Hiking in Europe

Read all about the  hikes I did in Switzerland, France, Italy and others

GR5 stage 4: Modane to Briançon

GR5 stage 4: Modane to Briançon

Stage 4 of the GR5 was the last stage of this thru-hike that I would walk this year. It marked the transition to the Mediterranean Alps, where the weather was hotter and drier. The landscape turned more and more empty until I reached the city of Briançon where my journey ended.

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GR5 Stage 3: Landry to Modane

GR5 Stage 3: Landry to Modane

Stage 3 of the GR5: the Vanoise. A part of the Grande Traversée des Alpes/GR5 where all the different routes can make your head dizzy – if you’re not already dizzy from the high mountains all around you. This stage takes hikers from freezing cold mountain passes to the sweltering city of Modane close to the border with Italy.

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GR 5 stage 2: Les Houches to Landry

GR 5 stage 2: Les Houches to Landry

The second stage of the GR5 shares about 40 km trail with the Tour du Mont Blanc. I skipped a crowded part on an alternative, higher trail above Les Contamines. After two days I left the TMB, turning South into the breathtaking Beaufortin. There I crossed the Col du Bresson, another highlight of the GR5.

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GR 5 stage 1: Lac Léman to Les Houches

GR 5 stage 1: Lac Léman to Les Houches

The first 5 days of the GR5 involved a long and steep initial ascent into the Alps and unexpected and extraordinary scenery. I also met a number of other solo hikers. Within a few days a we formed a more or less loose group, hiking and camping together most of the time. Getting to know these wonderful people has enriched my experience on the GR5 tremendously.

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Planning the GR5 – Grande Traverse des Alpes

Planning the GR5 – Grande Traverse des Alpes

In the summer of 2023 I hiked 14 days on the GR5 (Grande Randonnée 5). While the complete GR5 starts in my home country (the Netherlands), I hiked the part that crosses the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. As two weeks are not enough to hike the complete route to the sea, I hiked halfway to the city of Briançon.

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Alta Via 1 part 2: Scotoni – Città di Fiume

Alta Via 1 part 2: Scotoni – Città di Fiume

Day 4 and 5 of the Alta Via 1 held high passes and spectacular rocks in store for us. Sometimes steep and challenging, we were always rewarded with dramatic views. Due to impending storms we changed our plans in order to arrive at the rifugio’s before thunder and lightning began.

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Alta via 1 part 1: Biella–Scotoni

Alta via 1 part 1: Biella–Scotoni

The first three days of the Alta Via 1 started with a steep climb up to Rifugio Biella and continued along various mountain huts offering stunning views of the Dolomites. On the third night we slept at Rifugio Scotoni, just off the official Alta Via trail, avoiding the the defiantly high Lagazuoi hut.

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Alta Via 1 Prologue: Lago di Braies

Alta Via 1 Prologue: Lago di Braies

The Alta Via 1 is a 120 km (75 miles) hike through the South Tyrolean Dolomites. The trailhead to this hike happens to sit at one of the most beautiful lakes of Europe: the Lago di Braies. Before Christine and I started the Alta Via 1 we stayed in the magnificent Hotel at the lake. The 3 days at the trailhead became a fantastic holiday in itself.

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Planning the Alta Via 1

Planning the Alta Via 1

In the summer of 2022 Christine and I will hike the Alta Via 1. The AV1 is one of the classic European thru hikes. Hiking this 120 km (75 miles) trail in twelve days, we will exclusively spend the nights in mountain refuges. After all, camping is not allowed nearly anywhere on this trail. The AV1 is traditionally meant to be experienced as a hut tour anyway.

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