Last Friday, August 30, we arrived in Menton on the Mediterranean, the end of our trek through the French Alps.
Since our last post a week ago, we have had mostly good weather with more late afternoon showers and, as we approached the sea, warmer temperatures and more haze.
On Saturday we left the GR5 and began walking the GR52. The GR5 continues to Nice while the slightly longer and more scenic GR52 ends in the small, old seaside town of Menton, close to the Italian border.
The GR52 traverses the Parc de Mercantour and its famous Vallee des Merveilles. Although we had walked the same route in 2011, we had forgotten many details. Surprising, because we found it one of the hardest and most rewarding sections of our walk.
Over the last few weeks we had lost track of hikers we had met early on, as everyone walks at their own pace and according to their own schedule. However, once on the GR52 we met several others also headed to Menton. Within one or two days, strangers become friends and it’s nice to see familiar faces along the way and in the refuge at night.
Since arriving in Menton, we’ve been lazy, enjoyed a swim in the Mediterranean and a dinner with some fellow hikers to celebrate the end of our journeys.
The next day we went on to Nice for a night, and now we are in the Netherlands. It was a great trip and we are glad we could share it with you.
And some photos…
Belated Congratulations! and thank you for sharing.
You did it! Yes, congratulations for sure. It looked like very tough going over all that rough, rocky terrain. I’m glad your ankles stayed safe. Astonishing scenery. Thank you for sharing your joyful travel stories. The photos are phenomenal.
Congratulations, Inge and Roy. It’s been great following along and enjoying your stories and pictures. Way to go!
Congratulations on doing what looks like a very difficult trek! Wanderers you are!!
If you haven’t already checked out O Camiños dos Faros (I think that’s the name)
You might like the looks of it, 200km along the “wild Atlantic way” in Galicia!
Cheers! MM
“You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals.”
Booker T. Washington
Looking at the scree slopes and imposing cols that you conquered really puts your accomplishment in perspective. Well done you two.
The mountains put me in my place: a small being surrounded by time and geologic forces we can only guess at.
Menton looked wonderful after all the scree! Congratulations!!
Thanks for sharing the trip. The photos continue to inspire!
Fantastic scenery/photos – wow wow wow. You guys are amazing and inspiring – thanks for being YOU! Envious and Happy for you…..
wonderful!
thanks for sharing yet another sounding journey.
Congrats you two! Such beautiful country you have been moving through. Enjoy your time with family !
Congratulations you did it. I am super impressed
What a wonderful trip. Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Well done. Thanks for keeping us updated and inspired. Have fun on your further adventures. Look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Congrats on finishing this amazing hike. The pictures are wonderful and inspiring. We miss you guys, your names keep coming up. Enjoy the rest of your adventures and thanks for updating us all!
Congratulations. Some of those sections look gruelling.
Enjoy your well-deserved rest.
In many of these photos I cannot see how you could even identify a trail. Real ankle breakers. But Menton looks lovely. I am already looking up airbnbs etc there.