HomeTrailsGR 20 Principale vs Via Alpina Red R160

GR 20 Principale vs Via Alpina Red R160

A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.

GR 20 Principale Via Alpina Red R160
Distance 173 km 18 km
Elevation gain 9,520 m 1,197 m
Typical duration
Difficulty
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network National International
Country France France
Best time to hike Best months: June, August Best months: July, August, September, November
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

GR 20 Principale vs Via Alpina Red R160: which should you hike?

At 173 km, GR 20 Principale is the longer route — roughly 155 km more than Via Alpina Red R160 (18 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Via Alpina Red R160 is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.