The great outdoors, the wild animals, the long hours of walking in the middle of mountains and forests… Hiking is a passion shared by thousands of French people, at different levels. Some like to walk on easy trails for a few hours, while others prefer to face the unevenness and the elements by leaving for several days in complete autonomy. It doesn’t matter whether you are more attracted to the sea or the mountains, and whether your physical condition is athletic or not. There are hikes for all tastes and all levels on our beautiful territory.
The GR 20, in Corsica
The GR 20, en Corse. Par Jonathan : https://www.flickr.com/photos/33808803@N03/
Let’s start in a beautiful way with this picturesque path which crosses the island of Corsica from North to South. You will have 180 kilometres of trail to discover the mountainous landscapes, the fauna and flora of this very special department. But beware, this hike is not for amateur walkers. It requires some physical preparation and experience. The GR 20 is done in 7 to 15 days depending on the weather conditions and the level of the walkers, and the differences in altitude are very important. But the aches and pains and the continuation of the effort are well worth the reward offered by the view of the island’s relief.
The Way of Saint James of Compostela
Le chemin de Compostelle. Par Christian MANGE : https://www.flickr.com/photos/23149310@N06/
A mythical route if ever there was one, the Way of Saint James of Compostela is a dream for many, but few have the courage to set out for several weeks to cross the South of France and reach the Spanish coast. There are several starting points, including three main ones in Tours, le Puy-en-Velay and Limoges. But all the roads meet in the Pyrenees before the border crossing. Some see the route as a religious pilgrimage dating back to the Middle Ages, others see it as an initiatory journey to reconnect with oneself. There are several ways to make this hike: either by taking only the bare necessities and sleeping under the stars, or by having one’s bags carried from one hostel to another to keep one’s strength up. But none is better than the other, you have to live this experience to understand its profound meaning.
The GR 34, in Brittany
Le GR 34 à partir de la digue de Saint-Jean-du-Doigt jusqu’à Beg ar Fry. Par Thesupermat — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint-Jean-du-Doigt_-_GR_34_-_023.jpg
The coastal path called Le Sentier des Douaniers is very well known to the Bretons and to lovers of the Atlantic Ocean. It runs along the entire coastline from the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire, a little less than 2,000 kilometres. There is obviously no obligation to cover the entire route, and you can start to train on small portions. However, if you feel like it, you should know that at a rate of 20 kilometres per day (which represents a steady pace), you will have to walk for 2 to 3 months. Postcard sceneries guaranteed!
The tour of Mont Blanc
Mt Blanc Massif from the French side of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Par M.Paley, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PublicTMB.jpg
This time, let’s go with the mountains and eternal snow lovers. What could be more extraordinary than the tour of Mont Blanc, if not the ascent up to the top of the roof of Europe? This extremely popular hike will give you the opportunity to pass through three countries in just a few days. Between passes, valleys, stone farmhouses, green pastures and rocky peaks covered in powder snow, you will be blown away by more than 150 kilometers of uneven terrain.
The GR 98, around the Calanques
Le GR 98, autour des Calanques. Par Emmanuel Viard : https://www.flickr.com/photos/111846053@N05/
This path, passing through the surroundings of Marseille and Cassis, is a great way to discover the Calanques and their national park. It is rather short (less than 100 kilometers), and can therefore be done in a few days, especially if you remove the end of the path that goes inland. The rocky peaks, wind-twisted pines, jagged cliffs and the blue of the sea make up a dream landscape for walking while admiring the wonders of nature. And if your legs are overstrained by the hike, there is no reason why you can’t relax with a swim or a dive.
Stevenson’s Path
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Let’s start in a beautiful way with this picturesque path which crosses the island of Corsica from North to South. You will have 180 kilometres of trail to discover the mountainous landscapes, the fauna and flora of this very special department. But beware, this hike is not for amateur walkers. It requires some physical preparation and experience. The GR 20 is done in 7 to 15 days depending on the weather conditions and the level of the walkers, and the differences in altitude are very important. But the aches and pains and the continuation of the effort are well worth the reward offered by the view of the island’s relief.
