France is a haven for walkers – its routes range from gentle strolls amid medieval villages to demanding high-altitude hikes.
The country’s GR (Grande Randonnée) routes, a network of long-distance hiking trails that covers the whole of France, attract thousands of walkers every year.
GR trails are marked with red and white stripes, signposted and numbered, and are maintained by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (FFRP).
They encompass coastal areas, mountains, nature reserves and vineyards, and often take in ancient routes formerly used by shepherds, pilgrims or smugglers.
Steven Stark, from Portland, Oregon, with his wife Karen LindseySteven Stark
Some have even been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the popular pilgrimage routes through France which form part of the Camino de Santiago (see box).
Steven Stark, 67, from Portland, Oregon, walked part of the latter with his wife Karen Lindsey in August 2025.
They took the Voie du Puy-en-Velay, starting in Le Puy (Haute-Loire) and ending in Figeac (Lot).
The couple reported that the path had a more local feel compared to the international atmosphere on the Spanish section, which they walked in 2024.
“Le Puy is mostly full of French people, and many were out doing a section like we did,” said Mr Stark.
The couple opted for a self-guided walk, using a company to book accommodation and transfer luggage.
They organised their own trip the year before on the Spanish section, which was “more challenging but provided more flexibility”, Mr Stark said.
They chose this route specifically because they had heard how beautiful it was from other pilgrims in Spain.
“They were right,” said Mr Stark. “It’s wonderful, and the French people are graceful and kind.
“I loved exploring France at a walking pace. You can soak up the views and the atmosphere and the people as you wander along. I highly recommend it.”
He rated the level of difficulty of the walk as “medium to moderately hard”.
Guided tours
Some hikers prefer guided tours – whether to leave the logistics to others, gain confidence as a first-timer, tackle a challenging route or enjoy the social side of walking in a group.
“France is consistently one of our most popular hiking destinations,” said Sam Bruce, co-founder of Much Better Adventures, a UK-based travel company that offers a range of guided trips in France.
Among its most popular holidays is the Tour du Mont Blanc, one of the world’s most famous hikes that circles the Mont Blanc massif and spans France, Italy and Switzerland.
The company has seen a 71% rise year-on-year in the number of people booked to travel to France in 2026.
Many hikers are drawn to France for its diversity and infrastructure.
“It has that combination of dramatic landscapes and deep cultural richness that really resonates,” said Mr Bruce.
“You can be walking through wild Alpine scenery on iconic trails or criss-crossing the border with Spain in the Pyrenees, and then, a few hours later, sit down to incredible food and wine in a small village.
“The fact that it’s all supported by excellent trail networks and infrastructure is a huge draw, too. There’s something for everyone.”
Getting started
Tours generally include accommodation, food and bag transfers, as well as a knowledgeable guide.
“Our customers tend to be busy people who love the outdoors but who don’t always have the time or confidence to plan complex adventures themselves. They range from first-time hikers to very experienced walkers, but they all share a desire to travel in a meaningful way.”
His top tip for people looking to tackle their first hiking holiday in France is to choose a route that matches their fitness and experience.
“Don’t be afraid to start gently. France is brilliant for first-time adventurers because there’s such a wide range of beautiful options, terrific mountain refuges, and the trails are generally very well maintained.
“I’d also encourage people to embrace the cultural side of it – the food, the villages, the slower pace of life.”
Mr Stark also recommends taking things easy.
“My main piece of advice is to plan plenty of rest days in small medieval villages,” he said. “Don’t go too fast! And reach out to the French – they are wonderful.”
Record numbers
The Camino de Santiago saw record numbers of visitors in 2025, surpassing 500,000 for the first time, according to the Association française des chemins de Compostelle.
Some 520,000 walkers and pilgrims registered on the route, although the increase mainly reflects movements on the Spanish sections of the route, which rose by approximately 4.5% by the end of September and 6% by the end of October.
On French sections, attendance remained stable.
Nevertheless, the French Camino routes remain a popular choice for walkers and encompass the following four main trails:
Voie d’Arles – Arles to Puente la Reina (just under 1,000km)
Voie de Tours – Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (just over 1,000km)
Voie de Vézelay – Vézelay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (1,100km)
Voie du Puy-en-Velay – Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (750km)
