# GR 78 (France), France: what it is and when to go

> GR 78 (France) is a long distance hiking route in France (Saint-Girons). Interests: Hiking. The best time to visit is April to October. In June there are 15 h 09 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 51. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/chemin-du-piemont-pyreneen/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Long distance hiking route in France · Hiking
- **Where:** France
- **Best time:** April to October.
- **Nearest airport:** BOD Bordeaux, 252 km as the crow flies
- **Website:** [mongr.fr](https://www.mongr.fr/trouver-prochaine-randonnee/itineraire/gr-78-le-chemin-du-piemont-pyreneen)
- **Trail network:** National
- **Run by:** FFRP
- **From:** Saint-Lizier
- **To:** Castillon-en-Couserans
- **Coordinates:** 42.96549, 1.07947

## What it is and where

GR 78 (France) is a long distance hiking route in France (Saint-Girons).

It is in [Saint-Girons](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/saint-girons/), where this site lists 11 more places to see, 5.8 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 42.96549, 1.07947; the nearest main airport is Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD, Bordeaux), 252 km as the crow flies. How to get around France (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=42.965489%2C1.07947)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=42.965489%2C1.07947)

- **Trail network:** National
- **Run by:** FFRP
- **From:** Saint-Lizier
- **To:** Castillon-en-Couserans

It is one of the [Hiking](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/senderismo/) places in France. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit GR 78 (France) is **April to October**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 9 h 10 |
| February | Possible | 10 h 18 |
| March | Possible | 11 h 39 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 11 |
| May | Best time | 14 h 28 |
| June | Best time | 15 h 09 |
| July | Best time | 14 h 52 |
| August | Best time | 13 h 46 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 17 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 48 |
| November | Possible | 9 h 29 |
| December | Possible | 8 h 51 |

In June there are 15 h 09 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 51. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

When to go to France in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to France

To enter France there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the France checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and E · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112 · 15 ambulance (SAMU) · 17 police · 18 fire brigade.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Brasserie artisanale d'Ariège Pyrénées](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/brasserie-artisanale-d-ariege-pyrenees/): Brewery · 5.8 km
- [La Brouche](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/la-brouche/): Brewery · 5.8 km
- [Au Pays des Traces](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/au-pays-des-traces/): With kids · 5.9 km
- [Saint-Lizier Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/cathedrale-saint-lizier/): Cathedral located in Ariège, in France · 6.2 km
- [Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/chapelle-saint-jean/): Chapel located in Ariège, in France · 6.5 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the France guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/).

## More in France: Hiking

- [Camino de Santiago](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/camino-de-santiago/): Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- [French Way](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/camino-frances-01-san-juan-pie-de-puerto-a-logrono/): pilgrims' way, part of Santiago Way
- [GR 20](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/gr-20/): long distance hiking route in France
- [E3 European long distance path](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/ruta-europea-caminar-e3/): walking path
- [Tour du Mont Blanc](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/tour-du-mont-blanc-itineraire-principal/): long distance hiking route in France, Italy and Switzerland
- [E9 European long distance path](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/european-long-distance-path-e9/): walking path, Europe

Every France place under Hiking, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/senderismo/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is GR 78 (France)?

It is a long distance hiking route in France.

### When is the best time to visit GR 78 (France)?

April to October. In June there are 15 h 09 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 51.

### How do you get to GR 78 (France)?

The nearest main airport is Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD), 252 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=42.965489%2C1.07947) opens the route on the map, and how to get around France is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the France map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Brasserie artisanale d'Ariège Pyrénées](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/brasserie-artisanale-d-ariege-pyrenees/), [La Brouche](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/la-brouche/), [Au Pays des Traces](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/au-pays-des-traces/). The rest is in [the France guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/francia/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/2785399), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2962445), CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).

