High Alpine corridors, border crossings, and long journeys through the heart of the Alps
From the Southern Alps to Lake Geneva — a defining Alpine crossing
The GR5 from Briançon to Geneva is one of the most iconic and sustained sections of France’s great north–south route through the French Alps. Leaving the fortified mountain town of Briançon, the trail turns north into the high Alps, threading together valleys, passes, and border regions on a journey shaped by distance, elevation, and transition.
Building on the high-mountain challenge of the GR5 Nice to Briançon, this section carries walkers deeper into the Alpine core — from the Briançonnais and upper valleys toward Mont Blanc & the Upper Arve, before descending gradually toward the lowlands near Lake Geneva. It passes close to major mountain centres such as Chamonix, while remaining firmly defined by continuity rather than spectacle.
For those undertaking self-guided walking holidays and outdoor adventures, the GR5 from Briançon to Geneva offers a structured but demanding Alpine journey — serious in places, but well supported by towns, refuges, and transport links. It is less about a dramatic start or finish than about progression: long days, varied landscapes, and the steady unfolding of the mountains to the north.
Trail Overview
- Distance: approx. 370 km / 230 miles (Briançon → Geneva section)
- Start Point: Briançon, Hautes-Alpes
- End Point: Geneva, Switzerland
- Time Required: 3–4 weeks (flexible staging)
- Terrain: High passes, alpine ridges, balcony paths, forested valleys
- Difficulty: Challenging — sustained ascents, long days, occasional exposure
- Accessibility: Good rail access at Briançon and Geneva; regular access points along the route
Explore the Route
Briançon to the Northern Alpine Valleys
Leaving Briançon, the GR5 moves north through classic Alpine terrain — open valleys, historic passes, and mountain communities shaped by centuries of movement. Early stages establish the rhythm of the route, with steady climbing and long traverses rather than extreme technical difficulty.
Through the Mont Blanc Region
The route passes through Mont Blanc & the Upper Arve, one of the most significant movement corridors in the Alps. Here, walkers encounter some of the route’s most dramatic scenery, with sustained views of glaciers and high peaks near Chamonix.
This section overlaps in spirit — and occasionally proximity — with the Tour du Mont Blanc, reinforcing the GR5’s role as a through-route within a much larger Alpine network.
Northern Alps to Lake Geneva
Beyond the Mont Blanc area, the GR5 gradually descends through forested hills and lower mountain ranges toward Switzerland. The landscape softens, but the sense of journey remains strong as the route transitions from high Alpine terrain to the shores of Lake Geneva.
Stay and Explore
Towns & Villages
Briançon, mountain villages of the northern Alps, Chamonix and Upper Arve settlements, Swiss border towns, Geneva
Places to Stay
- Small hotels and guesthouses in valley towns
- Mountain refuges positioned for multi-day crossings
- Practical accommodation designed for long-distance walkers
Food & Resupply
- Regular resupply opportunities compared to the southern GR5
- Towns and villages spaced to support multi-week travel
- Refuges provide meals on high-level sections
Culture & Landscape
- Historic Alpine passes linking regions and borders
- Fortified towns, working valleys, and transhumance routes
- Landscapes shaped by trade, migration, and long-distance travel
- A clear transition from the high Alps to the northern Alpine foothills
Adventure Highlights
- Sustained Alpine walking over multiple weeks
- Glacier views and high-mountain scenery near Mont Blanc
- Border crossings between France, Italy, and Switzerland
- A strong sense of northbound progression through the Alps
- One of the most coherent long-distance walking journeys in Europe
- A route defined by movement, not shortcuts