It’s summer and time to hike. I leave for Europe Saturday June 24th! I have 3 great hikes planned. And life always goes according to plan. Right?
After a few days in Paris I’ll head to Hendaye, France. The Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) starts here. It is a 500 mile (800K) route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean which mostly follows the border of Spain and France and also crosses Andorra. 2 other more established trails also cross the Pyrenees… the GR10 in France and the GR11 in Spain. Depending on weather, snow, my body and unknown factors I may decide to switch over to one of these for part of the hike. I spent 5 days in the Pyrenees in 2010 hiking in Aigüestortes National Park. I hiked a circular route called the Carros de Foc and loved it. I’ve wanted to go back and spend more time there ever since. Coincidentally, my friend Wired is also hiking the HRP and starting a few days after me. Hopefully we will see each other as she passes me! Wired has been extremely helpful in sharing all her research, maps and contacts.
Next up will be the Alpine Pass Route in Switzerland. I heard about this trail from my good friend Cam Honan who has details on his website. The Alpine Pass Route is part of the Via Alpina European trail and is known as the Green Route. It is 211 miles (340 km) and crosses 16 high mountain passes.
The finale will be the GR20 in Corsica. I’ve wanted to do this for several years. Some say it is the hardest of the GR trails in Europe. It’s 112 miles (180 km) and crosses the island north to south.
Other details….. No, I don’t speak or understand French, Spanish, Basque, Catalon, German or Swiss German. Yes, I’ll be bringing my inReach device and you should be able to see where I am by clicking on the “Where’s Why Not!?” tab. And yes, I have a travel buddy, Jim Beatty. He also only speaks English
photo credit Sharell Katibah
nancyhikes 
I’m so jealous! The Pyrenees, Alps and Corsica all in the same summer? You’ll be in heaven every step of the way. It’s probably a good year to skip the Sierras. We’re going skiing in Mammoth next month! Can’t wait to see your photos.
Thank you. I am pretty excited about what’s ahead. Have fun in Mammoth.
Wow – It will be such a fun summer keeping up with you and also Wired. Love your posts and being able to see places that I will never be able to. Good luck and have fun!!
Thanks
Will be exciting to follow you and Jim, AND Wired. I certainly hope you will intersect.
No surprise she shared info: I know she benefitted from your experiences on the TA in NZ for her recent hiking there.
No surprise at all!
Bon voyage!
Dinner when I return?
Sounds like a fabulous plan! I will be hiking the Haute Route in Switzerland in August – very much looking forward to it!
I have my eyes on that one also. Enjoy!
So look forward to following your travels.
We will be in Europe st the same time. But not the same country.
Good luck, be safe, and have lots of fun!
That is plan A.
You look very happy in the picture of you and your travel buddy. Hope that is exactly how the trip goes. And hope you and Rockin’ intersect. That’d be so cool.
Great that you’re coming to Europe. Would love to meet you. But I’m leaving to Mongolia in July, if not we could have met you at some point. How long are you staying in Europe? We have TA -Friends from New Zealand coming to visit us next week. Did you met Charlie from Nelson? Anyway he and his wife are staying a couple of days.
And we’ll catch up another time. You’re always welcome. Just we don’t have interesting mountains around… Have a great time over here!
Cecile! Have fun in Mongolia. That sounds exciting. We will start walking tomorrow. We leave from Paris 21 September. Maybe our paths will cross.
More winter reading and adventure planning . . . it’s gonna be fab. ENJOY cause WhyNot? 🙂
Hey, Nancy!
How fun for you to be hiking in Europe this summer! I just got back from spending 10 days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. I did it with an organized group. It was a fabulous trip, and the hiking and scenery were magnificent! I’d love to go back and hike more in the Alps and Europe. I thought of you, and wondered at the time if you’d spent much time there. Have a fabulous time!!
Lauren
Thanks. Missed you at the wedding. Glad the TMB worked out for you. Hiking in Europe is great.