From alpine mountain lakes to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from the lush valleys of the Massif Central to the rugged cliffs of Brittany, each region of France reveals exceptional natural and cultural treasures. Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful hikes in France, suited for all skill levels!
This list of the best hikes in France is by no means exhaustive. The country boasts over 180,000 kilometers of marked trails. Imagine the possibilities! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or an occasional adventurer, these routes promise moments of wonder, challenge, and, most importantly, a total escape from the everyday.
Get your hiking boots and backpack ready as we set off together to discover some of the legendary hiking trails of France.
Hiking in the Alps: Tour du Mont Blanc
- Region: French, Swiss, and Italian Alps
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Distance: 160 km
- Best season: June to September
- Duration: 7 to 10 days
- Starting point: Chamonix
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most iconic and spectacular hikes in Europe. Spanning three countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—this trail offers breathtaking views of the Alpine peaks, including the famous Mont Blanc, the highest point in Western Europe. While the full route typically takes a little over a week, you can also enjoy parts of it on day hikes starting from Chamonix.
This adventure takes you through varied alpine landscapes, from flower-filled meadows to shimmering glaciers, dense forests, and picturesque valleys dotted with mountain lakes. Hikers of all levels can find stages suited to their abilities, with well-marked paths and welcoming mountain refuges for well-deserved breaks.
Hiking in the Pyrenees: Cirque de Gavarnie
- Region: Hautes-Pyrénées
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7 km
- Best season: Year-round, even in winter with snowshoes
- Duration: One day
- Starting point: Gavarnie-Gèdre
Located in the Pyrenees National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cirque de Gavarnie is another must-see wonder in France. This spectacular glacial cirque, with its natural amphitheater-like cliffs, offers a stunning setting.
This hike, accessible to all levels, takes you through verdant meadows and shaded forests to the famous Gavarnie waterfall. With a drop of 423 meters, it’s one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. The well-maintained and marked trail offers spectacular views along the way, allowing hikers to soak in the wild beauty of the Pyrenees and observe a rich biodiversity. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some isards (a type of mountain antelope)—keep your eyes open!
Hiking in Brittany: Sentier des Douaniers
- Region: Brittany
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Distance: 2,000 km
- Best season: April to October
- Duration: From a day to several weeks
- Starting points: Saint-Malo, Vannes, or Lorient
Rocky headlands, wild coves, golden sandy beaches, and spectacular cliffs… The Sentier des Douaniers—officially the GR®34—is a true icon of France’s long-distance hiking trails. This coastal path, once used by customs officers to monitor the coast, now offers people breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Easily accessible for all levels, the GR34 provides an endless variety of landscapes: the Côte du Goëlo, the Crozon Peninsula, the Gulf of Morbihan, the Emerald Coast, and the Pink Granite Coast, to name just a few of the highlights. Given the diversity of scenery, it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes in France.
Hiking in Provence: the Calanques of Marseille
- Region: Provence
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Distance: Varies depending on the calanque
- Best season: May to October
- Duration: One day
- Starting points: Marseille or Cassis
With the mistral wind and the sound of cicadas, there’s no doubt you’re in Provence. Among the jewels of the South of France that are enchanting in all seasons are the Calanques of Marseille. Stretching from Marseille to Cassis, this peri-urban national park offers beautiful landscapes where limestone cliffs plunge sharply into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
While some calanques are easily accessible, others provide a challenge for more experienced hikers in good physical condition. Among the most popular calanques are Calanque de Sugiton with its emerald waters, the steep Calanque d’En-Vau, and Calanque de Port-Pin in Cassis.
Be cautious: the calanques are overcrowded in summer, and some have restricted access or even require reservations. This is, after all, one of the most popular spots for hiking in France. This new system is part of a wide-scale regional effort to focus on responsible tourism in order to protect these fragile nature reserves. You can find all the necessary information for planning your hike on the official Calanques National Park website.
Côte d’Albâtre: Perhaps the best coastal hiking in northern France?
- Region: Normandy
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 180 km
- Best season: Spring and Autumn
- Duration: From a day to several days
- Starting points: Tréport, Dieppe, Étretat, or Le Havre
White chalk cliffs, vast pebble beaches, and green meadows… The GR21, also known as the Cliff Trail, runs along the entire coastline of Seine-Maritime in Normandy. This 180-kilometer trail officially starts at Tréport, but you can explore its sections on a day hike.
You can’t miss the iconic cliffs of Étretat, famous for their natural arches and towering spires. The rest of the Norman coastline is equally worth discovering, with the wild stretches of the Côte d’Albâtre, the “valleuses” (narrow coastal valleys), and charming seaside villages like Yport, Fécamp, and Veules-les-Roses (designated one of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”). This side of Normandy has inspired many great Impressionist painters and will undoubtedly captivate you as well thanks to a wealth of natural wonders and quaint French charm.
Hiking near Paris: Fontainebleau Forest
- Region: Île-de-France
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: Varies depending on the trail
- Best season: Spring, Summer, and Autumn
- Duration: One day
- Starting points: Fontainebleau-Avon or Bois-Le-Roi
Sandstone rocks, centuries-old trees, and wooded trails… Fontainebleau Forest is a vast natural area covering 25,000 hectares, located just an hour from Paris. The various hiking trails, suitable for all levels, allow visitors to discover iconic sites like the Gorges d’Apremont, the Croix du Calvaire, and the famous Rocher de la Salamandre.
Ideal for a day trip, Fontainebleau Forest offers a breath of fresh air and a total change of scenery right on the doorstep of Paris, the world’s most visited city.
Hiking near Nice: the Blanc-Martel Trail in the Verdon Gorge
- Region: Provence
- Difficulty: All levels
- Distance: 16 km
- Best season: June to September
- Duration: One day
- Starting points: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
The Verdon Gorge, often called the Grand Canyon of Europe, provides a spectacular setting for hiking enthusiasts. Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, this exceptional natural site attracts adventurers from around the world, eager to explore its unique panoramas.
Among the must-see trails is the Blanc-Martel route, which takes 6 to 7 hours to complete and descends to the bottom of the gorge, showcasing its wild grandeur. Since this hike is not a loop, a shuttle is available to return to the starting point. For a shorter walk, the Imbut Trail offers a 4-5 hour hike through the heart of the gorge.
If it gets too hot, trade your hiking boots for a kayak to enjoy the waters of the Sainte-Croix Lake.
Hiking in the volcanoes of Auvergne: Puy Mary
- Region: Cantal
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 7 km
- Best season: Spring and autumn
- Duration: Half a day
- Starting point: Pas de Peyrol
With vast volcanic landscapes, breathtaking scenery, and alpine meadows, Puy Mary, located in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park, is a gem of the Cantal region. This dormant volcano, rising to 1,783 meters, is one of the most iconic grands sites of the Massif Central.
For hikers, Puy Mary offers an ascent that’s accessible to all, with a well-marked trail leading to the summit in about an hour. The climb may be steep in places with a 300-metres elevation gain, but it’s manageable for families. Once at the top, the 360-degree view of the Cantal Mountains and the Aubrac Plateau is absolutely stunning.
All photo credits: Hellolaroux
