The GR10 is one of France’s greatest long-distance hiking trails. Linking Hendaye (Basque Country) to Banyuls-sur-Mer (Roussillon) over 866 km, it traverses the entire French Pyrenees along the northern slopes, from the Basque Country to Catalonia, passing through Béarn, the Hautes-Pyrénées and Ariège.
GR10 at a glance
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Total distance | 866 km |
| Cumulative elevation gain | ~48,000 m |
| Full traverse duration | 45 to 60 days |
| Difficulty | Demanding (experienced hikers) |
| Waymarking | Red and white stripes (GR trail) |
| Start | Hendaye (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) |
| Finish | Banyuls-sur-Mer (Pyrénées-Orientales) |
| Highest point | Col de la Hourquette d’Arre — 2,465 m |
The route by major section
Section 1 — Basque Country (Hendaye → Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port)
~170 km | 7–9 days | Difficulty: moderate
An undulating opening section through the Basque hills. The terrain is gentler than in the heart of the Pyrenees. White villages with red shutters, lush green pastures, mountain farms with Pottok ponies. Arrival at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the iconic starting point of the Camino de Santiago.
Highlight stage: Bidarray → Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry (25 km, 900 m elevation gain)
Section 2 — Béarn (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Arrens-Marsous)
~160 km | 7–9 days | Difficulty: demanding
The terrain gets serious. Passes above 1,800 m, crossing the Pyrenees National Park, Ossau and Azun valleys. Route past Lac de Bious-Artigues (views of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau) and through the Arrens-Marsous valley — the heart of the Azun territory.
Highlight stage: Gourette → Arrens-Marsous via Col d’Aubisque (28 km, 1,200 m elevation gain)
Section 3 — Hautes-Pyrénées (Arrens-Marsous → Bagnères-de-Luchon)
~200 km | 10–13 days | Difficulty: very demanding
The most committing section of the GR10. Repeated passes above 2,000 m, glacial cirques, crossing near the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Traversing Cauterets, Gavarnie (UNESCO Cirque de Gavarnie) and the Néouvielle massif.
Highlight stages:
- Gavarnie → Héas via Brèche de Roland (optional) — 22 km, 1,600 m elevation gain
- Barèges → Luz-Saint-Sauveur via Col du Lienz — 18 km, 900 m elevation gain
Section 4 — Haute-Garonne & Ariège (Bagnères-de-Luchon → Merens-les-Vals)
~180 km | 9–11 days | Difficulty: demanding
High plateaus, cols and forest descents. Crossing the Spanish Val d’Aran (optional variant), passing through Siguer and the Ariège mountains. Less-visited landscapes, abundant wildlife (bears in certain sectors).
Highlight stage: Aulus-les-Bains → Mounicou via Plateau de Beille (23 km, 1,100 m elevation gain)
Section 5 — Eastern Pyrenees (Merens-les-Vals → Banyuls-sur-Mer)
~160 km | 8–10 days | Difficulty: moderate to demanding
The final section. Crossing the Carlit massif (2,921 m), then a gradual descent towards the Mediterranean. The landscape changes colour: Mediterranean scrubland, broom, Banyuls vineyards. An emotional finish facing the sea.
Highlight stage: Ras des Cambrils → Banyuls-sur-Mer — 20 km, 300 m elevation gain, views of the Mediterranean
Difficulty and requirements
The GR10 is a serious undertaking requiring:
- Good physical fitness: 20–30 km per day with 800–1,500 m of elevation gain
- Mountain experience: navigation, weather reading, varied terrain
- Partial self-sufficiency: some sections are remote for 2–3 days without resupply
- Mental resilience: 45 to 60 consecutive days of walking for the full traverse
Difficulty by section
| Section | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Basque Country | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Béarn | ★★★☆☆ |
| Hautes-Pyrénées | ★★★★☆ |
| Haute-Garonne / Ariège | ★★★☆☆ |
| Eastern Pyrenees | ★★★☆☆ |
Accommodation on the GR10
Gîtes d’étape (trail lodges)
Trail lodges (GTA — Grande Traversée des Alpes et Pyrénées) are the most practical accommodation option. Dormitories of 6–12 people, evening meals and breakfast available. Price: €15–25/night in a dorm, €8–15 for a meal.
Booking is essential in July and August, particularly in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
Staffed mountain huts
CAF (French Alpine Club) mountain huts punctuate the high-mountain sections. More basic than trail lodges but set in altitude terrain. Member rate: ~€20/night.
Wild camping
Wild camping is permitted in the core zones of the Pyrenees National Park (above 2,000 m, between 7 pm and 9 am). A lightweight tent is essential for remote sections.
Municipal campsites
In the villages along the route, municipal campsites often offer “hiker rates” (€5–8 per pitch).
Recommended gear
Footwear
Mid-height waterproof mountain boots (Gore-Tex or equivalent). The GR10’s rocky descents put serious strain on ankles.
Backpack
35–45 litres for the self-sufficient bivouac version. 25–35 litres if staying in lodges and huts only.
Maximum total weight: 10–12 kg for the full traverse (excluding daily water and food).
Essentials
- IGN 1:25,000 map (Top 25 series) or Komoot/IGNrando app
- Trekking poles (protects knees on descents)
- Emergency survival blanket
- First aid kit including blister plasters
- Waterproof rain jacket and trousers
- Solar charger or power bank
Best season
| Period | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Before mid-June | Residual snow on passes above 2,000 m, risk of difficult crossings |
| Mid-June to late August | Optimal conditions — huts open, favourable weather |
| September | Excellent light, fewer people, some lodges close in late September |
| After mid-October | Progressive closure of accommodation, risk of early snowfall |
Best overall period: July for those doing the full traverse in one go. September for individual sections (fewer crowds, autumn light).
Doing the GR10 in sections
The full traverse in one go (45–60 days) is not accessible to everyone. The GR10 works perfectly as 5–10 day sections:
Most popular sections
Basque Country (Hendaye → Larrau, 7 days)
The ideal introduction: moderate terrain, plentiful accommodation, lush green scenery.
Hautes-Pyrénées (Luz-Saint-Sauveur → Bagnères-de-Luchon, 8 days)
The wild heart of the GR10: Cirque de Gavarnie, Néouvielle, breathtaking panoramas. The most spectacular section.
Eastern Pyrenees (Merens-les-Vals → Banyuls, 8 days)
Less frequented, with landscapes transitioning from mountains to Mediterranean.
Alternative: the HRP (Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne)
The HRP is the high-altitude version of the GR10. It follows the crests and passes, staying as close to 2,000 m as possible, often on the Spanish side. More committing and less waymarked, it is aimed at very experienced mountain walkers.
Useful resources
- Rando Pyrénées guide (Rando Éditions): the official trail guide in 5 volumes
- gites-refuge.com: booking trail lodges along the route
- randopyrenees.net: stage sheets and elevation profiles
- French Hiking Federation (ffrandonnee.fr): official GR information