Hiking in France

From rounding the foot of Mont Blanc to meandering along the sun-dappled Biscay coast, walks in France are the stuff of legend. This enormously varied nation has got a landscape for every mood. Explore exquisite river valleys like the Loire and the Rhône, roam in the spectacular mountain ranges from the Alps to the Pyrenees and trek for days through forests and past chateaux. 

With eight national parks on the mainland, including the stunning island of Port-Cros off the coast of Provence, and plenty more natural parks besides, hikes in France lead you into wild areas of supreme beauty. Hike the gorges and forests of the Ardèche, listen to birds on walks in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park and ascend for phenomenal views in Mercantour National Park. 

Hiking trails are innumerable, equally wild and rural as well-trod and well-known. You’ll seldom be far from a campsite and a patisserie either.