I’d like to hike the GR 34 this summer with my 17-year-old son. We’re planning to start at Mont Saint-Michel, aiming for around 20 km/day. We’ll be using a tent.
If anyone’s done this trail before, could you share some insights on how challenging it is, how easy it is to find campsites along the GR, and what the average daily distance is like?
hi there
I hiked the GR34 (customs officers' trail) from Le Croisic to Brest in June 2003 during the heatwave with a poorly packed backpack—it was brutal.
Camping spots vary; they're handy when near the coast, but after 20 km, including 4 or 5 km of dry sand, you won’t want to walk another 5 km to sleep and then 5 more the next day.
If you'd like more details, feel free to contact me—I’d be happy to help.
cheers
We’ll follow the GR trail, and if we find a campsite along it or within one or two km, we’ll stay there. But if the campsites are farther away, we’ll just pitch the tent in a field. We’ll still try to sleep at campsites whenever possible so we can use the showers.
As for food, did you buy your groceries day by day, or did you bring enough to eat in your pack?
I think to travel lighter, we’ll set off without food and just buy things as we pass through villages—though we’ll still take a minimum just in case...
hi there,
besides the fact that campsites aren’t always very close to the coast, they can also be pretty expensive—up to 10 € for one night, even if you arrive around 5 PM and leave by 7 AM. That’s a bit much. For showers, the harbor master’s office is often a good option—they’re usually cool about it, and the showers aren’t too pricey.
To cross estuaries (like the Vilaine or Lorient roadstead, etc.), just ask who can take you across. I crossed with fishermen, sailing schools, and others. The same goes for getting to the islands—hitching a boat ride works well, especially on weekends.
For food, I’d buy enough for about three days. The issue is the same as with camping: it’s not always close to the coast. Couscous is really handy because it expands even with cold water and is easy to store. Then I’d pack cans like sardines or corned beef—they’re high in calories and hold up well in the heat—plus figs, raisins, and dates. Still, I lost 6 kilos in two weeks.
Which section are you interested in? If you need them, I had a few maps of the area. Here’s my email: annd@hotmail.fr
Personally, I know the section of the GR34 that runs from Beuzec-Cap-Sizun to Pointe du Raz. It passes through the Goulien bird sanctuary.
Most hikers break it into these stages: Douarnenez -> Beuzec-Cap-Sizun -> overnight at the Beuzec-Cap-Sizun communal gîte -> Goulien bird sanctuary or Pointe de Penharn (Cléden-Cap-Sizun) -> overnight at the Goulien municipal campsite or in B&Bs at Roz-Vein Pointe de Penharn -> Pointe du Raz.
hi there
I’m interested in info about the Customs Officers’ Path (Chemin des Douaniers) too, as I’m planning to do it on horseback. I’m coming from Caen, heading to Mont Saint-Michel and then Brittany along the coast. I’m looking for any info possible, and maps too, of course. If anyone wants to get rid of some or has them at a good price, I’m interested. Is wild camping easy to do? Is this GR mostly on dirt paths or are there rocks?
I’m also looking for maps of Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Burgundy, and Morvan for a friend who’s crossing France!!
thanks
This is an excellent choice for an adventure on the GR34.
Starting from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire, you're looking at around 1,800 km—at least two months to cover the distance. The GR34 is known as the customs officers' path and is off-limits to bikes (and horses, I think—various obstacles), reserved for hikers only. Some connecting sections aren’t very interesting and can be long.
For example, from Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale, unless you take the marsh route (in which case it’s best to have a guide).
I completed the Tro Breizh (October 1987), which is a completely different Breton adventure, and this year in May and June, I’m tackling the GR34. I’ve opted for a mix of styles—by bike and on foot!—depending on the interest of the route. I do loops to rejoin my bike left waiting, hiking the best sections of the GR34 on foot and covering the rest by bike (keeping in mind the trail’s ban on cycles).
The bike gives you more autonomy, and the "strong" sensations come from walking.
Bretons (I’m one from Morbihan) are very welcoming, so you’ll easily find a spot to pitch your "guitoune" (tent). However, near the coast, proximity to "second homes owned by non-locals" can be tricky (the selfishness of the "new rich" vs. the "wandering beggar," right?).
The bike’s autonomy is great in the evenings after 25 km of "backpacking."
Unless you have a lot of free time, you’ll need to break the route into sections.
The climate is better in the south than the north (I’m a chauvinistic Breton from the south, so that goes without saying), but the northern coast is much more beautiful and appealing.
A must-try: eight days around the Gulf of Morbihan—182 km from Le Crouesty to Locmariaquer via Vannes, plus the Île aux Moines or Arz. There’s a great free documentary published by the Morbihan General Council: *"Sur les Sentiers de la Petite Mer"* (On the Trails of the Little Sea). It’s part of the GR34, with no elevation changes, unlike the northern coast, which is more of a rollercoaster.
The Crozon Peninsula is also pure bliss...
We "did" this GR trail that follows the Breton coast almost continuously (big interruption between Brest and Landévénec for 3 days).
No problem finding campsites—there are plenty all along the coast. On rainy days (rare in Brittany), we used small coastal hotels. The path is stunning, with lots of wild beaches, coves, and incredible cliffs (Fort de la Latte).
It’s particularly challenging, with lots of ups and downs. The detours around the *abers* are also very long: Aber Wrac’h, Aber Benoît, and especially the Aber Belon on the south coast. You can hike it in sections if you don’t have at least 45 consecutive days.
Note that from Mont St-Michel to Brest, it takes 24 days, and from Brest to Vannes, it takes 22 days.
Essential guidebooks:
- Côte d’Émeraude (ref 345)
- Côte de Granit Rose (ref 346)
- Les Abers (ref 347)
- Le Finistère Cornouailles (ref 292)
- Le Littoral du Morbihan (ref 561)
Some sections don’t have guidebooks, so you’ll need to buy 1:25,000 scale maps (from Brest to Pointe du Raz, i.e., all of Crozon), but the trail is always obvious and easy to follow.
Enjoy!
Hi Albelle, I hiked from Cancale to Roscoff on foot back in 2005. I don’t think you can do it on horseback—there are lots of rocky sections, cliffs at Plouha, stairs, very narrow passages between the lovely villas in Dinard, and tight chicanes for path access. When I was younger, I worked hauling wood with horses, and I can’t picture managing that trail with them. Maybe the southern coast is less rugged; it’s a shame because the north is stunning. As for wild camping, no problem—we saw it everywhere. Hope this helps!
A+
Thanks everyone for your tips—it’s way more kilometers than I thought! I’ll also keep in mind that the D34 isn’t open to riders everywhere. As for Crozon, it’s a place I really want to see!! From Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Malo, I thought the landscapes were beautiful, so I’ll skip that part and head further south if you confirm it’s not great.
Have any of you tried ING’s Evadéo GPS? I’m skeptical about how useful it is;;; I’m renewing my call for maps of Brittany—nothing too expensive or, ideally, free!!
See you!
The Crozon peninsula is indeed really beautiful.
You’ll find info about this section of the GR34 on the site "Natadéric’s Hikes" (http://nataderic.free.fr)
Hello everyone,
I’d love to get the experienced hikers’ take and insights from those who’ve walked different sections of the GR34. I’m definitely hiking 12 days on the GR34 in Finistère, but I’m still torn between the Route des Abers or Crozon and part of the Audierne Bay.
Do you have any thoughts on this? Is the landscape between Morlaix and Brest more monotonous than the southern sections? Are the lighthouses really visible along the Route des Abers? Also, is there a big difference between Crozon and Audierne Bay, or does the scenery flow seamlessly?
If you haven’t hit the trails this summer, your input would still be super valuable!
Best,
titi
Once you round Pointe du Raz, the coastline changes noticeably—less wild, more rounded, drier.
Cabestan Cove in Esquibien is magical: after days of walking on rocks, being able to take off your shoes and walk barefoot in that white sand is pure bliss.
And while you're in the area: don’t forget to spend at least one night on Île de Sein.
Yan
Méfiez vous des contrefaçons: apprenez à faire la différence entre un faux plat et un vrai.
Hello, I don’t know when you sent this message, but I’m also considering doing this route with my sons (10 and 13 years old) from Saint-Malo to Saint-Brieuc for a few days of vacation.
I’ve already done part of the Camino de Santiago, and from experience, once you get into the rhythm, you can easily cover 30 km a day without overthinking it.
I’m not sure if we need a map—I’m planning to go without one, that’s one less thing to carry. Plus, we’ll be camping, so we already have to carry the tent and sleeping gear, right?
Anyway, if you’re not already on the trail, keep me posted on your plans. We could swap tips, but there’s already a lot of info online. Just Google "GR 34" or "Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Brieuc"—there’s a really detailed and interesting blog, and I don’t think they used a map either. Just follow the sea... the whole thing! 😛
Safe travels...
Liliane
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Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Morocco in August and we’ll start with a stop in Chefchaouen (we’re driving).
My question: can anyone suggest a 5-to-7-day loop hiking route from Chefchaouen in Talassemtane Park, ideally passing by the God’s Bridge? Or a paper guidebook that covers a few options?
We prefer wild camping and guesthouses.
Thanks in advance
Hi there, for those who’ve been recently—is it possible to find other solo travelers in March on the island to share transport or room costs? It doesn’t seem easy to travel on a budget.
If you have any recommendations for simple lodgings or places with dorms, I’d love to hear them.
For those who’ve done multi-day treks while moving around: do you need to bring your own sleeping bag? I’d love to hear about itineraries you’ve done without a guide, just with a map and GPS.
Thanks, and have a great day!
Hi everyone!
We’re planning a 15-day road trip to Scotland this summer, specifically to explore and hike on Lewis and Harris—places we’ve never been before. We’ve visited other islands on previous road trips in Scotland (we usually go in April for a week). This would be our first time in Scotland in the summer and for 15 days. We’re looking at late August to early September.
I’m currently drafting the itinerary. We’d be crossing from Ullapool and were thinking of spending 3 nights on Harris and 4 nights on Lewis.
Does that sound balanced to you? Is it better to keep the same accommodation on Harris and the same on Lewis to explore the area? I’d love to hear about any past experiences you’ve had on these islands.
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m trying to leave for 15 days very soon to São Vicente. I’m either looking to join an agency or figure things out on my own to go hiking on one of these islands or both. From what I’ve seen, it’s not easy to organize with local transport, so it gets expensive. Can I use the services of a small local agency? I’m looking for the simplest way to hike for several days. Also, how do you get from São Vicente to São Nicolau? Thanks in advance and have a great day!
Aichatou
I’ve been wanting to do this for several years, and this year’s the one. Next September, I’ll be trekking in Tusheti (Georgia), from Omalo to Shatili.
Of course, I won’t be renting a vehicle that’d just sit unused. No problem getting to Pshaveli, but from there to Omalo, it’s a dirt road (still the case?)
There must be some form of public transport since there are so many guesthouses, and not all travelers come in a 4x4.
If any of you have been to Omalo, could you confirm that these shared transports exist and how often they run?
we’re planning a trip to Yellowstone and hoping to do a three-day backcountry hike if we get a permit.
if any of you have done this before, could you let me know if it’s possible to find water along the way? And if we can transport it, are we allowed to use a stove?
Hello,
I’ll be in Nepal from March 6th to 29th (we’re flying into Kathmandu via Varanasi and leaving via Delhi).
I’m a bit confused about the regulations requiring a guide.
My wife and I (we’re 63 and 64) aren’t experienced trekkers—we’re more used to walking on terrain with very moderate elevation changes. I’m looking for fairly easy hikes, possibly day trips.
Here are my questions:
- Does the Poon Hill trek from Pokhara require a guide, or is it better to go through a local agency? (I’ve seen a lot of them offering 4-day packages)
- I’d like to do a few multi-day hikes around Jomsom (Kagbeni, Mukitinath, Lupra, Marpha)... Do you need a guide for those, and can you find accommodations easily without booking in advance?
Last question—I’m really hesitant to lug around a sleeping bag or down jacket during our 6 weeks in India. Can you easily find these kinds of items at reasonable prices in Pokhara?
Thanks in advance for any tips you can share!
Yann
I’m a 56-year-old man who’s done several treks in Nepal and elsewhere. Also passionate about photography.
I’m looking for one or more people to form a group for a trek in Nepal. The trek is the Annapurna and Manaslu circuit (24 days), including a stop at Tilicho Lake. I’ve got a great itinerary and the local company seems solid. The price is around $1600.
I’ll be in Nepal from April 5 to May 12, 2026, so the trek would need to happen within those dates.
