The 5 most beautiful GR in France to walk with your dog
Do you like hiking with your dog? Do you want to discover the most beautiful GRs in France with your dog? All my advice and my best spots in this article!
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Do you like to walk? Do you like nature ? Are you thirsty for adventure? Go hiking with your dog for several days. Musher and I are fans of this kind of escapades, because nothing beats walking to discover the beauties of our beautiful country: in the Pyrenees, in Brittany, in Corsica, the way to Saint Jacques de Compostela, the Tour du Mont Blanc , Let me introduce you the 5 most beautiful hikes to do with your dog, in France. Hiking is a perfect activity to share with your dog. This allows you to strengthen your bond while combining sport and the discovery of breathtaking landscapes.
As a bonus, find a special focus dog pack bag. When roaming or spending the day, your dog may carry his equipment. What equipment to choose? How to choose it well? You will find the answer to all your questions in our comparison “Dog pack bag"
Come on, bad troop ahead!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “You don't know which bag to choose for your dog? For Musher, I opted for the Ruffwear Approach Pack. I actually tested it during a trekking trip in the Pyrenees! However, every dog is different: that’s why I created one for you. comparison of the best pack bags for your dog ! Here we go !"
Crossing the Pyrenees with your dog
Are you a mountain, walking and long-distance lover? The GR10 is made for you! It is a mid-mountain route that requires solid hiking experience and good physical condition. Roxanne, Gérard and their three dogs won't tell you otherwise. They traveled nearly 800km and 52m of positive elevation and as much negative.
Note that it is not possible to do the entire GR10 with dogs because this route crosses the Pyrenees National Park and Neouvielle Reserve which are forbidden to dogs. You will therefore need to organize yourself in advance and define an alternative route bypassing these areas to be able to do everything on foot with your dog.
Discover the story of the journey of our adventurers in the article The GR10: the great crossing of the Pyrenees to do with your dog.
The Tour du Mont Blanc with his dog
The TMB or the Tour du Mont Blanc, in other words: 3 countries crossed France, Italy and Switzerland with 10 meters of elevation gain for around 000 km of discovery over 170 to 7 days of walking. It is a hiking route that you can do entirely with your dog; if you follow the same route as Hina and Maryon. There is, however, an exception: the reserve of Red Needles, totally forbidden to dogs. You can skip this step by TER.
It's a great way to discover the Alps with your dog. But beware, embarking on this kind of adventure requires real physical and mental preparation. No question of leaving on a whim. Maryon tells you the details of his preparation: physical preparation, preparation of his dog, supply points, equipment... a detailed decryption!
Do you want to know more about their adventure? Take a look at the article Do the Tour du Mont Blanc with your dog
The way to Santiago de Compostela with his dog
The GR 65 or the road of the way of Saint Jacques de Compostelle extends from Puy-en-Velay to the Spanish border, more than 5 kilometres. Hikers of all levels embark on the roads of this journey. You will discover a magnificent nature made up of monuments, forests, vineyards, hills, orchards and mountain ranges...
The GR65 is a mythical path that one travels for its landscapes or to reconnect with one's faith. Whatever the reasons for your departure, it is once again an experience that requires careful preparation. Hikers or pilgrims who embark on this challenge choose more or less long portions and generally do the route in several stages. Walk 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks several kilometers a day with your backpack on your shoulders: can you do it? What about your dog? Challenging yourself is what makes you alive, but be careful to challenge yourself realistically for your dog and for you. Your dog won't be able to go from his little daily walk to the local square to 20km a day!
And who says roaming and a fortiori, long roaming, says bivouac and accommodation in hard for a little comfort from time to time. The GR65 is very practiced and its accommodation, depending on the season, very busy. It's a real logistics to anticipate because your dog will unfortunately not be welcomed everywhere...
But what an experience to share with your dog!!! Walking alone can be an enriching and rejuvenating experience, but I am one of those who finds that walking with their dog is a thousand times better. And then, it's reassuring and reassuring to feel protected by your dog.
The GR 20: the legendary Corsican hike
The GR 20 is one of the most famous hikes in the world. It is one of the most difficult courses in Europe but breathtakingly beautiful! You can only marvel at the presence of many viewpoints over the sea. This 180 km Corsican hike requires excellent physical condition.
The trail crosses Corsica from north to south passing through the mountain range, in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south.
It takes 16 days for a classic hiker, one stage per day. At north of the GR20, you will face very technical passages on a sometimes steep path, while at South, the paths are less rugged and the terrain less hilly.
If you want to go to the end of this wonderful hike in the heart of the Corsican mountains, it is important to prepare your GR20 well, to analyze Steps, to reserve the shelters well as well prepare your equipment. And above all to prepare your dog well. Technical passages, lengths of stages, heat and water supply problems (depending on the season)… you can't take on the GR20 with just any dog! Thomas, Laura and their two huskies witness it. The heat was their worst enemy. Find the Corsican adventures of our adventurers in the article The GR20: A Corsican adventure full of surprises.
The coastal path with his dog in Brittany
The GR 34, or customs footpath, borders all of Brittany's coasts and is around 2000 km long. Starting from Normandy at Mont Saint Michel, it ends near Saint Nazaire in Loire Atlantique. Elected favorite GR of the French in 2018, this hike is to be done with your dog.
Brittany is a magnificent region, and I know what I'm talking about, I lived there for 4 years. I have often had the opportunity to test portions of the customs trail and Oh my god!, I have always been amazed by the beauty of the landscapes. What richness, what diversity, what scenery! And even if you do the course 10 times, it will always be different because of the tide, the weather and the season. Let yourself be surprised by the magic of Brittany.
I draw your attention to one point. It is a very busy trail in the middle of the tourist season and it is often a single track along the coast. Out of respect for other hikers, be sure to attach your dog or always have it at a good recall distance to be able to intervene if necessary.
There are many beaches and coves accessible from this trail, the hardest part will be choosing!
Musher being in love with water, I don't cut it. Stopping at the beach and swimming are compulsory, but be careful, rinsing with clear water is also compulsory so that the salt does not damage your skin and coat.
Among my favorite stretches, I would mention: Ploumanac'h on the Côte de Granit Rose, around the Crozon peninsula, Quiberon, the Gulf of Morbihan. I'm a fan of Northern Brittany, the water is cooler but the landscapes are wilder!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “Let's go on an adventure, friends! Which of these 5 hiking spots to do with your dog tempts you? Musher and I would love to do the GR 441, the Tour de la Chaîne des Puys through Puy-de-Dôme in Auvergne. The opportunity for a future article surely… It looks like a magical experience to share with your dog.”
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Read also
- Hiking with your dog cannot be improvised
- Bivouac and cani-rando in the mountains
- Where to hike with your dog?
Traveling with a dog
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