Did you know that France was a perfect destination for hiking?
If the country is mostly renown abroad for its culture and art de vivre, it also offers breath-taking landscapes and preserved environments perfect for hikers and nature-lovers. Each region offers its own scenery and a wide variety of hikes, fitting every hiking level. For experienced hikers, there are plenty of challenging mountains to climb... France is definitely not a flat country!
Here is a list of amazing places for hikes in the country:
1. Gorges du Verdon (Provence)
Located at the very heart of Provence, the spectacular canyon offers several hikes according to your time and level. Everywhere, you will enjoy stunning views of the sheer cliffs and its green milk water. The gorges are also perfect for canyoning, mountain climbing, kayaking and rafting.
The Blanc-Martel is the most renown trail. It is a 15km walk ideal to discover the very heart of the canyon. It is named after the two explorers and their team who were the first to explore entirely the canyon with wooden canoes in 1905.
The Imbut trail offers one of the most beautiful hikes in the canyon. The level is also very difficult.
2. Cirque de Garvanie (Occitanie)
This spectacular rocky curved amphitheater listed a UNESCO Global Heritage, can be observed from various hikes, from easy to difficult level. Numerous waterfalls tumble down the wall onto the shallow Gave River creating one of the most beautiful French landscape. The most impressive fall, La Grande Cascade, is the tallest in France.
3. Mont Blanc (Alps)
The prestigious massif has been fascinating mountaineers for centuries. The Mont Blanc, also called "the Alps' Monarch" is the highest mountain in the Alps and in Western Europe with 4,808 meters above sea level. The best moment to discover it is during the summer as the weather can be very cold and unpredictable during the other seasons.
There are more than 400 different hikes to discover in the area. The site is also popular for climbing, skiing and snowboarding. The site owns a varied flora and fauna: chamois, deer, eagles and a range of beautiful alpine flowers can be observed.
4. GR20 (Corsica)
This mythical long distance trail crosses Corsica from North (Calenzana) to South (Conca). It is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in France and also one of the most difficult with 200 kilometers and an altitude of more than 11,000 meters. It can be done in 16 days, walking 7 hours per day. The hikers are rewarded with a wide variety of stunning natural landscapes. You also have the possibility to select one section of the trail, according to your time and level.
5. Marseille Calanques (Provence)
The Calanques are coves hidden by spectacular rocky cliffs facing the Mediterranean sea. There are various trails that allow the visitors to reach them by foot. Most of them are easy trails. The hike in itself is a must-do as it offers stunning views on the cliffs and the coves. Once arrived in a Calanque, you will get the opportunity to swim in its turquoise water.
6. Saint-Jacques de Compostelle for spiritual journeys (France)
Since the 9th century, pilgrims have been hiking several trails leading to the famous town of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The Way of Saint James" crosses several France regions and seduce by the diversity of its natural landscape, the charming towns and the historic churches located on the way. The trail offers easy to moderate hikes.
The legends says that Saint Jacques went to evangelize Spain. He landed in Andalusia and travelled to Galice. After a few years he came to Jérusalem where he was beheaded. Two followers buried his body in the place that later became Saint Jacques de Compostelle. It is only at the beginning of the 9th century that the hermit Pélage got visions and followed the stars leading to Saint Jacques' grave.
7. Brittany custom officer's trail (Brittany)
The GR34 is the best trail to explore the Breton Coast. From Mont Saint Michel to the Bridge of Saint-Nazaire, the trail covers more than 2000 kilometers. The trail was originally created in 1791 so that the custom officers could prevent smuggling. They were walking along the coast night and day to watch the ships. During this beautiful and easy hike, you will walk between the green land and the cliffs or the beaches. You will get the chance to discover the beautiful Pink Granite Coast named after the romantic color of its rocks.
8. On the steps of Robert Louis Stevenson
The GR70 trail starts in Auvergne and ends in the Cévennes, passing by the Velay area with volcanic reliefs and agricultural fields, the Gévaudan, a land of legends with wild forests, the Mont Lozère, a bare massif and the Cévennes, a land of green mountains and rocks.
The trail follows Robert Louis Stevenson's journeys in 1878 that inspired him one of his earliest published work "Travels with a donkey in the Cévennes".
9. Mont Saint Michel Pilgrim's trail (Normandy)
Mont Saint Michel is one of the most renown places for pilgrimages in France. The coastal trail offers a preserved nature, vast plains, forests, cliffs and beaches. An easy and mystical hike that will lead you to one of the most spectacular France religious sites.
10. On the steps of the Cathar (Occitanie)
The Cathar trail, which covers 250 kilometers, hides many historic treasures dating from the Cathar era. It takes at least 12 days if you want to hike the entire trail but you can also choose one section with the Cathar castles that interest you the most. In addition to its rich history, the Aude valley offers beautiful preserved landscapes between mountains, garrigue and vineyards.
The highest point is Bugarach with 1,230 meters above sea level. The legend says that this mountain would be preserved at the time of the Apocalypse .
....and there are so many others!
So, are you now convinced that France is the perfect destination for hikers?
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Thank you for reading this! :)
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