GR5 Geneva - Nice/Modane

tod said:

Hi,

I am thinking about walking this section of the GR5 this
summer, have done quite a lot of UK hill walking and have
the proper kit, but have never done any european(!)
walking before.

I have read the Martin Collins book and had a google for
info and was just wondering if any of you seasoned
guys(and gals) here had any experience of this route, or,
any tips specific to the route and the travelling
involved, that you could share?

Thanks in advance,

Walked a bit of the southern section last summer... as part
of a backpacking trip north from Sospel.

The southern bit is very hot. The waymarking is good and
path surfaces good. Its constantly interesting and the
overnight stops are a pleasure with amazing food and wine,
even in the huts. Got the impression that the Alpes
Maritimes are quiet, not alpy enough or maratime enough for
the mass tourist industry and therefore falling between two
stools. Also th Provence mob dont tend to go that far east.
Still worth taking a tent though.

Big shock for Britons.. the length of some of the climbs..
You will be faced with 2600m passes after 400m villages...

Most folk you will meet walkingwill be Dutch, and the locals
tend to have a great deal of respect for long distance
walkers. You will have a great time and meet a lot of
friendly folk in a lot of drop dead gorgeous villages.

Richard Webb

RJ Webb wrote

Quoted message said:

The southern bit is very hot.

Agreed. A lot of it seems to be around 800m and in the
summer this is just a fraction too low to be comfortable.
Above 1400m, however, its a delight.

Quoted message said:

The waymarking is good and path surfaces good.

I was very impressed with both the waymarking and the
mapping. Route finding was un morceau de gateaux.

Quoted message said:

Got the impression that the Alpes Maritimes are quiet

Me too. I'd always been told how much less crowded France is
compared to UK and the Maritimes definitely reinforce that
feeling. You do see other people on the trails but they're
very few and far between.

Quoted message said:

meet a lot of friendly folk in a lot of drop dead gorgeous
villages.

We found that un peu de la langue Francais is a real help,
especially out in some of the more remote places. The locals
responded wonderfully to the fact that you are prepared to
try and speak Frnech to them, albeit badly :-)

Got some pics of the area if anyone wants to have a looksee.
Can put them on me website.

Chris