| Of all the countries in Europe, the best hiking trails | | | | storms. It also might be the most demanding trail |
| are said to be found in France. Hills and | | | | because of the long steep valleys it crosses. A |
| undeveloped countryside abound in this romantic | | | | great benefit of the GR-10 is that there are |
| nation. In French, a trail is called a randonnee. | | | | lodges located along the route. So if you aren't |
| There are three types of randonnees. The first | | | | into lugging around camping equipment on your |
| type are the grand randonnees, trails that stretch | | | | hike or just prefer to sleep on a mattress, the |
| long-distances. These are identified with red and | | | | GR-10 is the trail for you. |
| white painted markings. Second are randonnees | | | | Due to the high elevation of this trail, hikers need |
| de pays or regional trails, which are identified by | | | | to plan their excursions for a time during July or |
| yellow and red painted markings. Lastly, | | | | August. If you want to hike only a section of the |
| promenades or just plain randonnees without any | | | | trail near the coast, you have a wider range of |
| other describing words are what the smallest trails | | | | time, stretching from June to September, to plan |
| are called. These are identified with only yellow | | | | your trip. The weather on the trail can vary |
| painted markings. Other European countries have | | | | greatly with a chance of electrical storms in the |
| similar ways of identifying their hiking trails. Some | | | | higher mountains that have the potential to be |
| grand randonnees cross multiple countries in | | | | quite violent. Although you might encounter some |
| Europe. And many of these trails are actually | | | | snow due to the elevation, ice axes probably |
| paved and quite easy on the feet. | | | | won't be necessary for a summer hike. A hike |
| One of the most popular hiking destinations in | | | | from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean will |
| France is the GR-10 or Grande Randonnee 10, | | | | take about fifty days. Though most hikers travel |
| which traverses the Pyrenees mountain range. | | | | this direction, you are certainly free to go either |
| The Pyrenees run alongside the border separating | | | | direction. For anyone interested in hiking through |
| Spain from France, all the way from the | | | | France, GR-10 is a fantastic trail to choose. |
| Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The | | | | France is a country blessed with incredible natural |
| Alps have a higher elevation, but the Pyrenees | | | | beauty. Challenging inclines and stunning vistas |
| are extremely serrated and very steep, which | | | | make it a hikers' paradise. The Pyrenees is a truly |
| makes the hiking trails in this area wonderfully | | | | astounding highlight of the area. And the GR-10 is |
| scenic and exhilaratingly challenging. The GR-10, | | | | the perfect trail to experience what France has |
| although probably the easiest trail to follow of the | | | | to offer. |
| three main trails in the area, is prone to more rain | | | | |