GR 21, long-distance hiking trail in Normandy, France
GR 21 is a marked long-distance footpath in Normandy, France, that runs along the Alabaster Coast between Le Havre and Le Tréport. The route follows the chalk cliffs above the English Channel, passing through small fishing villages and river valleys that cut through the coastline.
GR 21 was created in the second half of the 20th century as part of France's national network of long-distance footpaths, coordinated by the FFRP hiking federation. Before the trail was marked, the Alabaster Coast had no continuous path linking its cliffs and villages on foot.
The trail can be walked at any time of year, but spring and autumn offer milder conditions along the coast; summer can be windy on the clifftops. Good footwear is important because some sections near the cliff edges are narrow and uneven, so take care on wet days.
In several places, the GR 21 runs right along the top of chalk cliffs that are slowly being eaten away by the sea each year. Some sections of the path have had to be moved inland over time because the ground beneath simply collapsed into the water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
