When trekking comes to mind, thoughts often turn to exotic lands and distant continents! Of course, we all dream of those exotic and adventurous expeditions to foreign countries, where the thrill of being somewhere new adds to the satisfaction of a sporting challenge. But sometimes, everything you need to satisfy your appetite for long-distance walking is right on your doorstep — no need to clock up thousands of kilometres on a plane! So why not go trekking in France, where there is more than enough to offer, without any embarrassment, and above all without burning through your bank account on flights and more. Let's explore 8 treks or long-distance routes — some well-known, others less so — across our beautiful country.
The Grande Traversée du Jura
The Grande Traversée du Jura is a fantastic route, walkable at any time of year (in winter on snowshoes or by cross-country skiing, in summer and spring on foot). More demanding than it looks, and with a strong regional identity, this trek in France is a thoroughly interesting discovery — thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, the superb views of the nearby Alps, and the excellent and varied accommodation options all along the route.
The Customs Officers' Path
The Breton coastal path, running roughly from Mont Saint-Michel to the Gulf of Morbihan, covers around 1,600 kilometres and more than 70 days of walking. Each stage is a highlight of beauty, wild coves and enchanting coastlines. All along the GR34 you'll discover an ancient Brittany, with strong traditions and a rich heritage and folklore. Here is an original trekking route in France — along the sea rather than in the mountains — accessible to most walkers, and one that will introduce you to a fantastic region. This path is best enjoyed in spring or September to avoid the summer tourist crowds in certain spots.
The Pyrenean Traverse
Two routes compete for the title of the Pyrenean Traverse. On one side, the more demanding Haute Route des Pyrénées, and on the other, the GR10 — easier, but still dotted with climbs and descents into the valleys. In any case, whichever version you choose, traversing the Pyrenean range (generally from Hendaye to the Mediterranean) is a great pleasure — such is the beauty, wildness and intimacy of this massif. Around two months of walking for the most seasoned adventurers, encountering fantastic flora and fauna and a land with culture and traditions that have remained very much alive. A must-do once in a lifetime!
The Alpine Traverse via the GR5
Here is a trek in France that is accessible despite the grandeur of the scenery and the massif it crosses. Around 30 days of walking to travel from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean via the GR5: a long trail, but more accessible than, for example, the Pyrenean route — not technical and not too difficult, it allows almost anyone to complete a true traverse of the Alpine arc, discovering fantastic landscapes along the way: Chablais, Beaufortin, Vanoise, Briançonnais, Ubaye, Mercantour…
The Tour du Queyras
Where the Alps begin to mingle with Provençal scents, you find the Queyras — a magnificent massif in the southern Alps. One of the most accessible routes in the Alps, it offers a good number of 3,000-metre summits that are relatively easy to reach. With fewer crowds than in the northern Alps, the Queyras, with its authentic and rural villages, offers alpine pastures and rocky plateaux that are a joy to walk through! You'll leave your Tour du Queyras on the GR58 with a head full of beautiful memories and a sense of having truly connected with an unspoilt and pristine natural environment.
The Tour des Aiguilles Rouges
The Tour des Aiguilles Rouges is relatively unknown to the general public and inevitably suffers from the imposing presence of its neighbour, Mont Blanc, which draws the crowds. Yet this still under-the-radar route is well worth the visit — the beauty on offer is extraordinary! And if you love Mont Blanc, the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges actually offers the best viewpoint of all, particularly from Lac Blanc — a favourite spot for photographers looking to capture the highest peak in Europe. This is a week-long route, admittedly best suited to experienced walkers, but one that offers unique sensations and an exceptional panorama.
Corsica via the GR20
It is a legend of hiking in France, a must-do trek in France! Corsica has magnificent sea and mountain scenery, and adds the sporting challenge of a demanding route to make it something of a myth. Corsica has a unique beauty that makes this trek a very popular route today. It remains a must, however — perhaps best enjoyed outside the peak busy periods to fully appreciate its charms in a slightly more personal way.
Of course, there are many other routes to explore (the subject of a future article), but these are either iconic or quite original and lesser-known. They all require a passion for walking and endurance, along with a dose of training. In any case, they are all an invitation to travel and escape, and to discover a beautiful and vibrant France. 8 trek ideas in France that will make you forget the everyday and leave you in brilliant shape at the end of your route!
Great trekking routes in France
Tour des Lacs d'Auvergne The GR30, the walking trail of the Tour des Lacs d'Auvergne, is still little known but offers a magnificent setting for solo walking. At the heart of the Auvergne, you can discover Lac de Chambon, Lac Pavin, the ascent to the summit of Puy de Sancy (breathtaking!) and the vastness of the Cézallier — a fantastically remote landscape that invites reflection and daydreaming. Here is a trek where you won't encounter the crowds, only admirable scenery of calm and soothing beauty.
The Grande Traversée du Jura
The Grande Traversée du Jura is a fantastic route, walkable at any time of year (in winter on snowshoes or by cross-country skiing, in summer and spring on foot). More demanding than it looks, and with a strong regional identity, this trek in France is a thoroughly interesting discovery — thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, the superb views of the nearby Alps, and the excellent and varied accommodation options all along the route.
The Customs Officers' Path
The Breton coastal path, running roughly from Mont Saint-Michel to the Gulf of Morbihan, covers around 1,600 kilometres and more than 70 days of walking. Each stage is a highlight of beauty, wild coves and enchanting coastlines. All along the GR34 you'll discover an ancient Brittany, with strong traditions and a rich heritage and folklore. Here is an original trekking route in France — along the sea rather than in the mountains — accessible to most walkers, and one that will introduce you to a fantastic region. This path is best enjoyed in spring or September to avoid the summer tourist crowds in certain spots.
The Pyrenean Traverse
Two routes compete for the title of the Pyrenean Traverse. On one side, the more demanding Haute Route des Pyrénées, and on the other, the GR10 — easier, but still dotted with climbs and descents into the valleys. In any case, whichever version you choose, traversing the Pyrenean range (generally from Hendaye to the Mediterranean) is a great pleasure — such is the beauty, wildness and intimacy of this massif. Around two months of walking for the most seasoned adventurers, encountering fantastic flora and fauna and a land with culture and traditions that have remained very much alive. A must-do once in a lifetime!
The Alpine Traverse via the GR5
Here is a trek in France that is accessible despite the grandeur of the scenery and the massif it crosses. Around 30 days of walking to travel from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean via the GR5: a long trail, but more accessible than, for example, the Pyrenean route — not technical and not too difficult, it allows almost anyone to complete a true traverse of the Alpine arc, discovering fantastic landscapes along the way: Chablais, Beaufortin, Vanoise, Briançonnais, Ubaye, Mercantour…
The Tour du Queyras
Where the Alps begin to mingle with Provençal scents, you find the Queyras — a magnificent massif in the southern Alps. One of the most accessible routes in the Alps, it offers a good number of 3,000-metre summits that are relatively easy to reach. With fewer crowds than in the northern Alps, the Queyras, with its authentic and rural villages, offers alpine pastures and rocky plateaux that are a joy to walk through! You'll leave your Tour du Queyras on the GR58 with a head full of beautiful memories and a sense of having truly connected with an unspoilt and pristine natural environment.
The Tour des Aiguilles Rouges
The Tour des Aiguilles Rouges is relatively unknown to the general public and inevitably suffers from the imposing presence of its neighbour, Mont Blanc, which draws the crowds. Yet this still under-the-radar route is well worth the visit — the beauty on offer is extraordinary! And if you love Mont Blanc, the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges actually offers the best viewpoint of all, particularly from Lac Blanc — a favourite spot for photographers looking to capture the highest peak in Europe. This is a week-long route, admittedly best suited to experienced walkers, but one that offers unique sensations and an exceptional panorama.
Corsica via the GR20
It is a legend of hiking in France, a must-do trek in France! Corsica has magnificent sea and mountain scenery, and adds the sporting challenge of a demanding route to make it something of a myth. Corsica has a unique beauty that makes this trek a very popular route today. It remains a must, however — perhaps best enjoyed outside the peak busy periods to fully appreciate its charms in a slightly more personal way.
Of course, there are many other routes to explore (the subject of a future article), but these are either iconic or quite original and lesser-known. They all require a passion for walking and endurance, along with a dose of training. In any case, they are all an invitation to travel and escape, and to discover a beautiful and vibrant France. 8 trek ideas in France that will make you forget the everyday and leave you in brilliant shape at the end of your route!
