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Day 37, Menton, the end of the walk

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 … more

More mountains and a surprise encounter, Day 29

Another day off after an excellent but tiring week of hiking. This week we have spent most nights in valley towns. Each day has been a climb over one or two cols and an afternoon descending as much as 1100 m. The trails are rocky, steep and sometimes exposed. It may seem odd if you … more

Briançon, Thursday, day 22

We are in the old touristy town of Briançon today taking a full day off. After the long, hard, sunny descent into Modane last Sunday, we set out on a (surprise!) long hard ascent on Monday morning in rain and fog. The fog and showers stayed with us until early afternoon but the weather cleared … more

Modane, day 18 on the GR5

Time flies! We are almost half way though our journey to the Mediterranean, staying in Modane tonight, a small town in a valley, after spending last night in a refuge at 2474 m, crossing Col de Chavière at 2796 m this morning and descending 1750 m today. We are glad to have a hotel room … more

Samoëns—Our first week on the GR5

A week ago tomorrow we caught a flight to Geneva from Amsterdam, followed by a 1-hour bus ride to Thonon-les-Bains on the south shore of Lake Geneva. From there we started the GR5 the next day. On the flight and bus we noticed a guy with a backpack, also headed to Thonon. Turns out, he … more