The GR10 is a famous walking route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It takes around 45-60 days to walk, but not all of us have that amount of time available. Why not hop in a hire car and speed up the process? The scenery along the way makes this one of the most picturesque road trips in Europe.
Here at Economy Car Hire, we have split the journey up into 4 manageable sections and given the travelling time for each. Please be aware that the time stated is only the time that is needed to drive the section and does not allow for any stops or excursions along the way.
Hendaye – Estaut (3 hours)
Pick up your hire car in Biarritz and head for the seaside town of Hendaye. Many walkers like to start the trip on the beach as this is a coast to coast walk. The town is very relaxed and has a traditional seaside atmosphere. Before you set off you can enjoy the immaculate beaches, maybe head to surf school or visit the local Chateau Abbadia.
As you drive out of the town take the D192 and then the D198 which will lead you all the way to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It would usually take the trekkers a week to reach this point, but after an hour’s drive you will be in the smaller foot hills of the Pyrenees. The drive itself will meander around the landscape which is dominated by lush green hillsides.
A Travellers Meeting Point
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a picturesque little town that is well worth a stop for refreshment and to enjoy a seat by the river. It is here that the GR10 intersects with the more popular Camino de Santiago and there is always a friendly welcoming atmosphere in the town.
Follow the smaller roads out of the town and cross-country, taking the D18 initially before passing through the villages of Mendive, Montory and Arette until you come to a junction with the E7. The E7 is a gorgeous mountain road that continues towards the border and into Spain. If you travel along the road southbound you will come across the small town of Estaut, which marks the 2 week point for most walkers.
Estaut – Arreau (4 hours)
The town of Estaut is a common rest stop for the travellers on the GR10. It is a fantastic place to rest their weary limbs and the pretty main square is a wonderful place to sit and relax whilst you gaze at the green peaks that surround it. There are some nice, but simple places to stay here and spending a night here will mean that you can spend more time on the next leg of the journey.
The next morning, head back north on the E7 until you come to a junction with the D294. As you head east you will drive through a dense forest that will sporadically clear to give you views of the surrounding mountains. After 2 hours you will come to the village of Estaut Via Cauterets, which is a perfect spot for some lunch. Whilst you are here you should take a walk to the Lac de Gaube which is a beautiful example of a mountain lake, with deep blue water rising into tall snow-capped mountains.
As you travel east you will travel through the village of Col de Tourmalet and continue until you meet the D918. Here you can take a right turn and complete the day’s journey with a short drive to Arreau.
Arreau – Merens (4 hours)
The town of Arreau is another ideal place to spend a night or two. From here you can take a day trip to the Vignemale Glacier, which is a great place to go ice walking. When you choose to leave the town, head towards Lannemezan and then take the A64 eastbound. For this short stretch of the journey you will not be in the mountains, but surrounded by green fields, adding a bit of variety.
You can also make a detour from here towards Luchon, where you can visit the Lac d’Oo Cirque de Gavarnie. It is a short walk from the car park, but certainly worth it when you see the huge waterfall dropping into the lake surrounded by lush green vegetation.
As you approach Saint-Martory, take a right turn onto the D117, which will take you back towards the mountains. From here head towards Aulus les Bains which is a pretty town and a good place to stop for a drink. If you would like a walk you can visit the Cascade d’Ars, which is a local waterfall an hour’s walk away from the village.
The drive from Aulus les Bains to Merens is up there with the most dramatic on the trip. It is only an hour and a half, but the drive through the valley, with the steep mountainous sides, is just jaw-droppingly magnificent.
Merens – Banyuls-sur-mer (3½ hours)
The final leg of the journey is also something to appreciate. The descent towards the blue waters of the Mediterranean is a much easier drive but there are incredible vistas galore. Take the N20 deep into the mountains and revel in your last taste of this incredible range before reaching Vernet les Bains. This checkpoint is usually reached by trekkers after 7 long weeks of walking and you will probably meet some weary travellers whilst you are here.
As you descend from Vernet les Bains towards Banyuls-sur-mer in the final hour of your journey it is a good time to reflect. The massive journey from coast to coast displays a magnificent display of the diversity of nature. Oceans, beaches, flat plains, lush forests, high peaks, deep lakes and icy glaciers. There are not many features you won’t have come across in this journey.
Be sure to relax and enjoy the sea breeze before you drop your hire car off in Perpignan, just a short drive away.
If you are looking for some other mountainous escapades then why not read our blog on Skiing in the French Alps, and be sure to read our post on How to Choose the Right Car for You before you embark on this massive road trip.
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Written by Nicholas Ferns from Economy Car Hire
