<p>Morning sunlight breaks over a flower-filled meadow outside the Refuge I Re Magi in Névache, <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/france/" target="_blank">France</a>. The GR5—Grande Randonnée, or “great trek”—runs through the Alps and is roughly 1,500 miles long, traversing from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg into France, ending in Nice. The route from Switzerland into the French Alps is particularly popular—and beautiful.</p>

Morning sunlight breaks over a flower-filled meadow outside the Refuge I Re Magi in Névache, France. The GR5—Grande Randonnée, or “great trek”—runs through the Alps and is roughly 1,500 miles long, traversing from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg into France, ending in Nice. The route from Switzerland into the French Alps is particularly popular—and beautiful.

Photograph by Keith Ladzinski

This is Europe's Most Beautiful Hiking Trail

See what it's like to hike from Switzerland to France on the GR5–epic views and indulgent dinners are included.

Winding from the Netherlands to France, the GR5—Grande Randonnée, or “great trek”—is often called one of the world’s most beautiful hikes. Whether trekking the entire length, or a portion, hikers are treated to epic views, solitude and adventure. Traveler Magazine recently sent a photographer and writer to capture the essence of this epic European trek from Switzerland to France. Explore the photo gallery for a brief taste of this splendid trail.

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