Tour du Mont Blanc
One of Europe’s most iconic hiking routes, with Chamonix as a natural base and superb views along the way.
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France travel guide
Hiking routes
France is one of Europe’s most varied countries for travellers who want to experience nature on foot, from alpine classics and long mountain routes to gorges, national parks and quiet trails through small villages and open landscapes.
Here you can walk some of the continent’s best-known routes, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps and the GR20 in Corsica, but also discover less familiar regions where hiking becomes a natural part of the journey. France gives you a rare combination of major nature experiences, well-marked trails and places where it is easy to build an entire holiday around being outdoors.
On this page you will find a collected guide to hiking in France, with ideas for scenic routes, mountain areas and landscapes suited to both day hikes and longer walking holidays. Whether you want to walk in the Alps, explore the Pyrenees, experience Verdon or find quieter trails in national parks and green valleys, you will find inspiration and concrete ideas here.
Hiking in France is also about more than the trail itself. It is about combining nature with small-town life, local food, viewpoints, mountain villages and places to stay along the way.
Hiking routes in France
Six places where hiking becomes a natural part of the journey
France is an excellent country for travellers who want to experience nature on foot. You will find everything from alpine classics around Mont Blanc and demanding mountain routes in Corsica to dramatic gorges, national parks and long trails shaped by culture and history.
GR20 in Corsica
Corsica’s legendary mountain route with demanding terrain, ridges, rock and some of the island’s wildest scenery.
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Mercantour
A fine region for alpine day hikes and multi-day walks, with mountain lakes, valleys and easy access from Nice.
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Verdon
Dramatic gorges, limestone walls and classic hikes such as Blanc-Martel make Verdon a true highlight.
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Chemin de Stevenson
An atmospheric long-distance trail through Cévennes and the Massif Central, perfect for nature and history.
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The Pyrenees and Gavarnie
Wide valleys, waterfalls and high mountains make this a powerful choice for raw nature in south-west France.
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For different levels
From gentle day walks to demanding mountain routes
France works exceptionally well as a hiking country because you can choose between easy walks with big scenery and more ambitious routes that require experience, planning and several days on the trail.
Beginner
Beautiful walks with clear rewards
Verdon, parts of Mercantour and several hikes in the Pyrenees are good choices if you want a softer start with great views and memorable nature experiences.
Intermediate
More elevation and longer stages
Tour du Mont Blanc and several routes in Mercantour are excellent choices when you want more mountain atmosphere, longer walking days and a clear alpine character.
Experienced
Routes that leave a lasting impression
GR20 in Corsica is the clear choice for those who want one of the most demanding and iconic routes in France, alongside more alpine areas in the Pyrenees.
Destinations
Four places that combine naturally with hiking
Some destinations work especially well as a base before, during or after a hike. These four places fit naturally with the routes and regions on this page.
Nice and Mercantour
Nice gives you a comfortable base before travelling inland towards Mercantour, where alpine valleys and mountain trails wait only a few hours from the coast.
Avignon and Verdon
Avignon works well as part of a journey towards Verdon, where you can combine Provençal atmosphere with dramatic walks in southern France.
Chamonix and Tour du Mont Blanc
Chamonix is a natural starting point for travellers who want to experience Tour du Mont Blanc and some of France’s classic hiking routes.
Corsica and GR20
Corsica is the island for combining spectacular nature with one of France’s most iconic hiking routes, as well as quieter walks before and after GR20.