Hiking the GR54 in the French Alps 2022 | Part 4

Setting off on day 7 from Le Bourg D'Oisans, we overcome the heat and some dreadful dehydrated food and reward ourselves with a proper restaurant meal. Day 8 sees us heading over Plateau D'Emparis on a stunning day. On the final day, the only things that separate us from the spa baths of Monêtier are a thunderstorm and half the animal kingdom.

[@penelopeanderson8392]

I've enjoyed every step of this four part adventure Andrew. Thankyou so much for sharing it. Your photography is superb. Really felt as though I was on the track too. Beautiful.

[@pauljones5066]

like you say, excellent camera work and clarity throughout

[@briananderson5634]

Well done! What an adventure! You have arrived back at my special place!!

[@pauljones5066]

the whole thing looks marvellous, and very inspiring, thanks

[@andrewanderson68]

Thanks Paul! Probably my favourite hike so far.

[@jonathanhaynes6542]

Another epic adventure well done Andrew & Friend, As been great watch thank you...

[@andrewanderson68]

Thanks for watching, Jonathan!

[@jenspetersen672]

Haha I also had that particularie meal from trek and eat when I went on the WHW in june. Worst freese dried meal I have ever had

[@nicolasbertin8552]

Great videos, I think you could have combined all 4 parts into just one, but I enjoyed everything. I've hiked in the Ecrins a lot, only day hikes though. But I know the GR54 is one of toughest in France, alongside the GR20 in Corsica. The specificity of the Ecrins is that everything is incredibly steep with narrow paths. They just don't have the budget to maintain it that much, not like the Great Walks in New Zealand for example. My favorite areas are in the West, near Le Désert and all around the Meije. The South is a bit too dry and rocky for my liking, but it's still spectacular. If you're looking for more spectacular mountains in France, don't miss the Mercantour (a national parc as well), the Queyras (smaller but my favorite area, very authentic with minimal human impact), or the Vallée de la Clarée (another small area, just north of Briançon. I don't like the areas around Chamonix, it's just too touristy (it looks like most of the Dolomites). Vanoise has some nice secret spots, but too much is just scarred by the presence of so many ski resorts. And there are smaller mountain ranges that foreigners almost never visit : Belledonne, Chartreuse, Bauges, Vercors, or Devoluy, that are all worth it. The variety of landscapes is insane in the french alps. And you don't have to pay anything to visit.

[@andrewanderson68]

Thanks Nicolas, lots of valuable info in your comment. France is a great place for hiking and I particularly like the attitude to wild camping, I'll definitely be back again. I'm glad to hear good things about Queyras as I'd like to do the GR58 someday!

[@nicolasbertin8552]

@@andrewanderson68 The Queyras doesn't disappoint. The best time of year to visit is Autumn, end of September till the end of October especially if you can catch the larches with their orange coat. It is tricky to predict when they turn orange though, and sometimes they do it so late, the first big snow has already fallen. But of course Summer is better if you wanna enjoy that refuge food.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Cracking set of videos Andrew and congratulations for completing the trail, hoping to do this very one myself. Tell you what that big day in pt3 was an absolute beast of a hike. 💪🏻

[@andrewanderson68]

Cheers Robin, I say go for it! It's a hiker and wild camper's dream trail. Spectacular but mostly very quiet, feels very off the radar. The big day can easily be split into two shorter ones, still don't know how I managed it to be honest!

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@andrewanderson68 yeah I believe it's one of the quieter trails, good to know and the scenery looks amazing!

[@graemehindshaw4221]

Nice job fellas, you did some huge days there, and honestly I don't think you go for lightweight kit aside that Durston tent you have. Oof! Gonna check out your other treks

[@andrewanderson68]

Thanks for watching! I have a mix of lightweight and comfortable kit. Don't really get carried too away with the whole ultralight thing myself. Can't afford it for one haha!