France walks

Wonderful hike through the Lower Verdon Gorges, starting in Quinson.

Visit the Trois Becs, the high points of the Forest of Saou. Correction: the elevation is 750 m instead of the 1071 m described.

Beautiful hike around the Giens peninsula by the beach path.

A complete change of scene in this superb canyon between two narrow cliffs. An unusual place where a crevasse plunges into nowhere, with a peaceful and shady atmosphere between boulders, lichens and ferns.

A walk beginning above the Gardon Gorges and continuing down along Gardon River. Please note that part of the route crosses an area destroyed by fires in 2017.

A hike to do preferentially during fall to admire the beautiful colors of the Indian summer reflecting off the lakes.

A hiking trail in the Auvergne summer pastures, on a summit overlooking the spa resort of La Bourboule.

Looking for a varied hike with different terrain? Then look no further than the Three Lakes Hike. Rooted footpaths, forest tracks, uneven terrain, crossing the Gazon du Faing, Lac Noir, Lac Blanc and Lac des Truites (also known as Lac du Forlet) and, on a clear day, a diversion to the Belmont Rocher observatory or Rocher de Hans. A lovely hike to do in fine weather. It's better for the scenery.

A walk of many faces! On forest tracks interspersed with paths through the city, you follow an old railway line with a tunnel and viaduct, finishing along the course of the river Yvette. A walk to enjoy at any time of year.

A beautiful walk along the Siagne, through the woods, with some lovely surprises in store: the Tuve bridge and its waterfall, a beautiful little beach, numerous ruins that bear witness to a major agricultural activity in the past, and a forest of centuries-old oaks that is nothing short of fairytale forest. In short, it's the perfect tour for nature lovers and those who enjoy a refreshing swim.

As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer. N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.

A beautiful walk up the Verdon by its bed ! A feast for the eyes from start to finish ! ⚠️The Sentier Martel is not very difficult for regular walkers, but you have to be careful. However, the trickiest part is the Imbert ladders (6 ladders, 252 steps), which are difficult for hikers prone to vertigo. The difference in altitude is overestimated. See comments at the bottom of this page

A beautiful hike to discover the beautiful sights of the Chevreuse valley: the Chatillonmill, the castle of Dampierre, the blacksmith’s, the villages of Fourcherolles, Senlisse and Choisel, Méridon castle, the village of Chevreuse and its small bridges along the Yvette, and Château de la Madeleine.

A fairly conventional circuit that lets walkers admire the Cirque de Navacelles and hike in the gorges of La Vis. The ruins of the Moulins de la Foux are the ultimate goal of the hike, with beautiful explanations of these water mills and on the underground portion of the screw, not yet fully explored.

This is a hike that starts with a ferry crossing. The objective is to take the two elegant bridges. The first bridge crosses the Drac. The second bridge crosses the Ebron. Satisfactory markings.

The walk descends the Hérisson ('hedgehog') River with its series of rapids and waterfalls, then returns via Bonlieu, passing through the Dame Blanche viewpoint, with a panoramic view over lakes Val and Chambly and the Herisson valley.

This hike will visit the village of Carcés, Carcés Lake and the splendid Caramy Falls. Best in the spring when the water flow is stronger. You also will take a part of the path of Saint Jacques de Compostela.

The beauty of the cliffs overlooking the sea. You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to €1,500. The Port Miou car park is no longer accessible, see reviews

A heritage walk in a bucolic setting, in the heart of the Hurepoix. Climb the Butte de Saint-Yon and the Bois des Roches, follow the Orge and Renarde rivers, and discover the charming church of Saint-Yon and the superb church of Saint-Sulpice.

Take a walk between Mormoiron and Villes-sur-Auzon on the trails of old ochre quarries.

Discover the dolomitic cirque of Mourèze, shaped by erosion, with exceptional views of the Lac du Salagou and the Mediterranean coast. This hike may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

A lovely easy walk, most of it by the sea.

The west summit of Saou forest, which marks the beginning (or end) of this forest.

In the footsteps of Jean Racine, in places steeped in history. A walk through a variety of environments, between forests, meadows and cultivated fields, with a lovely view of the ancient Abbey of Port-Royal des Champs.

This high-altitude hike gives you an exact view of the high mountains of the Ariège and their perched ponds. This small pond in a peaceful setting has an immediate charm. Moderator's warning as of 22/03/2021: Caution! in snowy conditions, very tricky passage; see reviews

Following the paths that wind through the rows of vines, this tour takes you to the foot of the rocky bars of the Dentelles de Montmirail, finely chiselled against the Provencal sky, with Mont Ventoux as a backdrop. Risk of fire and hunting: risk of fine! See the practical information section for details of local regulations.

Discover one of the most beautiful natural sites and one of the prettiest villages in the Franche-Comté.

A long hike across the Vercors Highlands ("Hauts Plateaux du Vercors"), to reach the Grand Veymont. Breath-taking view of the entire Vercors massif and Mont Aiguille.

A beautiful hike through the Hirschsteine rocks, an area less well known than the famous sentier des Roches, but just as impressive! You'll be amazed by the imposing metal staircase leading up to the rocks, the passageway carved into the rock and the vertiginous but safe path on the mountainside. Return via the ridges from Tanet. Beautiful views over the Munster valley and Lac Vert. This hike is not permitted in winter! (see practical information)

This is a magnificent hike through the red rocks of Estérel, looking over the blue of the Mediterranean with extraordinary viewing points.

A sublime hike around the Aiguilles de Bavella. A long and demanding hike (see practical information).

A very enjoyable loop on the peninsula of Bauduen alongside Lake Sainte Croix.

The first part of this walk alternates between woodland and fields. The return journey is through undergrowth, along the former railway line that used to link Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and Limours.

A circuit a dozen or so kilometers long in a green area among forests, streams and waterfalls. And especially crossing the Holzarté bridge which is the headline event of this quite demanding hike. If it is too physically demanding, you can turn around once you have seen the bridge.

A very fine walk in the heart of the Ardèche Gorge. You will have to descend a combe and follow the river along a path, with a small section fitted with ropes and ladders. You will admire a succession of corries, cliffs, little caves, rocks, pinnacles, rapids, sandy and pebble beaches. The cliffs are home to many birds. You climb up again to the plateau by another fine valley, affording very impressive views of the gorge and the loops of the river .

A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.

At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.

From Buis-les-Baronnies, walk around the Rocher Saint-Julien enjoying the views of the Baronnies and Mont Ventoux.

It's a very varied walk, combining nature, culture, history, tourism and curiosities. All of which means you won't miss a mile. And if you're lucky enough to do it in good weather, you'll come home feeling like you've just been on holiday.

Nice walk between the wild and steep ridge of the Alpilles and the plains of Romanin.

The not-to-be-missed Lacs d'Ayous, deep in the Ossau valley, with a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

A circuit around Uzès, discovering the Eure valley and its source that once fed the city of Nimes, then a loop through Gardoise scrubland to return to Uzès.

Magnificent gorges, especially in autumn. The climb up to the Chapelle Saint-André is a 2km round trip, but the view from the top is well worth the diversions. You will pass through the remains of the hamlet of Valbonnette. A little further on, another detour of around a hundred metres, to see the ruins of a house, where a large round pillar has remained in its centre, still with the notches used to fix the wooden beams on two levels.

Explore a particularly interesting woods above the town of Vans.

This hike is best done on a sunny afternoon, so that you can contemplate the view from the summit, which can be truly breathtaking if the air is dry. This hike may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

At the heart of the Alpilles Regional Nature Reserve, a small easy hike on good paths. The route takes you to the picturesque Rock with Two Holes painted by Van Gogh during his stay in Saint-Paul de Mausole from May 1889 to May 1890. It offers vast panoramic views over the two slopes of the Alpilles. To the south, in clear weather the view stretches to the Mediterranean, to the north over the Montagnette, the Gard, the Mont Ventoux, etc.

A beautiful hike in the hills of Tourves. A remarkable view over the Saint-Maximin plains and the mountain La Loube. Wonderful opportunity to discover and tour the Saint-Probace Chapel

A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

From Valleraugue, the famous trail of the 4,000 Steps up to the Mont Aigoual observatory. To make this route into a loop, follow the GR6 on the long descent to the forest towards Aire de Côte, before finally crossing the chestnut groves above the village of Berthezène.