Just like the Cape Wrath Trail, the GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes) had been sitting on our bucket list for years.
In August 2026, we finally had the chance to turn that dream into reality.
During the planning phase, we briefly considered hiking the route from south to north.
Logistically, that would have been the easier option for us.
But there was one thought that kept pulling us in the opposite direction: ending the journey at the sea.
And that is exactly what makes the GTA so unique.
For weeks, you walk through the heart of the French Alps, crossing mountain passes and remote valleys, knowing that every step brings you closer to the Mediterranean.
The idea of finishing a long-distance hike by jumping into the sea is a powerful motivator.
Isn't it?
We started on August 8th, 2026, in the middle of an intense heatwave.
In fact, 2026 turned out to be the hottest and driest summer on record up to that point.
Like many things in life, this came with both advantages and disadvantages.
The downsides were obvious: endless sweating, carrying and drinking huge amounts of water, and the constant possibility of dried-up streams.
Summer thunderstorms were always a concern, and the extreme weather also increased the risk of rockfalls.
On the positive side, there was virtually no snow left in the mountains, the nights were pleasantly warm, and we could travel with a lighter gear setup.
For the first ten days, the trail was surprisingly busy.
While we occasionally met fellow GTA thru-hikers, most of the people we encountered were day hikers or trekking groups.
The most crowded section was undoubtedly the Tour du Mont Blanc, which the GTA follows for roughly two days.
Having briefly walked parts of the route before on the Alpenpässeweg, we knew it would be popular.
What we experienced, however, was on another level. At times, the number of hikers was almost shocking.
We honestly found ourselves wondering why people would voluntarily choose such crowded conditions.
Perhaps the attraction lies partly in the prestige of being able to say: "I hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc."
The issue has become significant enough that local authorities are seriously discussing regulations to reduce the pressure on the area. See also the report of RTS.
That being said, the Mont Blanc massif is undeniably impressive.
The glaciers, the rivers, and the sheer scale of the landscape are absolutely spectacular.
Once we left the Tour du Mont Blanc behind, things became noticeably quieter.
There were still plenty of hikers in the Vanoise National Park, but the crowds were far more manageable.
In terms of scenery, Vanoise was one of the absolute highlights of the entire journey.
It is probably one of the most beautiful mountain regions the European Alps have to offer.
Wild camping is not permitted within the national park, and since we wanted to stay on our route, we reserved a bivouac spot at Refuge de l'Arpont in advance.
From Modane onwards, the trail became increasingly peaceful, and after Briançon the landscape started to feel much more Mediterranean.
The mountains gradually lost some of their height, although we were still crossing plenty of passes above 2,500 metres.
Another major highlight was the Mercantour National Park. Once again, the scenery was simply world-class.
Unfortunately, our adventure took an unexpected turn there.
Shortly before entering Mercantour, Trix began complaining about pain in her foot.
What initially seemed like a minor issue slowly became worse day after day.
When we reached Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, we spontaneously decided to rent an apartment, enjoy a proper bed for a night, and give the foot some much-needed care.
The next morning, the situation had changed dramatically.
The foot was heavily swollen, and we realised that continuing would not be possible.
After 19 days on the trail, we made the difficult decision to end our journey early.
Medical examinations later confirmed what we had feared: it was a stress fracture.
Looking back, it was clearly the right decision.
Despite the disappointing ending, we absolutely loved the Grande Traversée des Alpes.
We still have around five days left to complete, and one thing is certain: we will be back.
Physically, the GTA is a demanding trail.
The route constantly climbs and descends, and depending on the stage length, the elevation gain can be substantial.
During our hike, we averaged roughly 1,500 metres of ascent per day while covering more than 25 kilometres daily.
Technically, however, the trail is relatively straightforward.
The paths are generally well maintained, route-finding is easy, and food resupply opportunities are frequent.
France, you impressed us!
We'll return to finish what we started, walk those final kilometres to the coast, and finally take that long-awaited jump into the Mediterranean Sea.
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