I'm trying to plan a trip to the french Alps to go hiking for a number of weeks. I've been considering the GR5 (from Lake Geneva to Nice), and have numerous questions. Here are a few: Do I need to make reservations for huts? What equipment should I bring (tent, crampons, etc.)? Will I have any difficulites meeting people to hike with (I'm going by myself)? Has anyone out there been on this trail that can tell me a little about it???

-- Krissy Koenig (ckoenig@rmi.net), June 02, 1998

Answers

In practice I have found that it is not necessary to make reservation for huts. They will always find a place to squeeze you in even if you have to sleep on the floor. However, you need to make sure that the huts are open, because depending on the areas, you might not be able to get in at all. Be sure to get a CAF membership for the hut discount. I wouldn't bring a tent, but would consider a lightweight sleeping bag and stove. I don't think crampons would be necessary. At the huts you would most likely be able to meet up people during the summer. There is a very detailed trail guide in French that you need to buy.

-- Quang-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), June 03, 1998.

I've "done" the GR-5 about 6 times and have several suggestions. In some ways it's like hiking two or three John Muir Trails. I've done it both the American Way (giant pack, tent, sleeping bags, etc-- "camping sauvage")and the European way: light pack with bare essentials. The European way is far superior. Another issue relates to your language skills. Few Americans will have a positive experience without some fluency in French. You don't have to have post-graduate degrees in French, but you'd better have the ability . . . or desire to become French for a couple of months. Regarding specific routes: there are 3 or 4 times when you should depart from the GR-5 and opt for an alternate route (GR-55 & 58 & others). Menton, rather than Nice is a far more spectacular ending of the hike, for example, and finishing there takes your through the Mercantour: simply stunning. As to reservations in huts,, it depends on the time of year--in the Vanoise and Mercantour and a couple of other places it's best to call ahead. A carte telephonique is very cheap and will last you at least one hike through the GR-5. Weather will not be a potential problem; it will definitely be a problem at times. What is your experience dealing with high-altitude weather? Contact me for more details.

-- Jim Dunaway (jimdunaway@earthlink.net), October 30, 2000.