What are the differences between the GR11, the High Pyrenean Route and the GR10?

ByEnrique López Mondragón
gr 10 vs gr 11

The GR11, the GR10 and the ARP/HRP are three routes that cross the Pyrenees from one end to the other, linking the Cantabrian Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. 

  • GR11: A certified trail that runs along the southern slope, close to the summits and with a drier climate than its brothers GR10 and ARP.
  • GR10: This is an approved trail that runs along the northern slope, with a greater accumulated difference in altitude and a more humid climate.
  • High Pyrenean Route (ARP/HRP): This is a non-approved and unmarked route that generally runs through high mountain terrain on the northern slope. It is a little more demanding and technical than the other two.
Guide GR11
Guide GR10
ARP/HRP Guide
🔥 Download the quick guide GR11

The GR11 and GR10 have in common that they are long-distance footpaths, i.e. approved routes, marked with red and white paint on the ground, and maintained by the corresponding mountain federations. The difference between the two is that the GR10 runs along the French side (North) and the GR11 along the Spanish side (South), with very different climates and landscapes. The GR10 is further away from the Pyrenean axis but has a greater difference in altitude. The GR11 is closer to the summits and crosses higher passes.

The High Pyrenean Route is different. It is not a certified trail and it is not marked on the ground, although it was marked with yellow paint and the route is usually shown on hiking maps. The ARP runs most of the time in French territory but more in the high mountains than the GR10. 

In the following drop-downs we go into detail on each of the routes:

General description:

  • RouteGR (long distance footpath) that crosses the Pyrenees from sea to sea, joining Cape Higuer in the Cantabrian Sea with Cap de Creus in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • strandThe route runs along the Spanish (southern) side of the Pyrenees.
  • Signagemarked entirely with red and white signs.
  • Length: 820 km.
  • Unevenness: +/- 42.230m.

Characteristics of the terrain and climate:

  • Proximity to summitsThe GR10: it goes closer to the summits and crosses higher passes than the GR10.
  • ClimateThe climate is drier and sunnier than on the northern slopes (GR10 and ARP).

Maintenance:

  • ResponsibilityThe mountain federations of the territories it crosses (Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon, Catalonia, Andorra) manage it.

General description:

  • RouteGR (long-distance footpath) that crosses the Pyrenees from sea to sea, linking Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay to Banyuls on the Mediterranean Sea.
  • strandThe route runs along the French (northern) side of the Pyrenees.
  • Signagemarked with red and white signs.
  • Length: 882 km.
  • Unevenness: +/- 51.410m.

Characteristics of the terrain and climate:

  • UnevennessAlthough it is further away from the Pyrenean axis than the GR11 or the ARP and does not pass through cols as high as these two routes, it is the longest route and the one with the greatest difference in altitude.
  • Climate: The climate is more humid and rainy than on the southern slopes, with persistent fog.

Maintenance:

  • Responsibility: managed by the French mountain federations.

General description:

  • RouteIt is not an approved trail and is not officially marked on the ground. It crosses the Pyrenees from sea to sea, linking Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay to Banyuls on the Mediterranean Sea.
  • strandThe GR10: it runs mostly on the French side, but in higher and more remote areas than the GR10.
  • SignageIn the past it was marked with yellow paint, but in general, hikers should use maps and GPS to find their way around.
  • Length: approximately 810 km.
  • Unevenness: +/- 51.200m.

Characteristics of the terrain and climate:

  • High mountainThe route runs deeper into the high mountains than its sister GR10 and crowns some peaks. It is the one that climbs the highest of the three, up to 3,009m on the Tuc de Molières. It crosses more technical and demanding terrain.
  • Climate: similar to the GR10 (northern slope), but with greater challenges due to the altitude.

Quick guide
GR 11

with everything you need to know before undertaking the Pyrenean Path