GR5 Alpine Traverse
~29 days · 366.7 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the GR5 Alpine Traverse is known for
The classic GR5 Alpine line runs south from Saint-Gingolph on Lac Léman to Nice via Modane, Briançon, the Ubaye and the Tinée. This seed uses the continuous main line of OpenStreetMap relation 2704286 and excludes GR52 and local variants; the OSM geometry measures 590.2 km versus the commonly published 650 km. Camp flags are planning intervals, not campsite assertions.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 236 ft to 29,600 ft over 366.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 156.9 mi · 43%
- Downhill 196.8 mi · 54%
- Flat 12.3 mi · 3%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the GR5 Alpine Traverse?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the GR5 Alpine Traverse scores 97/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the GR5 Alpine Traverse take?
Most backpackers hike the GR5 Alpine Traverse in about 29 days (28 nights out) over its 366.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the GR5 Alpine Traverse?
The GR5 Alpine Traverse climbs roughly 163,694 ft total — about 446 ft per mile, topping out near 9,049 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.