The Best Hiking in France

The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car is the #1 tourist destination in the world’s capital for extreme sports, Chamonix. For regular tourists, a trip to the top of the 3842 m-high cable car museum provides plenty of excitement for one day. But for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s just the starting point for countless high-altitude climbing routes.This route describes one of the most pop...

Étretat is a small tourist and farming town on the coast of Normandy, best known for its coastal cliffs. It features wide pebbled beaches, natural arches and an eroded rock—and hiking trails connecting them all together. I didn't spend much time in town, but it looked like a great little place to spend the day.The easiest way to get to Étretat is by car (trains no longer operate all the way to ...

This adventure begins at the Flégère gondola in Les Praz (a village in the NorthEast section of Chamonix), which is easy to get to with the free Chamonix bus. Take the Flégère gondola to La Flégère, situated at 1894 meters (6,213 feet). The ride up itself shouldn't take more than ten minutes, but standing in line may take up to 40 minutes if it's very crowded during the summer, so I suggest goi...

Begin at the marked path to the right of the parking lot, near the monastery. The trail is steep at first, but this lasts only for a few meters, in the undergrowth. When you leave the woods, follow the paved road for about one hundred meters, then turn left at the slope, indicated by an arrow sign. Continue along the path towards the entrance of the convent of the Sisters of Bethlehem. Entering...

Ideal for a day trip or a series of little hikes throughout various fields, the Plateau de Valensole is located in the Provence region of France.Every year in late June and early July you'll find lavender fields filled with purple blooms. Sunset creates a beautiful scene as it dips behind the surrounding mountains.If you've got a car, venture to the lavender fields at Mas Saint-Andrieux because...

This beautiful hike features ribbon and horse tail waterfalls backdropped behind wildflowers and grazing dairy cows along the creek descending the mountain. Though there are some steep sections to the hike, this day outing is accessible by all levels of adventurer.Getting thereAfter a short drive up from the town of Aime on route N90 to D87, there will be a parking area at the end of the road ...

It is at the place called Chalet de l'Aulp (1424 m) that we began this walk. This is after the tarmac road terminus. A small remark: the stony road but carrossable continues to the chalet where you can park your car. But you can also start it from a place called Les Prés Ronds (1216 m). At the chalet de l'Aulp, take the path on the right, which winds on the ridge in the direction of Pierre Chât...

The Roselend mountain pass is known in the cycling world for being part of the Tour de France, but in the winter it is essentially deserted. There are a few old buildings, a small electrical station and you'll perhaps see some locals out for a ski, but my bet is you'll feel magnificently alone in the alpine countryside.You will be snowshoeing on the road itself, which is closed and unmaintained...

Hidden among the many villages of the French Pyrenees is an amazing region of hiking trails, the most popular sight including the largest waterfall in Europe in a crescent-like shelter of gray, purple, and green rock faces—a cirque.  Hike past meadows, through forests, and on a rocky ridge.  The greatest part about this hike is not only the surreal beauty but the cultural experience that comes ...

Begin this hike by either making the 3.5 hour hike from the town of Chamonix to the top of Le Brévent (roughly 4,900 ft gain), or take the Brévent cable car to the top.(31€ roundtrip). Once at the summit take a moment to enjoy the 360° view, the fun is only getting started. After getting your fill at the summit follow the trail leading southwest from the summit towards the big green alpine area...

The Alsacian Wine road is a 110 mile long scenic road at the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The road begins at Marlenheim in Northern Alsace and ends south of the city of Thann in the south. The road goes through 73 scenic and historic villages. There are over 300 wine cellars offering tours and wine tasting.  In the summer many of the houses in the villages are adorned with colorful gerani...

An easy walk through and all around "La pointe". It's a loop that you can do in both ways. Just follow the tracks. It will take half an hour to do the circle. I did it with flip flops but I recommand proper shoes.

The valley of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is most well known for the mountain it’s named after, Western Europe’s highest peak. Yet just right across the valley on its north side lies a dramatic and beautiful range that cuts the horizon with tall rock spires: The Aiguilles Rouges.Part of the Rouges range, the Aiguilles Crochues Traverse offers incredible views and breathtaking heights for new climbers r...

You start the hike from the big carpark just outside the Cazevieille village (you'll find lots of signs to go there). The beginning is located on the top left corner of the carpark, close to the garbage.Why the carpark is so big ? Because a lot of people go there during summer ! Hikers, climbers and families, the place can be crowded. But it should not stop you ! Views on the way and from the t...

This hike begins at a trailhead on the side of the road just south of Etsaut at Pont de Cebers. Start by taking the famous, long-distance, Pyrenees route, the GR10.  You'll see a sign a yellow sign with distances throughout the hike.  The route you'll be taking is one that says "Col d'Arras par La Mature."  To kick off the adventure you'll first walk along the cool tube-like ledge, the Chemin d...

You can go there either by car, boat, or bus and then start hiking.I personnally did it using the bus service. It is quite simple, but since we were not in the high season, there was not a lot of bus going there. From Marseille, you need to go to the metro station Castellane and take the bus 19 that will bring you to Madrague de Montredon (we start hiking at this point because the other bus was...