Hiking: Discover the Top 10 GRs in France

At the end of 2020, the French Hiking Federation revealed the Top 10 of the GRs in France the most popular with hikers. To establish the ranking, the federation relied on Topo Guides sales All categories. And the results are revealing!

The Top 10 GR in France according to Topo Guides sales is a good indicator of holidaymakers' favorite hiking destinations. And if 10 places appear in the ranking, the surprise comes from the fact that 5 of these GR are located in Brittany! A real plebiscite for this region of France which continues to attract visitors in search of authenticity and the sweetness of life. But other great hiking trails have a deserved place in this Top 10. Discover them here.

GR 70: The Stevenson trail

This year the number 1 in sales of Topo Guides des GR de France returns to the GR 70. Between Auvergne and Languedoc, Stevenson's path stretches from the Massif Central to the Cévennes. From north to south, this long-distance hiking trail crosses four distinct territories in turn. The Velay first of all, between volcanic reliefs and high agricultural plateaus. Then the legendary Gévaudan and its green valleys. Then make way for Mont Lozère, this bare massif dotted with granite chaos, to finally reach the southern Cévennes valleys. If the entire route bears the name of Stevenson, the famous author only traveled with his donkey, the portion of Florac in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, recently highlighted by the caesarized film, Antoinette in the Cevennes.

GR 20: Through the Corsican mountain

The GR 20 is one of the most legendary GR in France. But he is also one of the most demanding. Year after year, its success continues. A real holy grail for trekking lovers. The GR 20 Fra li monti crosses the Corsican massif from Calenzana to Conca. His 200 kilometers of paths to travel between sea and mountains, but also its 15 meters of elevation gain, take hikers up to 000 meters in altitude. To complete this GR de France in its entirety, excellent physical and logistical preparation is necessary. If you don't feel ready to face 15 days of trek, you have the option to browse only a portion.

The GR 34 alone occupies 4 places in the classification of the GR of France

The next 4 places of this Top 10 GRs in France come back to the GR 34! The portions of the Pink Granite Coast, the Emerald Coast, Abers and the Crozon peninsula and the coastline and islands of Morbihan, respectively share places 3 to 6 in the ranking. The path of the customs officers of Brittany therefore really has the coast! It must be said that this GR borders all of the Breton coasts for more than 2 kilometers. How not to succumb to the call of these landscapes? It was also elected GR Favorite of the French in 000. From the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to La Manche, breathtaking discoveries await you.

GR TMP: The Tour of Mont-Blanc

The Mont Blanc remains one of the most emblematic and inaccessible mountains in Europe. Starting from the village of Les Houches, not far from Chamonix, the 215-kilometer loop of GR of the Tour du Mont-Blanc offers a magical experience. It will still take 10 days of effort to cover it all. Between France, Switzerland and Italy, passes, ridges, glaciers and torrents follow one another to the marvel of walkers.

GR 10: The Western Pyrenees

Across the Basque Country and Béarn, this portion of the Crossing of the Pyrenees connects Hendaye to Arrens-Marsous. No less than 260 kilometers between Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées, thus offer the discovery of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, the Pyrenees National Park and the Adour natural basin.

GR 58: The Tour of Queyras

The GR 58 wonderfully bears its name. Its route indeed leads hikers on the tour of the Queyras Regional Natural Park. Larch forests, rushing torrents, meadows and villages can be discovered all along the 130 kilometers of trail. Although most of the route is located in the middle of the mountains, the walkers will still have to face the 2 meters of the Col de la Chamoussière!

PR: Finistère on foot

To finish this Top 10 GRs in France, place once again in Brittany. And it is on the coast, but also inland that this Promenade & Randonnée topo-guide leads the reader. No less than 47 circuits of all levels, including 4 adapted to Nordic walking available to visitors from Finistère. They allow you to discover sites of heritage interest and sensitive natural spaces.