Dreaming of distant, exotic treks without heading abroad this summer? France is packed with itineraries for escaping into nature! Beyond the well-known long-distance routes like the GR20, you can also put together highly original mini-treks lasting anywhere from 3–4 days to a week. Here are some suggestions for places and regions to explore for unconstrained walking without leaving the country!
Whatever your destination, this summer there are plenty of opportunities to escape and find wild places in France for multi-day walks. The key is to train properly beforehand and to kit yourself out accordingly for the region you're visiting. The hiking clothing are an essential part of your comfort and enjoyment on a trek, whether short or long! Explore our collections of women's hiking shirts and men's hiking shirts.
Circumnavigating Lake Annecy via the summits
Here is a route along alpine balcony paths where your eyes will be delighted by both the jewel that is Lake Annecy and magnificent summits rising above 4,000 metres. You'll need about a week to complete this trek, starting from Annecy (and finishing at Menthon-Saint-Bernard, where you can catch a bus back to Annecy). Several variants of this lake circuit exist, but the most straightforward is: Annecy – Semnoz massif (refuge du Semnoz) – col de Leschaux – col du Solier – refuge du Roc des Boeufs – col de la Bornette – Blanc Plat – refuge de la Combe – col de la Forclaz – Pré Vérel – summit of la Tournette – chalets d'Aulps – Lanfonnais – col de Bluffy – Menthon-Saint-Bernard. This mini-trek is challenging without being overly technical, and well worth the effort — the region is simply stunning while remaining very accessible.
Circling Mont Viso in the Queyras
Mont Viso, which peaks at 3,841 metres, is one of the iconic summits on the Italian side of the Alps. Straddling the border between France and Italy, it's possible to trace a highly rewarding loop around it in roughly 6 days. You'll discover breathtaking mineral landscapes and stunning lakes that will lift your spirits along the way! What's more, numerous trails offer a wealth of variants and options in this region, which lends itself beautifully to travel on foot. One suggested route is to set off from L'Echalp and circuit the Viso, passing successively through the Jervis, Granero, Viso, Quintino Sella, Valente and finally Agnel refuges. There are a host of refuges along the route, allowing you to complete this circuit by adapting each stage to your level or your desire to spend more time in the area.
The tour of the Chaîne des Fiz
This range of beautiful summits sits just a few kilometres from the Mont-Blanc massif. You'll have the chance to discover striking aiguilles and the Platé desert, a magnificent and rarely visited wilderness. For a 3 or 4-day loop, you can set off from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, then pass by the refuge de la Sales, the col de Portette, the refuge de Platé, head towards the tête de Lindars and then discover the striking chimneys of Monthieu, before stopping at the refuge de Varan and going on to explore the Tête Pelouse. There are also of course options to extend the route, but even this itinerary will give you a fine taste of the still little-known Chaîne des Fiz.
The Grandes Rousses massif
From Chamrousse, exploring the Grandes Rousses is a true walker's delight, with lush green plateaux and spectacular passages. This mini-trek of around 6 to 7 days is primarily based on the GR 549, but numerous variants are possible. A suggested itinerary could be: Chamrousse – refuge Jean Collet – lacs Robert, via the col de la Pra – Rivier d'Allemond – Les Roncières via the col de la Mine de Fer – Pas de la Coche – gîtes de Pourchery or de l'Enversin-d'Oz – refuge de la Fare (2,300 m) via the plan du Cerf and lac Carrelet – lac du Milieu – La Grave. There are countless possibilities in this massif, and whatever itinerary you choose, you're guaranteed a week that's both physically rewarding and filled with wonder!
The tour of Pic Carlit
Pic Carlit is the highest point in the Pyrénées-Orientales and offers nearby trails that let you explore the region over 4 days. You can set off from Latour-de-Carol and pass by the Bouillouses refuge and lake. You can also push on to the Camporelle or Bésines refuges. The ascent of Carlit is of course something to do in a day during your itinerary: the view from the top is absolutely stunning. Furthermore, the region enjoys plenty of sunshine in summer as well as nearby beaches where you can unwind after several days of walking!
Discovering Mont Lozère!
Mont Lozère, standing at 1,699 metres, overlooks the Grands Causses and Cévennes region. Halfway between landscapes worthy of the Massif Central and with southern hints, it offers a fantastic playground for walkers with a taste for wide open spaces! To explore it over around 4 days, you can set off from Florac and follow the route from the signal des Laubies to the pic de Cassini, passing through the col de Finiels, which adjoins the summit of Mont Lozère. Weather in the region can be unpredictable and you should pack accordingly. That said, in summer this should be a bucolic journey through small hamlets, granite outcrops and high-altitude pastures.
Whatever your destination, this summer there are plenty of opportunities to escape and find wild places in France for multi-day walks. The key is to train properly beforehand and to kit yourself out accordingly for the region you're visiting. The hiking clothing are an essential part of your comfort and enjoyment on a trek, whether short or long! Explore our collections of women's hiking shirts and men's hiking shirts.
