Where does the tour start?

The official route starts in Dijon, capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, then heads towards Beaune, before reaching Santenay. However, you can start your tour wherever you like, depending on your preferred stages.

How long does it take to do the GR des Grands Crus?

Allow between 5 and 7 days to cover the whole of the GR de pays, depending on your pace and your tasting stops… Because yes, here the “technical” break can have a taste of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir!

Is it possible to enjoy wine while hiking?

Of course you can! The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne passes through some of Burgundy’s most legendary wine-producing villages: Gevrey-Chambertin, Meursault, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges… The perfect opportunity to discover the cellars and estates of the Côte-d’Or.

Is the route well signposted?

Yes, the GR des Grands Crus is signposted in red and yellow, typical of the GR de pays. The vines will guide you, but so will the signposting!

How do I get back to where I started?

The towns of Dijon, Beaune and Santenay are well served by train and bus. So it’s easy to round off your walk or do just one section of the GR des Grands Crus.

Level of difficulty: accessible to all?

The relief of the Côte-d’Or is gentle and pleasant. The GR des Grands Crus is accessible to both regular walkers and the curious looking for a first trek… provided you love vines!

When is the best time to go hiking?

From May to October, with a special focus on September during the grape harvest! The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne is at its most colourful.

Are there any maps or topographical guides?

Yes, an official guidebook dedicated to the GR des Grands Crus is available. It indicates the stages, points of interest and wineries not to be missed.

Why choose this country GR?

Because it’s one of the few trails where you can walk… through the climats classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The GR des Grands Crus is where hiking, culture and exceptional vineyards meet.

Family walk in Saint-Christophe — ©
The Storytellers

The Grands Crus GR the hike with a nose!

Looking for a breath of fresh air… and a drink? Then the GR® de Pays des Grands Crus de Bourgogne is for you!
Here you can swap your car for hiking boots and follow the vineyards on foot between Dijon and Santenay, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. A dream itinerary where every step has a taste of the terroir and every bend offers a new landscape to savour.

A Grand Cru walk in the heart of the Climats

For around 87 kilometres, the signposted trail (white and red, like the wines it passes through!) winds its way through wine-growing villages, dry-stone walls, historic walled towns and UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyards.
You are literally walking through the middle of the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne: these mythical plots of land shaped over centuries, where every square metre tells a story of soil, sun and know-how.

+ More about the GR des Grands Crus

Tastings and estates on the GR des Grands Crus

Hiking, local produce and fun

The GR des Grands Crus is not a sporting performance – it’s a sensory journey. You walk, you smell, you observe, you taste.
Stop off in Gevrey-Chambertin for a glass of pinot noir, pause in Beaune to stroll through the cobbled streets, make a diversion to Meursault for an exceptional white… and you’re on the most beautiful open-air table in Burgundy.

To each his own, to each his own

Whether you’re a seasoned walker or a Sunday stroller, there are a thousand ways to enjoy this GR:

Over several days, with stops in the wine-producing villages (there are plenty of gîtes and wine cellars),
In themed stages, to discover the secrets of the Climats,
Or simply on a day’s walk, for a gourmet kick-start.

In short, the GR des Grands Crus is the perfect combination of walking and wine-tasting – all served up on a platter of landscapes ranked among the most beautiful in the world.
So lace up your boots, fill your flask… and set off on a walk in the footsteps of Burgundy’s great wines!