Hiking guides and maps on the GR®10
GR®10 – The Great Crossing of the Pyrenees
From the Basque Country to the Mediterranean, the GR®10 is a hiking adventure spanning over 1,100 km across the entire Pyrenees mountain range. This iconic route connects the Atlantic to the sea, taking in high-altitude trails, ridges, valleys, and passes. From Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer, it attracts hiking enthusiasts every year in search of unspoiled nature, physical challenges, and spectacular views.
GR®10, a legendary trail through the Pyrenees
As the crow flies, only 450 kilometers separate the two ends of the GR10. But on the ground, the hiker covers nearly 1,100 km, following the contours of the Pyrenees massifs.
The trail begins in Hendaye, on the Atlantic coast. The trail first passes through typical Basque villages, with their white and red facades, set against a backdrop of lush green hills. Then comes the climb to the Col de La Pierre Saint-Martin, an iconic passage that marks the entrance to Béarn.
From here, the atmosphere becomes more alpine. The GR10 runs along valleys and crosses passes at over 2,000 meters, in a setting punctuated by high-altitude lakes, limestone cliffs, and vast summer pastures. The Pyrenees National Park then opens up, rich in remarkable biodiversity. Here, you can discover emblematic species such as the chamois, the griffon vulture, and the discreet bearded vulture.
In its central section, the GR10 leads to emblematic places like Gavarnie, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, and Bagnères-de-Luchon, before following the main ridge between Melles and Mérens-les-Vals, where one rarely walks below 1,000 meters in altitude. Forests, plateaus, and ridges follow one another in a uniquely rich mineral and plant setting.
The final section, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, leads hikers to the Canigou massif, the region’s iconic peak, before gently descending toward the sea at Banyuls-sur-Mer. A majestic finale, between the mountains and the Mediterranean.
Why do the GR®10?
The GR10 is a journey of endurance, an immersion in nature, and a cultural exploration of the south of France. Here’s what makes this hike so unique:
- A high-altitude route : ridge crossings, challenging passes, and magnificent landscapes
- A connection with nature : wildlife, alpine flora, clear skies, and silence
- Geographic diversity : from the lush greenery of the Basque Country to the arid plateaus of the Albères
- A structured route : numerous accommodations (shelters, lodges, and campsites) punctuate the route
- A human adventure : beneficial solitude or encounters with enthusiasts
Walking the GR10 means choosing to experience the mountains at your own pace, alternating effort, contemplation and voluntary abandonment.
The essentials of the GR®10
- Basque Country : pastoral valleys, typical villages, a gentle and verdant atmosphere
- Béarn and Bigorre : vertiginous passes, the Mâture Trail, glacial lakes
- Pyrénées National Park : protected landscapes, rare fauna, mountain flora
- Gavarnie and its cirques : UNESCO World Heritage Site, a major center of Pyrenean geology
- Ariège and Couserans : deep forests, remote villages, pastoral life
- Canigou and the Mediterranean : red mountains, mountain pines, sea views
Each stage is a window onto a different universe, both physical and cultural.
Routes connected to the GR®10
The GR10 is not sufficient in itself: it can be extended, combined or bypassed thanks to other major trails which cross it:
- GR7 – Vosges-Pyrénées : Connecting the Vosges to the Pyrenees, the GR7 intersects with the GR10, forming an ideal crossroads for exploring the French mountain ranges. This north-south route offers a tremendous diversity of landscapes, passing through the Morvan, the Massif Central, and the Pyrenees.
- GR65 – Compostela – Le Puy Way : This legendary pilgrimage route joins the GR10 in the heart of the Pyrenees. It’s a unique opportunity to combine the spiritual adventure of pilgrimage with the wild beauty of the Pyrenees.
- GR8 – Atlantic Coastal Trail : Connecting the Atlantic coast to the foothills of the Pyrenees, the GR8 allows hikers to alternate between oceanic landscapes and mountainous terrain. A wonderful opportunity to discover the richness of western France on foot.
- GR36 – Manche-Pyrénées : From the Normandy coast to the Pyrenees, the GR36 crosses the GR10 at its southern end. This intersection creates an ideal route for vertically traversing France, discovering an exceptional variety of lands, climates, and natural heritage.
These connected routes allow you to create variations, loops, or even complete crossings of both Pyrenean slopes.
Don’t hesitate to discover other hiking guides and maps in Occitanie or in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.