter and matches, protected from moisture,
  • solar charger
  • stove and fuel,
  • cooking utensils with sponge and cloth, but above all cutlery
  • provisions,
  • garbage bags,
  • Micropur or Hydroclonazone tablets
  • wallet with cash, bank card, identity card and health insurance card.

Our final tips

  • Prepare your itinerary carefully: access to the starting point (train, car), distance, altitude difference, tricky sections, water and food supplies, bivouac / gîte / refuge locations, etc.
  • Preparing meals
  • Why not do it together: it's more fun and, above all, safer. Helping each other can help you excel and, above all, motivate you.
  • Test all your equipment on previous outings. Never leave with anything you've never used!
  • Book huts in advance. Many can be booked online.
  • Make sure you have enough water. Fill your water bottles at every opportunity. It's not uncommon to go several hours without water.
  • Take care of your feet: nail care, massages and foot cream in the evening are all necessary to keep your walking "tools" in good condition and out of pain.
  • Make sure you get enough sleep : a good night's sleep is the key to recovering for the next day.

Read also Going trekking