GR 55

GR 55. The GR 55 is a long-distance hiking trail, or Grande Randonnée, located in the French Alps. It traverses some of the most spectacular high-mountain scenery in France, connecting the Maurienne valley with the Briançonnais region. The route is renowned for its challenging passes, alpine lakes, and proximity to major protected areas like the Vanoise National Park.

Overview

The GR 55 is a high-altitude variant of the more famous GR 5, offering a more demanding and remote alpine experience. It typically begins near Modane in the Maurienne and concludes in the vicinity of Briançon, one of the highest cities in Europe. The trail is designed for experienced hikers, requiring good physical condition and familiarity with mountain terrain, as it crosses several passes over 2,500 meters. Its path provides continuous views of iconic massifs such as the Vanoise Massif and the Écrins Massif, and it serves as a strategic link between two of France's premier national parks.

Route description

From its traditional start near Modane, the GR 55 ascends into the heart of the Vanoise National Park, passing refuges like the Refuge du Plan du Lac and skirting the dramatic Lac du Lou and Lac Rond. The route crosses the challenging Col de la Vanoise before descending towards Pralognan-la-Vanoise. It then proceeds south, traversing the Vallée de la Maurienne and climbing to the remote Col du Mont-Cenis, an area with significant historical importance. The trail continues eastward, offering arduous climbs over passes like the Col de la Lauze before entering the territory of the Écrins National Park near La Grave. The final stages involve crossing the Col du Lautaret and descending towards the fortified city of Briançon, passing through landscapes marked by glaciers such as the Glacier de la Meije.

History

The trail was established by the French Federation of Hiking (Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre) as part of the extensive Grande Randonnée network developed throughout the 20th century. Its creation was motivated by a desire to create a high-mountain itinerary that showcased the alpine wilderness between the Vanoise and Écrins regions, areas later designated as national parks in 1963 and 1973, respectively. The route follows ancient pastoral and trading paths used for centuries, including those associated with the Salt Road and military routes near the Col du Mont-Cenis, which was used by Charlemagne and Napoleon Bonaparte. The development of alpine refuges by groups like the Club Alpin Français was crucial in making the trail feasible for multi-day treks.

Major intersections

The GR 55 intersects with several other major long-distance paths, creating a network for extended alpine journeys. Key junctions include a connection with the GR 5 near Modane and again near the Col du Lautaret. It also meets the GR 54, the classic tour of the Écrins National Park, in the vicinity of La Grave and Le Monêtier-les-Bains. In the Vanoise sector, it links with numerous local trails (GRP) such as the Tour de la Vanoise. The trail's terminus near Briançon provides connections to routes leading into Italy, including the Via Alpina.

See also

* GR 5 * GR 54 * Vanoise National Park * Écrins National Park * Via Alpina * French Federation of Hiking * Briançon * Alpine Club

Category:Hiking trails in France Category:Grande Randonnée Category:Alps