{"id":527,"date":"2024-03-31T17:12:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-31T09:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/the-8-best-hikes-in-france\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:04","slug":"the-8-best-hikes-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=527","title":{"rendered":"The 8 best hikes in France"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-block lg:w-full\" data-astro-cid-d3bt3f4h=\"\">\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Hiking in France is nothing short of glorious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">From soaring alpine peaks to billowing lavender fields and azure rivers corkscrewing down into deep canyons, France has a trail to match every mood, moment and ability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Our eight favorite French hikes take in everything from cloud-grazing peaks to Provence\u2019s drowsy, sun-kissed countryside and the wave-hammered beaches of the Basque Country. It\u2019s time to sling on your hiking boots and hit the trails.<\/p>\n<div class=\"relative w-full my-12 aspect-video\"><iframe class=\"absolute left-0 top-0 w-full h-full aspect-[16\/9]\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9U-1HahKwX8\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">1. Sentier du Littoral, French Basque Country<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best coastal day hike<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>25km (15.5 miles), 5\u20136 hours, easy<\/em><\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-673982433141\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-top\" data-slot-size=\"[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]\" data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-hiking-trails\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-size-mapping='[{\"viewport\":[0,0],\"slot\":[]},{\"viewport\":[300,0],\"slot\":[[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[768,0],\"slot\":[[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[960,0],\"slot\":[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]}]' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"p-3 text-xs leading-none tracking-wide text-center uppercase text-black-400\">\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-673982433141\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Tumbling Atlantic waves, rocky coves, countryside blanketed in <em>maquis <\/em>(scrub), and fishing villages snuggled below high cliffs provide a coastal stunner of a day hike in the French Basque Country. Forging a path between the Pyrenees and the Bay of Biscay, the Sentier du Littoral delivers one heart-lifting coastal view after another as it strides from Bidart to Hendaye via Saint-Jean-de-Luz.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Highlights are plentiful: the views of the Bay of Biscay from Colline de Cenitz, the cheerful seaside buzz of St-Jean de Luz, Socoa\u2019s chunky 17th-century fort and the dramatic cliffs of the Corniche. Follow the trail north to south for arresting sights of the Jaizkibel mountain range, the granite crown of Les Trois Couronnes and the 905m (2969ft) peak of La Rhune, topped by Neolithic dolmens and stone circles. Technically, the hike is a breeze, but, in summer in particular, pack plenty of sunscreen and water, and aim to walk in the early morning or late afternoon.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Hiker on the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail approaching Chasserades in the Cevennes, Lozere, France\" width=\"6016\" height=\"4016\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/france-D4DP4E-RM.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The Chemin de Stevenson Trail is a peaceful wander through lovely French countryside \u00a9 Jon Sparks \/ Alamy Stock Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">2. Chemin de Stevenson, C\u00e9vennes<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best hike for rural romance<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>270km (169 miles), 2 weeks, moderate<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">A love letter to Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, who trekked across the C\u00e9vennes in 1878 with his stubborn donkey Modestine, this hike is one of France\u2019s most classic and captivating. Read about the journey beforehand from Stevenson himself in <em>Travels with a Donkey in the C\u00e9vennes<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The route is the rural French dream, running from the forests of the C\u00e9vennes across the ragged granite Mont Loz\u00e8re massif into the rolling farmland and valleys of G\u00e9vaudan and Velay. Hikers weave from Le Puy-en-Velay to Al\u00e8s through forested ravines and rolling cornfields, passing ruined ch\u00e2teaux and stone-built hamlets, and crossing sunbaked hillsides to the soundtrack of cicadas and cowbells.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Fiery sunsets give way to nights spent camping or sleeping at simple rural g\u00eetes (guesthouses), as the scenery builds like a drumroll, saving the best for last \u2013 the Unesco-listed Parc National des C\u00e9vennes, bristling with beech, oak and sweet chestnut woods and scored by gorges, cliffs and rivers. This spectacularly biodiverse park is home to beavers, otters, roe deer and golden eagles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Several ridge ascents turn what would otherwise be a gentle walk into a more challenging hike, so come prepared. Hiking the full route takes around two weeks, or you can tackle one of the individual sections.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"A hiker crosses rocky terrain near Lac Blanc, Chamonix, France\" width=\"5415\" height=\"3697\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-josef-schafnitzel-GettyImages-1087842200-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">Lac Blanc is a vision of Alpine perfection \u00a9 Josef Schafnitzel \/ imageBROKER RF \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">3. Lac Blanc, Chamonix<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best hike for mountain fiends<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>11km (7 miles), 5\u20136 hours, challenging<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">If you\u2019re the kind of hiker who thinks it\u2019s cheating to stand eye to eye with one of Europe\u2019s most impressive mountains without breaking a sweat or getting a blister, this hike from Argenti\u00e8re near Chamonix to jewel-like Lac Blanc is for you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">It\u2019s all uphill from the starting point in Tr\u00e9-le-Champ in Argenti\u00e8re, with more than 1000m (3280ft) of rocky and rugged ascents to negotiate, and a few dizzying fixed ladders to climb. But it\u2019s well worth it: the Lacs des Ch\u00e9serys are a tantalizing prelude for sapphire-blue Lac Blanc, with its out-of-this-world view of 4808m (15,774ft) Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi.<\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-535772121808\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-middle\" data-slot-size=\"[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]\" data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-hiking-trails\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-size-mapping='[{\"viewport\":[0,0],\"slot\":[]},{\"viewport\":[300,0],\"slot\":[[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[768,0],\"slot\":[[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[960,0],\"slot\":[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]}]' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"p-3 text-xs leading-none tracking-wide text-center uppercase text-black-400\">\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-535772121808\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Wildlife thrives at these craggy heights, so keep a look out for mouflon, golden eagles and ibex. The icing on the cake is getting to eat at \u2013 or even better, stay the night at \u2013 the Refuge du Lac Blanc, perched at 2352m (7717ft). You\u2019ll need a head for heights, a decent level of fitness and good timing for this one, as it\u2019s proper Alpine terrain. The trail is only accessible from the second half of June through to September; before or after that, as the name &#8211; White Lake &#8211; suggests, you\u2019ll have snow to contend with.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Trekking on the GR20 trail in Corsica near the Aiguilles de Bavella hiking towards Refuge d'Asinao\" width=\"7360\" height=\"4912\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-07\/france-alex-treadway-GettyImages-1320538716-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The GR20 in Corsica is rightly regarded as one of Europe&#8217;s most challenging trails \u00a9 Alex Treadway \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">4. GR20, Corsica<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best hike for the sheer challenge<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>180km (112 miles), 2 weeks, challenging<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Of the many thousands of miles of sentiers (hiking trails) spidering across France, the trek hailed as the most epic is the GR20 in Corsica. This two-week, into-the-wild, no-holds-barred, knee-crunching monster sends a shiver down the spine of even the most experienced hiker. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that this beast of a hike exists on a Mediterranean island where many flock to chill on the beach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">But it\u2019s a beauty, too. Traversing the island from Calenzana to Conca, north of Porto Vecchio, it delivers non-stop drama, from deep ravines to glacial lakes, granite crags to wind-battered craters, peat bogs to snowy peaks and plains to forests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">This is one of Europe\u2019s toughest trails, and the terrain is hardcore, with plenty of steep climbs, exposed scrambles and slippery crossings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Some planning is required as you\u2019ll be drawing water from springs and sleeping in mountain refuges. Note that wild camping is officially not permitted, but people may casually turn a blind eye if you\u2019re discreet and gone by sunrise. The whole route takes two weeks; it may well break both your back and soul, but you\u2019ll be raving about it forever.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Trekkers on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc route in France\" width=\"5472\" height=\"3648\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-Vitalalp-GettyImages-965334140-RFC.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of France&#8217;s most famous Alpine routes \u00a9 Vitalalp \/ iStockphoto \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">5. Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Switzerland, Italy<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best long-distance hike<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>180km (112 miles), 10\u201314 Days, moderate-challenging<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The hugely popular Tour du Mont Blanc whisks you through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in France, Switzerland and Italy as it circumnavigates the gnarly, snow-polished peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. A test of grit and stamina, the trail twists up to sky-high passes, grazes glaciers and wild rivers, and plunges hikers into remote valleys and meadows bursting with wildflowers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Nights spent camping under starry skies or digging into a warm meal at a rustic mountainside hut. You&#8217;ll also relish peachy sunrises and sunsets, and the chance to glimpse altitude-loving wildlife such as marmots, chamois and ibex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The tour is accessible from late June to early September, but do come prepared for wild weather at all times; conditions can change at the drop of a hat. There\u2019s no need for technical gear (crampons, ropes, etc), but bring warm layers, waterproofs and solid boots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Starting and finishing in Les Houches near Chamonix, the trail is best hiked clockwise to acclimatize for the tougher climbs towards the end. Planning is essential as the mountain huts get booked out months ahead.<\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-899896951388\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-native\" data-slot-size='[\"fluid\"]' data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-hiking-trails\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10 shadow p-6\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-899896951388\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Walkers in an ochre landscape on the Sentiers des Ocres near the village of Roussillon, France\" width=\"3751\" height=\"2501\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2022-07\/shutterstockRF_657724072.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">Rust-colored landscapes await on the Sentiers des Ocres near Roussillon \u00a9 Telly \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">6. Sentier des Ocres, Roussillon<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best hike in Provence for families<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>1.5km (0.9 miles), 1 hour, easy<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">With its spectacularly eroded rock formations, blushing a color chart of reds from dusky pink to rusty terracotta, this canyon in Roussillon in Provence feels more like the American Wild West &#8211; especially beneath a pure blue sky.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">This former quarry was once for ochre mining, but today it is the cinematic backdrop for a short but astonishingly lovely circular trail, which weaves through a desert-like landscape of cliffs and ridges and groves of chestnut and pine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">This is an ideal short hike for families and has information panels on local plants and wildlife. Wear solid walking shoes and avoid white clothes as you&#8217;ll get pretty dusty. Walk the route from mid-February to December.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Stairs leading down towards the Puy de Dome volcano, France\" width=\"5110\" height=\"3407\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/500pxRF273891721.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The Puy de D\u00f4me volcano just calls out to be climbed \u00a9 Florian Leoty \/ 500px<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">7. Puy de D\u00f4me, Massif Central<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best volcano hike<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>6km (3.7 miles), 1\u00bd hours, moderate<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The area that makes up France\u2019s midriff remains sorely overlooked by hikers, but Auvergne\u2019s long-extinct volcanoes are a geological and visual treat. These ancient mounds that last blew their top more than 7000 years ago still crumple the landscape, while green blanketed countryside gives way to granite plateaus and glacier-sculpted valleys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Find here the vast Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional des Volcans d&#8217;Auvergne, and within it the Unesco World Heritage-listed Cha\u00eene des Puys, a 40km (25-mile) string of cinder cones and lava domes. The showstopper is 1465m (4806ft) Puy de D\u00f4me.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Many will jump on the rack railway to reach the top, leaving keen hikers to enjoy the peace of the Chemin de Muletiers: a short, steep old mule trail that hoists its way up wooden steps and along wildflower-fringed paths to the summit. This trail has been hiked for millennia, as pilgrims once used it to reach the Gallo-Roman Temple de Mercure that now lies in ruins at the top.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"A grand view over the Gorges du Verdon, France\" width=\"5616\" height=\"3744\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/LPT0612066.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The Gorges du Verdon offers some of France&#8217;s most spectacular views \u00a9 Lottie Davies \/ Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">8. Blanc-Martel Trail, Gorges du Verdon<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Best canyon hike<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><em>16km (10 miles), 6\u20137 hours, moderate<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">One of France\u2019s most stirring natural wonders is the Gorges du Verdon, where limestone cliffs razor above the startlingly turquoise Verdon River as it carves its way through the plateau to the Alps. In the shadows and hush of early morning, the canyon is utterly peaceful, enclosed by walls of rock reaching up to 700m (2297ft). Yet listen carefully, and you may hear the screech of a golden eagle wheeling overhead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The canyon can be admired from many viewpoints and picnic spots, but the way to truly get the measure of Verdon is to hike the Blanc-Martel Trail, which twists and turns through the gorge and down to the river. Later, the route sneaks along trails scored into the high canyon walls, occasionally dipping into a tunnel (bring a torch), traversing a bridge or teetering up a flight of wooden steps. It\u2019s a proper day-long adventure, with the odd steep descent and ascent thrown into the mix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">As the hike is point-to-point, you\u2019ll need to think about transport. The best option is to start your walk at Chalet de la Maline in La Palud-sur-Verdon and end at Point Sublime, where you can take a shuttle bus back to the trailhead. The gorge gets as hot as an oven in summer, so get a nice early start and bring plenty of sunscreen and water.<\/p>\n<link rel=\"preload\" as=\"fetch\" href=\"\/_server-islands\/RelatedBooksLayout?e=RelatedBooksLayout&#038;p=F60768A070995BB1394E43429Ii%2BQ1r%2FhO1Lr2C8xEGR5v0Hl3ccslTMySy37ozFMv5AzBjCIL5tHIf%2BBUxArTo6U4PXhJDfeNq7HvGHzGa%2FXUZrsJslFS5x7%2FIleQW0n%2B2iKesz3dHcj06F%2Bfuv1Xxc6T1TkY1r%2FZ3N7V%2FYz%2BBqOC7xgzz4YsCVjHjSYxI2%2FaYQJo3TaLHhipMlCE%2BN4dCY8REASfsZuLRk3hiJpKhDGGV%2FBuln9VIgIgPeY3tvBs2i0JVjuHdMgvoDrucPEvXeXvmFvcU0U6HbxM5%2BYIGjPFVI9ROAugTHDyOzAki5NdjbPEtWGhZxOViqns0NlrXx3FeexXFxu0wqLak0asBPU1B5VxaAZeV6qJ4d%2BVWbupCLM6tHpUohKXdo75gOz1%2Fp%2FPfVPZH%2FR8eEuQ0iT5M6xl%2F5lKBKh8xF%2B95zLXB55bzf8BVd%2Bg%3D%3D&#038;s=%7B%7D\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hiking in France is nothi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=527"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1133,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527\/revisions\/1133"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}