Top 3 hikes in France

Looking for an active getaway that’s a real change of scenery? Here are our three favorite treks in France to soak up nature and boost your energy this summer. Whether you’re craving stunning mountain views, peaceful forest trails, or wild coastal paths, these routes have got you covered. Lace up your boots and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

1. The Tour du Queyras: a loop at the foot of the peaks

Treat yourself to a week of walking and spectacular alpine scenery!

The Queyras is a mountain range located in the Hautes-Alpes region. It stretches from the small town of Guillestre in the west all the way to the Italian border. The Queyras Regional Natural Park (PNR) covers almost the entire massif, which means its wildlife and plant life are well protected, giving hikers beautiful, untouched landscapes to enjoy.

To complete the Tour du Queyras, you’ll follow the famous GR 58 trail. This long-distance path came in second place in the 2021 “Favorite GR” contest held by the French Hiking Federation (FFRandonnée). It’s popular among mid-mountain hikers because it’s accessible even if you’re not quite ready for high-altitude treks in France—yet it still lets you get close to some of the highest peaks, including Mont Viso at 3,841 meters.

You’ll cross meadows and larch forests with the high mountains as your backdrop. Along the way, you’ll stop in typical mountain villages like Saint-Véran—the highest commune in Europe at 2,042 meters. This GR trail uniquely connects all the villages in the valley, making it perfect for meeting locals and stocking up at small shops.

You’ll pass over the Chamoussière Pass at 2,884 meters, once used by traveling merchants. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add a little detour to bag a 3,000-meter peak by climbing Pic de Caramantran at 3,025 meters. By the way, don’t hesitate to use Whympr’s “peak visualization” feature to identify the summits around you in real time!

If you already have solid mountain hiking experience, know that this is one of the most accessible treks in France that still gets you close to the highest peaks. But if you’re a beginner, you might consider doing only a few stages. The full loop takes about a week (sometimes up to 10 days) and covers nearly 130 kilometers, with some days climbing over 1,000 meters in elevation gain.

Mountain huts will welcome you for the night (including the Agnel refuge) and can even prepare packed lunches for the next day.

Download Whympr on iOS and Android to plan your mountain trip and benefit from valuable community info.

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2. Trekking in the Calanques: one of the most stunning sea-view hikes in France

The perfect weekend escape between sea and mountains!

Still in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, but much further south, lies the Calanques National Park. It’s Europe’s first national park that’s terrestrial, marine, island, and peri-urban all at once. It covers 20,000 hectares of breathtaking landscapes—cliffs and hills, pine forests and evergreen oaks, and of course, the Mediterranean Sea.

This beautiful two-day hike through the Calanques between Marseille and Cassis follows the GR98 and GR51 trails over 25 kilometers. You’ll enjoy incredible views of the turquoise sea and the park’s unique vegetation. It’s pretty wild to think you’re right in the heart of untamed nature, yet just a short flight away from bustling Marseille.

In our opinion, this is a must-do trek in France if you want both a sporty hike and the chance to cool off with a swim in crystal-clear water.

Though the maximum altitude on this route isn’t very high (433 meters), the constant ups and downs—sometimes steep—make it quite a challenging outing. The rocky terrain adds to the difficulty, making the footing slippery and tiring for your legs. And near Marseille, some sections can be tricky, especially if the Mistral wind decides to blow.

The Marseilleveyre massif (right at the gates of the Phocaean city) and its Walkyries’ Woods is a must-see spot on this GR route. Along the way, you’ll also get to admire the stunning cliffs of Mont Puget, the highest point in the Calanques at 563 meters.

There are options to extend the fun with detours like the En Vau viewpoint or the Devenson cirque. And the best part? This is one of the rare treks in France you can do year-round without any special gear (no risk of running into snow here 😉).

Camping is forbidden in the Calanques, so you’ll need to head back to civilization to spend the night.

If you’ve got four days to spare, why not try the full Calanques crossing—from Carry-le-Rouet to La Ciotat? Nearly 60 kilometers of trails along the deep blue sea—that’s paradise!

To plan your trip, download Whympr, our mountain and outdoor app.

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3. The Tour du Mont-Blanc: one of the most famous treks

170 kilometers of long-distance trails circling the iconic Mont Blanc!

The Tour du Mont-Blanc (or TMB for short) is considered one of the most beautiful treks in France. Mountain villages, forests, alpine meadows dotted with rhododendrons, glacial valleys, mountain passes, lakes—the variety of landscapes is incredible, and the views are absolutely breathtaking.

To complete the full circuit, you’ll need between 7 and 10 days depending on your fitness level and chosen stages. You’ll cross through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland.

The loop can be done either way, but we recommend starting in Les Houches, near Chamonix, then heading around the massif toward Les Contamines. You’ll be trekking counterclockwise.

Resupplying along the way is easy, and you can even take advantage of bus, train, or ski-lift transfers. Super handy for cutting a stage short if you’re tired or the weather turns bad!

The highest point on this trail reaches 2,600 meters. Early in the summer, crampons can come in handy to cross some lingering snowfields, so make sure to check conditions before you go. Otherwise, you’ll just need your usual hiking gear. We invite you to read our article on essential mountain hiking equipment.

The ascent ends with the must-see Chéserys Lakes and Lac Blanc, offering stunning views of glaciers and the Grandes Jorasses.

For accommodation, you’ll have plenty of options—mountain huts, guesthouses, campsites, hotels. That said, we strongly recommend booking ahead during the high season. Camping is also a great option if you want a more independent trek.

This loop demands very good physical condition, as the climbs can be steep. In total, you’ll tackle around 10,000 meters of elevation gain. Let’s just say your legs will definitely remember it—but so will your eyes from all the amazing views!

You can find our detailed guides around Mont Blanc on Whympr or in print on the Vamos Édition website.

We hope these three trek ideas in France have inspired you to get out and explore the mountains. And don’t hesitate to share your adventures with our community to swap tips and recommendations!