GR5 from Lake Geneva to Nice: Water availability in August

Hi there, I’m struggling to get back into hiking and I’m considering tackling the GR5 from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean shores in August-September.

Since I can’t plan daily distances in advance, I’ll be bringing gear to bivouac.

I’m not familiar with this route and wanted to get an idea of water resupply options before setting off: are sources and streams still flowing easily in late summer on this GR, or should I prepare for long dry stretches? 😐

There’s no water issue except during the last stages (Mercantour-Nice).

Is it easy to find springs and streams that aren't dried up in late summer on this GR, or should I plan for long dry stretches? 😐

You’d need to describe the route, but generally, no major issues since you’ll come across resurgences and mountain streams. The problem would arise if you cross a limestone plateau, like the Vercors, for example. Again, plan your route with a topographic map.

Thanks for your replies—they’ll come in handy later or for others, since I’m changing my plans to something I hope will be less tough and better suited to my current condition. Still on the GR5, but this time starting from the German border (beginning on the GR53 before joining the GR5 at Col de l'Engin). No question of reaching the sea this time—I’ll stop at worst at Lake Geneva, and probably much sooner. 🤪

So now I’m wondering whether to open a new thread about the chances of finding water on this GR53 + GR5 route from Wissembourg to Lake Geneva, or if I should just ask here: is water easy to find between Wissembourg and Lake Geneva on the GR53 and then the GR5? 😇

Should I plan to carry just 1L or much more (3L?)?

Hi, I’m not familiar with this section, so I can’t really answer.

Hi there, I just read this post. I hiked the GR from Wissembourg to Nyon (in Switzerland) quite some time ago (over 10 years for the Vosges section, a bit less than 10 years for the Jura section). I broke the trail into segments of about 3 hours of walking, starting and ending at a road access point. I’d hike on foot and then bike back along the road (either before or after the hike). As a half-day hiker, I carried a small backpack with a 1-liter water bottle and didn’t worry too much about water. Sometimes, for convenience with road access, I’d go up to 5 hours of walking (rarely). In two Vosges segments, I ran into issues: 1- I planned Urmatt to Donon Pass. This is where the GR53 meets the GR5 just before the summit of Donon. I got thirsty during the second half of the hike (1 liter wasn’t enough)—it was a beautiful, hot June day. I can’t remember if there was water at the pass (I think not). 2- Hundsruck Pass to Ballon d’Alsace. This was the only 2-day hike I did on the route (due to road access). I wondered about water and took 2 liters. Day 1: Biked up to Hundsruck Pass. From Hundsruck Pass to Rouge Gazon, we leave the GR near Lac des Perches to head to Rouge Gazon, where there’s a hotel (it’s not far). Spent the night at the hotel. Used up 2 liters, but there are two farm-inns along the way, so resupply was possible. Day 2: Rouge Gazon to Ballon d’Alsace (where I’d left my car). Back near Lac des Perches, then onto the GR5. From what I recall, nothing along the way (used up 2 liters). Beautiful, hot June days.

Since my last reply, I’ve had a good internet connection and checked a website. I’m revisiting the Urmatt–Donon Pass section. The site lists it as a little over 7 hours of hiking (long and relatively tough). Lesson learned: I was so focused on road access that I clearly didn’t pay attention to the length of the route. Rookie mistake.

Over 10 years later, I still remember the "Urmatt–Donon Pass" segment (while I’ve forgotten almost every other section) and the lack of water in the second half of the hike. Anyway, bring way more than one liter for this stretch.

It would actually make more sense for this thread to link to the GR53 and GR5 from Wissembourg to Nyon.