The beginning

Jean Loiseau, an archivist at the Banque de France, was passionate about nature and walking. His passion began with scouting, which he discovered in 1910. After the First World War, he founded a group of walkers, “Les Compagnons Voyageurs” (“The Fellow Travelers”), and he travelled with them on French and European routes for decades. They have an important advantage: they know how to find their way in the wilderness with a map and compass.

The word “hiker” had not yet been invented. Walkers were less numerous than today and were called excursionists, pedestrian tourists, or ramblers. In 1936, an important law was passed: the “paid holidays” law, which made it easier for French people to take holidays and allowed most of them to enjoy leisure activities.

It inspired Jean Loiseau: he wanted to share with others the pleasure of discovering nature on foot. Like his fellow travellers, they would follow routes without the risk of getting lost. He was able to observe the waymarking carried out by Claude-François Denecourt in the forest of Fontainebleau since 1842.

He looked at what already existed in some foreign countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and even in the United States, in the Apalaches, where they had the good idea of applying paint strokes to various natural supports (rocks, trees, etc.). Walkers are no longer afraid of getting lost as they follow the strokes. With the support of the Camping Club de France (founded in 1910), he began his project to create “long hiking routes” in France.

A few years later, in 1945, Jean Loiseau and the representatives of the CCF had the idea of presenting the project to the “Touring Club de France”, an association founded in 1890 by a group of cyclists, but which had already created a section for hikers in 1904 and had a commission for pedestrian tourism as well. It enthusiastically adopted Jean Loiseau’s project and decided to implement it immediately.

During the year 1946 were implemented a “Master plan” for the national network, signposting rules (the mark made up of a red stroke with a white one on top is adopted), and the recruitment of volunteers within the founding associations. In 1947, several sections of the future GR® were under construction: in the Parisian region, on the banks of the Loire, etc.

The “long routes for hikers” quickly become the “long-distance footpaths”. The words “hiking” and " hiker " are created simultaneously.

From the CNSGR to the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre

The Comité National des Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (CNSGR) “National Hiking Trails Committee” 22 August 1947 gathering several organisations : le Touring Club de France, le Camping Club de France, le Club Alpin Français, le Club Vosgien, les Excursionnistes Marseillais as well as scout movements and hostels. Its main ambition was to implement an actual network of marked routes to make hiking easier on the whole French territory. It allowed the foundation of the FFRandonnée a few years later. On August 31, 1947, the first 28 km section of the GR®3 was symbolically inaugurated in Beaugency. The start of a great and beautiful adventure.

In 1951, the GR® Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is achieved.

In 1952, 1000 km of GR® routes.

In 1956, an agreement was made with the IGN (National Geographic Institute) to feature the GR® on the new 1:50000 maps.

In 1957, the first topoguide of the GR®1 was published, printed on a roneo machine, without maps but with sketches.

In 1969: the CNSGR received agreement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports for outdoor activities.

In 1971 : the CNSGR is declared of public interest.

In 1972 : 10,000 km of GR® have been developed and 25,000 topoguides sold.

Over the years, thanks to the work of thousands of volunteers, the GR® network has expanded to cover all French regions. More and more hikers are choosing to use them. It was therefore necessary to think about their representation, which led to the creation of the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (French Hiking Federation) on 22 April 1978. That year, it received approval from the Ministry of the Environment for its role in protecting the natural environment.

1978, an important turning point

It then brought together many national and local associations, which naturally regarded the Federation as their representative. The purpose of the association, which was originally mainly to coordinate groups involved in the creation of long-distance footpaths, has been extended to include the study of all issues relating to hiking and actions to protect nature and the environment, as well as the representation and defence of the interests of hikers and their associations.

7 years later, in 1985, a new step was taken

In 1985, the Federation became a state-approved sports federation in accordance with the law governing the organisation of sports federations. This decision enabled it to organise itself with departmental and regional representatives, of which there are now 120. They bring together its driving forces - more than 13,000 volunteers, trailblazers, planners and an increasing number of community activists - with a growing and recognised level of professionalism.

Since 1986, its corporate purpose has clearly included the development of hiking routes, hiking and hikers.

In the meantime, some important dates to remember:

1980 : first waymarking charter (reissued in 1995 and 2006)

1982 : Official launch of the hiking leader training course.

1983 : creation of the PDIPR, Plans Départementaux des Itinéraires de Promenade et de Randonnée (Departmental Plans for Walking and Hiking Routes)

From the creation, development and maintenance of the “stadium” to sport practice and users.

1991 : the first individual licence is created. It is intended for members of affiliated associations and entitles them to take part in guided hikes throughout France, for all levels, destinations and tastes.

1992 : launch of the campaign “Save French paths” and collection  of 150.000 signatures. 1^st agreement signed with Gaz de France, historical partner of the Federation.

1993 : establishment of the first Hiking Information Spot on waymarked paths.

1994 : 21 regional conferences are organised with the support of local Gaz de France delegations for the safeguarding of French paths. 1^st Hiking fest : 350,000 participants.

1995 : at UNESCO, the national conference ended in the prestigious path preservation programme : chaussée Jules César, chemin du Chasse-Marée…

1997 : the Hiking Leader Federal Certificate is approved by the Ministry of Youth and Sports giving the delegation for hiking activities to the Fédération Française de la Randonnée pédestre. That same year, for the 50^th anniversary of the GR® footpaths a white paper was published, entitled “Heritage in danger, 800,000 km to protect”. Six hiking relays are organised from the borders and join together in Paris, which was designated capital of hiking with 50,000 participants.

1998 : the Court of cassation acknowledged the intellectual property of the Federation on the hiking itineraries. UNESCO classified the roads to Santiago de Compostella as World Heritage. The Federation signed an agreement with Gaz de France and the Ministries of Youth and Sports, of Employment and of the Environment as well as with the Secretary of State for Tourism and the DATAR (Interministerial Delegation of Land Planning and Regional Attractiveness) to create 120 “Youth jobs” to promote hiking routes.

1999 : “Walk to the year 2000” action in Paris, with 35,000 hikers. The Federation and Gaz de France participate in the exhibition of the Planetary Garden in the Grande Halle de la Villette.

2000 : Martinique welcomed the first Technical Meetings, held every two years, on hiking and its contribution to tourism.

The Gaz de France corporate foundation was awarded the Oscar for environmental sponsorship for its support of the Federation’s preservation actions.

2001 : for the Euro-Rando year, 10 hiking itineraries crossed 23 countries via 20,000 km of routes, 3 itineraries crossing France and converging in Strasbourg.

2002 : the Federation signed the Alliance with Gaz de France enabling regional and departmental committees to collaborate with Gaz de France regional delegates for the development and maintenance of the path as well as creating jobs for young people, etc.

2003 : in the Senate, the Federation organised a symposium over the topic “Can sustainable development save the heritage of French footpath?” with all the players in the field of tourism, planning, and environmental protection.

2004 : Jacobean Holy Year named “Year of mythical and legendary paths”. Launch of the operation “Un chemin, une école®” (a path, a school), 1^st Rando Challenges® French Championship and setting up of the Eco-Veille® (ecological monitoring) network.

2005 : Publication of the Agenda 21 programme in favor of sustainable development. The Federation modernised its visual identity and changed the logo. According to a Carat Sport survey that year, walking-hiking ranks top on French peoples’ favorite sports (68% of respondents) above swimming, tennis and football.

In 2007, 3,040 affiliated associations formed a network in French territory, metropolitan and overseas. At the time, the Federation had 180,000 kilometres of marked trails in France and 192,221 members. The FFRandonnée became one of the top 15 single-sport federations, ahead of athletics and table tennis. The pioneers of 1947 wouldn't have believed it! Nor could the millions of hikers who followed the famous white and red Ariadne's thread of the GR®.

In 2008, June 15: For the first time, together with its main partner, the Gaz de France hike will take place in the heart of historic Paris. Starting from the Place de la Bastille, the route takes in the Place des Vosges, the Buttes Chaumont and Belleville. 15,000 participants: a huge success!

In 2009, the FFRandonnée launches its strategic plan. It aspires to:

• fully serve the associations and their members
• Using its skills for all types of hiking activities
• Ensure the quality of the routes (accessibility, safety, maintenance, etc.)
• Strengthening its work with local authorities to promote territorial development
• Increase its notoriety and develop its resources

In 2010, the FFRandonnée launched the first regional GDF SUEZ Hikes, starting in Bordeaux. Lyon, Metz and Bordeaux would follow.

In 2011, the FFRandonnée launched a digital project to facilitate its work in the maintenance, development and promotion of hiking routes.

In 2013, as part of its digital project, the FFRandonnée created new jobs such as route data “collectors”. Using a specific grid, specially trained volunteers record: tracks using GPS, the surface of the ground and any irregularities on the path... This data is then entered into a GIS (Geographical Information System) as part of a national approach to managing the routes and harmonising their quality.

In 2016, the FFRandonnée launched MonGR.fr, the first national reference portal, a source of information and services dedicated to preparing your itinerary on all the GR® in France. As a true "digital companion", MonGR.fr offers complete, qualified and up-to-date information: reports, stories and news on touring, advice and tips and hiking suggestions with step-by-step instructions and maps, GPS tracks, accommodation and photos on the main long-distance hiking routes.

In January 2017, the federation became delegated for Aqua Walking. This delegation enables the federation to play a leading role in the competitive field, in the organisation of sporting events and in the setting of equipment and safety standards for the sites where the sport is practised. Aqua Walking, also known as coastal aquatic walking, is a walking activity and an outdoor sport in its own right.

Designed to give a breath of fresh air to the 28 million French people who regularly go hiking, walking for a few hours or backpacking for several days, this application has been created to inspire and facilitate hiking for all outdoor sports enthusiasts.

In practical terms, MaRando® is the result of the passionate work of the FFRandonnée's volunteer teams who, since 1947, have been marking out and maintaining a stadium with over 180,000 kilometres of footpaths.

In March 2022, at the invitation of the French Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, the President of the French Hiking Federation, Brigitte Soulary, signed her delegation contract for summer sports on Tuesday 14 March 2022, valid until 2025. As far as hiking is concerned, the FFRandonnée has been officially legitimised by the state delegation for all forms of hiking in all types of areas, particularly in the mountains and in urban areas. Without neglecting any activity, the Federation will increase its efforts to work on mountain hiking and to support the development of urban walking and active mobility. The FFRandonnée is also becoming a legitimate player in the development of pole walking. As far as Aqua Walking is concerned, the Federation's project to create a “French collective” and the international events that are currently being developed give full meaning to the delegation received.

Waymarking and signposting

To enable hiking and its development, the FFRandonnée has created a "stadium" that now includes almost 115.000 km of long-distance footpaths (GR® and GR® de Pays) as well as around 112.000 km of walking and hiking routes (PR®), making a total of 227.000 km recognised and maintained by almost 9.500 volunteer trailblazers of the Federation.

Waymarking types

The GR® : long-distance hiking route, point-to-point or loop, certified by the FFRandonnée. It is made up of a number and usually a name (for example : GR® La Loire sauvage à pied). It is marked in white and red. It allows you to discover an area or a region (administrative, geographical, historical, cultural, etc.) during a multi-day hike.

If the route remains within a geographical entity, it can be called GR® de Pays. It consists of one name only (for example: GR® de Pays Tour du Beaufortain). In this case, it is marked in yellow and red.

The PR® : walking and hiking route, point-to-point or loop, lasting a day or less (1)

It is marked in accordance with the official Waymarking and Signposting Charter. It is identified by a number and a name briefly describing the route (geography, history, heritage).

It may be offered as a single route or as a network of loops of varying size to meet the needs of different audiences. In a network of loops, each loop is identified by either a name or a number.

(1) A hiking day corresponds to one stage, i.e. a maximum of 20 to 25 km (or a maximum of 8 hours of walking in the mountains). Over this distance or duration, it is essential to have somewhere to stay (see certification procedure).

In the field, the marking of routes is carried out using various methods: paint, stickers, PVC plates, aluminium on range poles, signposts... and on various surfaces: rocks, trees, walls, poles... Their frequency depends on the terrain.

The waymarking and signposting of the routes is governed by an official charter. This charter ensures coherence within the territory and guarantees the quality of materials and production processes (respect for the environment of the route, sustainability of materials and colours used, etc.).

Here is a good example of the waymarking carried out by our volunteers on the GR®69 La Routo.

Your wish to support the FFRandonnée's waymarking activities with your donations

 >> DONATE

The activity report lists the actions implemented by the Federation’s 3 main sectors:

• The clubs and committees
• The routes
• “Support” and “cross-functional” departments

Each sector participates in setting objectives, which are defined for each 4-year sports Olympiad. All these objectives make up the FFRandonnée Federal Plan, which is approved by the ordinary federal general assembly. These objectives are broken down into actions of various kinds, relating to:

• Membership, activities, and training for the “clubs – committees” sector,
• Routes, protection of works and federal labels for the “routes” sector,
• Digital, communication, relations with other federations and partners, network (support for regional and departmental hiking committees).

Each year, the activity report is presented and voted on by the general assembly.

We invite you to read it. This will give you an overview of the work carried out by all those involved in the Federation each year.

The FFRandonnée 2022 activity report

>> Read the FFRandonnée 2022 activity report

Changing routes

Every year, FFRandonnée volunteers open up new paths all over France. This allows walkers to go even further and discover new territories. Sometimes unknown, these areas and regions are highlighted and revived to the rhythm of the strides. Long-distance walking has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with major routes being (re)created in France and Europe.

The GR®800 Vallée de la Somme, the GR®738 Haute traversée de Belledonne or the GR®69 La Routo are among these new routes. Today, they offer hikers a change of scenery at hand (or foot) and allow anyone to try their hand at backpacking.

Here you can discover some of the GR® routes that are more than ever in the news, and always very popular.

+ More informations in MonGR.fr

Since 1947, under the guidance of the 115 departmental and regional FFRandonnée committees, thousands of volunteer trailblazers have taken up their paintbrushes to mark out the 206.000 kilometres of footpaths - white and red for GR® and yellow and red for GR de Pays® (Grande Randonnée de Pays®) - that the FFRandonnée designs, conceives, manages, promotes and maintains.

These footpaths often hug ancestral routes and travel across outstanding natural sites. They are at the crossroads of culture, art, nature and heritage, as they preserve the traces of the past and still manage to evolve and look to the future. They are paths of travel, of self-discovery and discovery of others and a guarantee of adventure. These itineraries are the work of a Federation in motion, which, since its creation, has been constantly developing, protecting and promoting the hikers' playground.

Over 70 years of complicity between people and paths

It was Jean Loiseau who created the GR® routes. He was a passionate hiker and nature lover, and spent ten years after the First World War travelling the roads of France and Europe, compass and map in hand.

• In 1936, the introduction of paid holidays inspired him to share his passion for walking. He looked at waymarking techniques in foreign countries and was particularly interested in the Appalaches Park in the United States where they applied paint to various natural supports to mark the path to follow. In 1946, with the support of the Camping Club de France, he developed the rules for marking GR® routes: a red line with a white line above it.

• En 1947, le Comité National des Sentiers de Grande Randonnée est crée, sonnant ainsi le point le départ d’une belle et grande aventure, celle de la future FFRandonnée. La même année, le premier tronçon du GR^® 3 est inauguré à Orléans. L’année suivante c’est au tour du GR^® 1 en Ile-de-France. Un premier tronçon est inauguré entre Dammartin-en-Goel et Orry-la-Ville.
   
• In 1951, the GR® Tour du Mont Blanc was achieved. The following year, the GR® routes covered a total of 1.000 km. The first description of the GR® 3 was published in the magazine "Camping Plein Air".

• In 1957, the first topoguide to the GR® 1 was published, marking the beginning of a long series.
   
• In 1964, the GR® 1 loop was completed, and the topoguide was published shortly afterwards.
   
• In 1971, the Comité National des Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (National Hiking Trails Committee) was declared of public interest.
   
• In 1978, the CNSGR becomes the Fédération Française de la Randonnée pédestre (French Hiking Federation). The Federation now represents hikers, while retaining the technical role of the CNSGR, which was responsible for identifying, waymarking, and maintaining the routes and publishing the corresponding descriptions.

The history of the GR® is intertwined with that of the FFRandonnée. The routes are constantly evolving and there are now 304 GR® all over France. They are maintained by more than 8.900 volunteers through 115 regional and departmental committees.

A video on the history of the GR®, created for the 70th anniversary of their creation

Trailblazers, dream couriers

The creation of a GR® cannot be improvised, nor can its certification, waymarking, maintenance or management. FFRandonnée is the tireless guardian of this. The trailblazers it trains and certifies are its driving force. They are responsible for finding the magnificent sites that will host the new routes, as well as renovating, developing, clearing and managing the paths and, more recently, collecting digital data. These dedicated volunteers help to preserve the paths and share them with the 18 million walkers in France.

+ More informations in MonGR.fr

The Steering Committee

The FFRandonnée is managed by a Steering Committee composed of 24 members from 3 colleges - a medical college, a territorial college and a general college - elected at the General Assembly by the representatives of the affiliated associations for a 4-year term, corresponding to an Olympiad. Its role is to define the general policy of the Federation, to develop the federal project and to implement it. It also ensures the coherence of the actions of the Federation's departmental and regional committees. The President, elected from among its members, is the legal representative of the Federation.

Composition

The Board

• President: Brigitte Soulary
• Vice-president: Madeleine Lebranchu
  Great West inter-regional referent
• Vice-president: Maryse Gauttron
• Vice-president: Jean-Claude Marie
• Treasurer : Claire Chevalier
• Assistant treasurer: Louis Kormann
• General secretary: Lexie Buffard
  Great South-East inter-regional referent
• Assistant general secretary: Claude Ghiati

Other members of the steering committee

• Great West inter-regional referent: Jean-Jacques Bougault 
• Great North-East inter-regional referent: Frédéric Brouet
• Administrator: Sophie Chipon
• Great North inter-regional referent: Annette Gogneau
• Great South-West inter-regional referent: Anne-Marie Gresle
• Great North inter-regional referent: Alain Grimbert
• Administrator: Claudie Grossard
• Federal doctor: Catherine Kabani
• Administrator: Bruno Lamaurt
• Administrator: Frédéric Montoya
• Administrator: Michel Nicollet 
• Overseas inter-regional referent: Jacky Noc
• Great South-East inter-regional referent: Dominique Sibeud
• Administrator: Michel Simon
• Great South-West inter-regional referent: Jean François Solas

Members in an advisory capacity

• Director General : Grégorie Lartigot
• National technical director : Richard Carlon
• Director of International Affairs: Séverine Ikkawi
• Employees representative: Alexandre Durand

The regional and departmental committees

With a strong territorial coverage, the FFRandonnée is present everywhere in metropolitan and overseas France: it is represented by 115 regional and departmental hiking committees, federating about 3,500 associations or local hiking clubs. The committees are run by a steering committee of about twenty members elected at the General Assembly by the representatives of their affiliated associations for a 4-year term. They could not function without many volunteers (around 20,000), although some committees have employees.

The FFRandonnée wouldn't exist without its essential pillars, the regional and departmental committees and the clubs that are permanently active in many sectors.

• The committees act as a reference point for the development and promotion of hiking and work closely with local players, ministry representatives, tourism organisations and environmental protection agencies.
• As representatives of the Federation at the regional and local level, the committees ensure proximity communication with all hikers, whether they are members or not, on the occasion of major hiking events or at the trade fairs they attend. In this way, they promote different ways of hiking and the Federation's activities, thus contributing to its reputation.
• The Committees play an important role in the life of the local associations, providing support and advice on the creation of clubs and encouraging their affiliation with the Federation. They organise many events open to all (young and old people, disadvantaged groups or in situations of exclusion) encouraging social bonds and access to a popular sport. They are also committed to satisfying the appetite and desires of regular walkers, sports enthusiasts, and itinerant travellers…
• Committees are responsible for the network of hiking routes.  Their “footpath commissions” create and obtain official approval for the network of GR^® and GR^® de Pays routes, and also create and label the short-distance hiking routes PR (Promenade et Randonnée).
  The commissions coordinate the work of volunteer trailblazers and provide advice and expertise to local authorities.
• The committees are constantly taking concrete action to protect and preserve the footpaths and the environment. They are involved in safeguarding footpaths through information and mobilisation campaigns. They collect and pass on information about environmental damage on the paths reported by hikers or hiking clubs.
• The committees pay particular attention to training. They invest significant resources, both financially and in terms of volunteer hours. Training courses are open to all, members and non-members alike: hiking leader training courses, specific courses to discover natural and cultural heritage (fauna, flora, natural environments, etc.), path development and waymarking courses, and training modules to the attention of association leaders, etc.

Associations and hiking clubs affiliated with the FFRandonnée

There are around 3,500 affiliated hiking associations and clubs with a total membership of 243,700. They organise the practice of hiking and related activities such as Nordic walking, endurance walking, aqua walking… They are committed to training hiking leaders to ensure the safety of their members during their hikes. They enable their members to participate in hiking holidays and trips under the safety conditions that apply to associative tourism. In the context of associative waymarking, certain clubs are commissioned by the departmental committee to maintain and blaze sections of the trails. Finally, they play an essential role in creating and maintaining social bonds and stimulating local life.

Association members and RandoPass^® owners

In 2019, 243,700 hikers have chosen to hike with one or more affiliated hiking clubs: they are looking for safety and group friendliness. They have an annual sports licence issued by the association and benefit from special rates with the federation's partners: accommodation providers, tour operators and equipment suppliers. Volunteers are recruited from among them to lead the club's activities under the responsibility of the president.

Learn more about the licence issued by associations.

Other hikers prefer to hike on their own, with their family or with friends (6,900 in 2019). They choose to support the work of the FFRandonnée and its thousands of volunteers. Since the 2018/2019 season, they have subscribed to a RandoPass®, which gives them the same guarantees and partner benefits as the association licence. It is valid for one year from the subscription date and is issued on federal websites, particularly ffrandonnee.fr and MonGR.fr.

Learn more about the RandoPass^®