Long-distance hiking trails in France

These trails will take you to the most beautiful landscapes in France and will immerse you in the soul of the country.

• E2 - once across France: The European long-distance hiking trail E2 stretches over 4,850 km and connects five countries. It starts in Galway, Ireland and leads through the French Alps to Nice, France.
• E3 - Highlight for mountain hikers: The E3 is a paradise for mountain hikers. Over a distance of around 6,950 kilometres, it connects the Atlantic coast near Santiago de Compostela in Spain with the picturesque beaches of the Black Sea in Nesebar, Bulgaria. The Pyrenees crossing in France is also one of the most strenuous stages of the Way of Saint James.
• E4 - the longest European long-distance hiking trail: With around 10,450 kilometres, the E4 is the longest European long-distance hiking trail. The route goes from Larnaka airport in Cyprus to Sagres on the Atlantic coast in Portugal. In France, the long-distance hiking trails ülead over very different terrain, from lonely forest paths to stony mountain trails.
• E5 - The classic with crossing the Alps: The E5 is probably the best-known European long-distance hiking trail, because it includes crossing the Alps. The total distance is about 3,200 kilometres and starts in Pointe du Raz in France. Your destination for long-distance hiking on the E5 is Verona in Italy.

The Grande Randonnée (GR) offer you an impressive network of long-distance hiking trails that stretch across almost the whole of France and even into neighbouring countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The abbreviation "GR" in France stands for "Sentiers de grande randonnée", which means long-distance or long-distance hiking trails 

With their fascinating routes, you will not only experience the beauty of mainland Europe while long-distance hiking on the GRs, but also adventures in French &Umersee areas and islands such as the famous GR 20 in Corsica or the GR R2 on the dreamlike island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

There are more than 13 GR routes in France, some of which follow other famous long-distance trails, such as the Way of Saint James and the European long-distance trails. All routes are well marked and you can hike in both directions.

The most beautiful GR routes in France:

• GR 2 - from Rouen to Dijon - 852 km - the long-distance trails run right through Paris.
• GR 9 - from Saint-Amour to Saint-Tropez - 990 km - you walk along the western Alps to the Mediterranean Sea
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• GR 70 - from Le Puy-en-Velay to Ales - 268 km - the so-called Stevenson Trail follows the route of writer Robert Louis Stevenson through the Velay, the Gevaudan, the Vivarais and the Cévennes.
• GR 145 - from Canterbury (GB) to Rome (Italy) - 2,107.9 km - the famous Via Francigena (Franconian Way) leads from Canterbury Cathedral in the south-east of Great Britain via France and Switzerland to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
• GR TMB - Around the Mont Blanc Group über France, Switzerland and Italy - 170 km - there are different routes, there are über 10,000 meters of altitude to überwinden.

The Via Alpina is a long-distance hiking network that crosses borders and includes five long-distance trails. They are called the Red, Purple, Yellow, Green and Blue Paths. The Blue Trail covers 61 stages through Switzerland, Italy and France.

From the majestic glaciers of Monte Rosa to the picturesque shores of the Maritime Alps, you cross the Piedmontese Alps on the impressive "Grande Traversata delle Alpi". At the end, the trail switches to the French side and takes you on a long hike into the quietest areas of the Mercantour National Park, before meeting up with the Red Trail in the charming village of Sospel.

The unforgettable Via Alpina - Blue Trail tour is a fascinating adventure. With a length of about 883.2 km and 61,406 metres of ascent, the challenging long-distance trails are designed for experienced hikers. Along the way, you will immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Western Alps, explore unspoilt nature in the Gran Paradiso and Mercantour National Parks and discover the picturesque mountain villages in the Piedmontese Alps.

The Blue Trail crosses the entire Alpine region and combines diverse natural and cultural spaces. From isolated Walser settlements in the Valais Alps to the majestic Monte Rosa massif, from ibex observations in the Gran Paradiso National Park to deserted mountain villages and the impressive Maritime Alps in France. On the Blue Trail, you will experience the full range of the Alps in all their breathtaking diversity.