GR 10: route guide

The GR 10 runs the length of the French Pyrenees, from the Atlantic at Hendaye to the Mediterranean at Banyuls-sur-Mer, staying mostly on the French side but often close to, or on, the Spanish border. It is part of the Grande Randonnée network and is waymarked in the standard red-and-white GR style, though marks can be inconsistent and are sometimes buried by snow.

Treat the trail as a high-mountain route, not a coastal walk. Cols sit high, weather turns fast in the afternoon, and the eastern half is drier with longer gaps between water sources. Carry a paper map and compass alongside any GPS app, and check the route against OpenStreetMap or IGN mapping before each stage.

The table below groups the route into the sections most walkers actually do, rather than listing every day. Distances and walking times are estimates for planning only; the official GR 10 topo-guide breaks the trail into roughly 45–50 daily stages, and your own pace on climbs will shift these numbers.

West–east, the first days out of Hendaye are cooler and less steep than the corresponding start heading west from Banyuls-sur-Mer, which is why some walkers choose that direction. The eastern section around Canigou and the Albères is the driest and hottest part of the route.

June to early October is the practical window. Snow can linger on high cols well into July, hiding the path and making navigation harder, so early-season walkers should expect to detour or carry extra care on the highest passes. Afternoon thunderstorms, high winds and dense fog are common in summer, which is a reason to start early each day rather than walk into the evening.

July and August bring the warmest weather and the most people, so gîtes and refuges fill up. Late June and September are usually the better balance: fewer walkers, cooler days, and most services still open. Outside the season, many gîtes and mountain refuges close, and some high sections become genuinely unsafe without winter gear.

The GR 10 is unusual among long trails in how often you can sleep indoors. Most walkers reach a gîte or a small town every other night, and often every night, which means you can walk it with a lighter pack than a fully self-supported route would need. Gîtes d'étape are the standard: dormitory beds, often with dinner and breakfast, and they are the social hub of the trail.

Book ahead in July and August, and carry a tent if you want flexibility in the high middle section where villages are far apart. Wild camping rules vary by department and are restricted in some protected areas, so check locally before pitching. Refuges near the highest cols are the most likely to be full in peak season.

This is a demanding high-mountain route that assumes self-sufficiency. Carry a map, compass and GPS device, treat all water from natural sources, and carry more water than you expect to need, especially in the eastern section where sources are scarce. Weather can change with extreme speed, so pack for cold, wind and rain even in midsummer.

The Pyrenean Mountain Dogs (patous) that guard sheep are working animals, not pets. Give them and their flocks a wide berth and walk calmly past rather than approaching. Vipers are present in rocky, sunny areas, so watch your step; reintroduced brown bears are elusive and pose a negligible risk.

In an emergency call 112, but mobile coverage is unreliable in many parts of the mountains, so a personal locator beacon is worth carrying. Always tell someone your daily itinerary before setting out.