With its many mountainous massifs, France is a hiking country par excellence. From the Alps to the Pyrenees, via the Jura and the Massif Central, France offers a great diversity of hikes with diverse and varied landscapes. In the Alps, Haute-Savoie is a prime destination, with the Mont-Blanc massif and its unforgettable landscapes on the rock and snow giants overlooking the Chamonix Valley. On the other hand, the walker can also climb the Pyrenees mountains, with landscapes of exceptional quality maintained by traditional livestock farming. Further north, it is the Jura and the Vosges, a mountainous land that has passed through the ages. Finally, one should also mention the Massif Central, whose volcanoes have been extinct for several thousand years. All the hikes described on this page are also possible in winter with a pair of snowshoes or skis, which is an opportunity to discover the landscapes from a different angle.
5 March 2008 | by Pierre-Alexandre
With Montagne de Chevran, Mont Orchez constitutes a superb belvedere on the Valley of the Arve facing the Môle and the Bargy Massif.
Without any difficulty, the path gets through a beautiful forest by a sometimes very steep path. In wet weather, the descent can be very slippery
16 August 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Located at the southern end of the Aravis Range, Mont Charvin dominates the town of Ugine. The Lac du Mont Charvin, nestled in a beautiful basin at the foot of the eponymous summit is the goal of this hike.
There is no real difficulty: a very short and steep passage under the Col des Porthets and a brief
3 August 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Tour des Rochers de Leschaux is part of the excursions demanding little effort, but which still require a good physical condition considering the length of the itinerary, as well as a secure foot to get through several steep passages with high declivity (but no exposed passages).
The Rochers de Leschaux
29 July 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The panorama discovered at the top of the Petit Bargy will enchant hikers wishing to contemplate the greater part of the Aravis Range.
Made of limestone, the imposing Bargy Massif is ideally located for a discovery of the Aravis. In addition, many ibexes have settled on the
28 July 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
During a stay in Haute-Savoie, an excursion to the Balcon Nord is undoubtedly the one that will leave the most unforgettable memories.
The outing takes places in a magical setting in the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif, and goes from the Mer de Glace to
1 July 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Aouille or Aiguille du Criou is a large rocky plate that culminates at 2023 m of altitude by a vertiginous cliff of more than 700 m above the Refuge de Folly.
Highly visible from Samoëns, the Criou Massif is a belvedere of choice on the Valley of the Giffre, with a superb outlook on the Aravis
19 April 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Situated opposite Pointe de la Gay, this summit named Sur la Pointe is a hiking destination within easy reach of everyone, and is ideal for a nice family outing.
The summit of Sur la Pointe offers a beautiful panorama of Lake Geneva, the Roc d'Enfer and the pastures of Chablais, and overlooks
31 March 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Bois d’Hermance, located on the heights of Megève, is the object of a beautiful winter hike. Intended for hikers who have already practiced snowshoeing, this itinerary of average difficulty leads under the slopes of Mont Joly after passing through a pretty coniferous forest
13 January 2007 | by Pierre-Alexandre
From the Col de Pierre Carrée, which is the northern part of Flaine ski resort, it is possible to take a pedestrian route that leads among the pines to reach a beautiful point of view on the valley of Cluses and the ski resort of Carroz d ’Araches.
On the other side is the panorama of the immense
21 October 2006 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lac Damoz des Moulins is an ideal hiking goal by a hot summer day. Most of the itinerary takes place in a forest where reign freshness and pleasant humidity.
The lake of modest size is nestled at the foot of the Tavaneuse Massif in a calm and serene environment
9 October 2006 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Chalets du Truc is an easy walk from Les Contamines-Montjoie, facing Mont Joly, with a breathtaking view of Dômes de Miage, the Col du Tricot and Aiguille de Bionnassay.
This outing is accessible to all, because without any technical difficulty
1 October 2006 | by Pierre-Alexandre
ont Billiat is a fabulous site to discover the Chablais Massif.
Although of low altitude, its location offers a panorama on Lake Geneva on one side, Dent d’Oche and all the summits of Chablais on the other.
The well-marked trail is accessible to all