Eco-friendly activities: What to do over 3 days in the mountains?
In recent years, eco-responsible tourism has been growing in France, particularly in the mountains. The mountains have become an ideal place for activities that respect both the environment and local communities. Check out a few eco-friendly activity ideas below for a 3-day mountain stay.
Hiking in the mountains
Hiking in a national park
In the mountains, the number one activity is hiking! Practised in summer and winter alike across the French massifs, it has the distinct advantage of being particularly eco-friendly. Moreover, France has 11 national parks, four of which are located in mountain areas:
Vanoise, Pyrenees, Écrins and Mercantour. So if you have a few days free, you can head out on the many long-distance hiking trails (GR). They cross the national parks and offer spectacular scenery along the way.
Hiking with donkeys
If you love animals and are looking for a unique activity to enjoy in the mountains, hiking with donkeys is probably for you. These gentle, placid animals will accompany you along the trails. They can carry your gear as well as the children, and are a delight for the whole family. Donkey hiking trips are available across France: in Savoie, the Vercors, the Southern Alps and even in the Mercantour national park. And for multi-day hikes, eco-friendly accommodation is often available for hikers.
Cycle tourism at ski resorts
The bike park in the Pyrenees
In recent years, ski resorts have decided to develop routes so that holidaymakers can explore mountain biking in summer. It's a different way to cover the trails while also being one of the most eco-friendly activities. The
Peyragudes resort in the Pyrenees has opened 19 mountain biking trails in its bike park. Enduro mountain biking, cross country, and even mountain scooters are on offer for both beginners and experienced riders alike. To round out its offering, the resort provides a unique experience with a full descent all the way to Loudenvieille, covering almost 1,600 metres of elevation drop.
Mountain biking in Savoie
For its part, the
Les Saisies resort located in Savoie offers a vast mountain biking domain with a panoramic view over the Beaufortain massif and Mont-Blanc. Indeed, Savoie has particularly developed its mountain biking offering, and the most sporty visitors can, for example, complete the Tour du Val d'Ary in two or three days. A great way to discover the mountain's flora and fauna over several days.
Climbing in the massifs
The Calanques massif: the birthplace of climbing
Climbing is an outdoor activity practised throughout the French massifs. This eco-friendly activity has the advantage of taking place in breathtaking locations. The Calanques national park massif sits between sea and mountain, offering numerous climbing sites. The Calanques de Morgiou and de Sormiou are well equipped and offer fairly long routes for climbers in search of thrills.
Climbing in the Verdon massif
The Verdon Gorge is home to a wealth of exceptional climbing spots, set within Europe's most beautiful canyon. Experienced climbers are particularly fond of the Hulk site, located in La Palud-sur-Verdon. Accessing this unique spot requires a 20-minute
approach walk, a zip-line crossing and a route made up of fixed ropes.
If you want to spend three days that are both unforgettable and eco-friendly, there are plenty of activities available in the mountains. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling or even climbing, the options are plentiful. To complete your stay, you can also opt for the most eco-friendly transport options and environmentally responsible accommodation at your holiday destination.
Images by Couleur & Lukas Prudil from Pixabay
