GR 20 Principale vs Via Alpina Red R161
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 R161 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 173 km | 11 km |
| Elevation gain | 9,520 m | 463 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: June, July, August, November |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
GR 20 Principale vs Via Alpina Red R161: which should you hike?
At 173 km, GR 20 Principale is the longer route — roughly 163 km more than Via Alpina Red R161 (11 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 R161 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.
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