Hiking France

This great association offers locals and the curious the chance to get together several times a week to explore the local paths and trails. The first and third Wednesdays of each month are devoted to a ten-kilometre walk in the Montmorency forest, Friday mornings are devoted to brisk walking, Friday evenings to sustained walking and Sundays are devoted to hiking, two or three times a month. Discovery, sport and conviviality are the order of the day.

The volunteers of this association propose outings in which members participate. Appointments are made in front of a Paris train station and hikers leave by train for a destination in an Ile-de-France department; it is possible to join the group at the arrival station. Longer hikes are organised for a weekend or more. The program indicates for each outing the distance or duration of the hike, its destination and the planned pace. Most of the exits are at average speeds, from 4 to 4.5 km/h. It will be very easy for you to find hikes adapted to your tastes and fitness level. They are free of charge, but transport and food costs remain the responsibility of the members. Please note that on a trial basis, you can participate in one or two hikes before joining.

The Association française Lamas et alpagas (AFLA) was born in 2010 from the merger of two associations: Alpagas et llamas de France (ALF) and the Association françaises des petits camélidés (AFPC). AFLA has over 200 members, both amateurs and professionals. The aim of this grouping is to pool everyone's efforts to promote and enhance llamas and alpacas in France, and to pool everyone's experience and objectives.

This is certainly the most beautiful nature hike in the whole of Haute-Savoie and therefore in the Faucigny Glières area. What is magical is that the Lessy lake, the final destination of this itinerary, is a real jewel of an alpine lake nestled at the bottom of a valley surmounted by a few peaks. What is even more magical is that the entire route offers fantastic scenery, so many good reasons to marvel at the beauty of the mountains. And don't forget that at the lake, a refuge and a refreshment stand are waiting for you to eat and refresh yourself.

By Cenise: medium difficulty, positive difference in altitude: 597 m. Apart from a scree slope that is a little difficult to cross to reach the Sosay pass, the path does not present any major difficulties. The quickest and probably the easiest approach

By Mayse: significant difficulty, positive difference in altitude: 944 m. A longer and especially steeper route than via Cenise. Indeed, this route, which first climbs through the forest and the mountain pastures, climbs towards the Forclaz pass at 1,844 m. Nice descent to the lake of Lessy.

Par Paradis: medium difficulty, positive difference in altitude: 494 m. This route is not very steep but has one or two small difficulties: a scree valley where the rocks can be slippery and the access to the ridge overlooking the Mayse valley (two rungs ladder).

A quiet, easy 1-hour walk. Starting from the abbey priest's garden, follow the croquenot (walking shoe) on a pink background towards the stream. You'll come across the miraculous spring and a protected wetland where irises grow in season. You pass the town hall, the old forester's house and the walled meadow. Then into the forest. When you reach the water reservoir, turn right onto a path (blue disc) leading down to the village, and continue along the forest track with a view of the village. You can also discover the IRIS walk, which completes this range of short family walks.

The hike from Cabrières d'Aigues to Mourre Nègre is a rather sporty excursion that takes you through a magnificent forest of Aleppo pines to the summit of Mourre Nègre. From the parking lot at Cabrières d'Aigues town hall, you'll follow a 16 km-long marked trail via the Chemin des Méritants, the Couleton and the Basse de Cabrières, before climbing the highest peak in the Luberon. In practical terms, this is a loop, which means you return to the starting point. Allow around 7 hours to complete this hike, taking into account breaks and individual pace. The reward at the top is well worth all the effort, as the breathtaking panoramic view over the southern Luberon, with its green hills, peaceful valleys and perched villages, is simply breathtaking!

The Harreberg area is particularly well-suited to hiking. There are numerous signposted routes starting from the village. These include

the Harreberg circular route, the longest (10.3 km), takes around 3h30 to complete, mainly on forest roads.

la circulaire des Picards, a 6.2-km circuit with a gradient of almost 500 m, takes 1h45.

la circulaire du Rocher des Siamois, a 6km hike between vegetation and minerals, where you come across two spectacular rocks standing like brothers, takes 2 hours.

the Krappenfelsen circuit totals 7.5 km and 600 m of ascent through the forest, past the Saint-Marcel grotto and beautiful viewpoints.

Following the club's motto: 1 day of trail, 8 days of health, the Club Vosgien invites you to explore the region by hiking along the signposted itineraries it maintains. With over 350 members, the Sarrebourg-Abreschviller Club is one of the Federation's largest. It maintains and marks around 650 km of trails, thanks to the commitment of some twenty volunteers. The Club Vosgien is a key player in tourism and in the life of the Sarrebourg and Abreschviller areas.

This beautiful hike for good walkers reveals the sites, rock carvings and landscapes on the slopes of the Zorn valley. For nearly three centuries, this small valley was home to numerous sawmills and glassworks, small industries that sprang up after the Thirty Years' War, attracting Swiss, Bavarian, Austrian and Picardy families to repopulate the region after the ravages of the plague and the exactions of Swedish and Bavarian mercenaries. Depart from the town hall to reach the ruins of the Pagan castle (Heidenschloss). The site first saw the erection of a watchtower over the Zorn valley, before a small castle was built to protect the valley passages. Later taken over by brigands, it took on the nickname of Château des Païens, a nickname shared with the ruin of another castle in Walscheid. The route climbs to the Rocher des Corbeaux, with its panoramic view over the Ententhal valley. You'll discover the historic meeting place of Presidents Kohl and Mitterand in 1983. At Rocher de la Paie you'll find an explanatory panel installed by the Club Vosgien de Dabo about the table on which forestry workers were paid from the ^19th to the early ^20th century. You come across an oratory and pass by a shelter built by the Club Vosgien, cross the Zorn, walk on ridges and through undergrowth... A varied and enjoyable hike.

From the Les Teppes parking lot, follow the path north along the forest track. Through the 28 switchbacks of the Forêt de Chevron, it takes you to the Croix de Périllet ridge, at 1,710 m altitude. From here, you can admire the view over the Combe de Savoie and the aerial path leading to the Belle Étoile, which is not recommended for those prone to vertigo. This summit, recognizable by its cross, offers a 360-degree panorama from its orientation table, culminating at 1,843 meters. A magnificent hike offering breathtaking views.

Leaving the parking lot at 900 m altitude, we take a path marked with red wooden posts to avoid the twists and turns of the road. At the first junction, turn left, leaving the Combe Noire path for the well-marked but steep Les Géants path. After following the pastoral track to the Chalet du Drison at 1,640 m, climb to the Col du Drison at 1,756 m. From here, we follow the ridge towards the Pointe de Chaurionde, a climb that becomes steeper towards the end. At the summit, at 2,173 metres, the view is magnificent.

You don't have to be a member to take part in one of the many hikes proposed by this cheerful team, whose program can be found online or in the local press. Membership is compulsory after the^3rd participation, after having tested the club's good atmosphere... One of the club's stated aims is clear: "To share steps and create social links". The website lists all the outings scheduled for the week and half-year, together with a list of essential equipment.

This dynamic local association organizes hikes and mountain bike rides throughout the year, including the Marche des Sept Roses in summer, and programs events such as the very popular and spectacular Marche nocturne aux flambeaux in early December, as a prelude to Christmas. The Club Vosgien de Saint-Quirin, a District II club of the Fédération du Club Vosgien, is responsible for marking and maintaining 360 km of trails, building shelters for hikers, and promoting and raising awareness of the local natural and historical heritage.

A Chablais Geopark site. It's a beautiful lake in the heart of the mountains, at the foot of the Roc d'Enfer. It was formed by a landslide in 1943, and the ruins of sunken hamlets can still be seen. To take in the view and the emerald colors of the lake, follow the path around the lake. You can also reach the medieval chapel or the Diomaz waterfall (a two-hour walk). A magnificent, peaceful place to enjoy nature with your family. Also popular with fishermen.

Long but easy, this loop crosses the moors of Saint-Cyr, Bellevue, Pouchicaut, Luxurguey or Piquemousque, among the many patches of forest in the vast commune of Allons. You pass the Largenté farm before entering the Landes. From bevelled lanes to grassy paths, from sandy tracks to stone paths, under pines and oaks, over bridges over streams, past a dovecote, the route is particularly bucolic.

Tired of having to battle with your children to get them to go out? The Ferrette Castle and Grotte aux Nains tour is the stuff of legends, and will entice them to take that short walk in the woods. The story goes that it was in the holes in the walls that the Dwarf people lived. They loved to bask there, until the men discovered that they had goat's feet. Vexed by their hilarity, the Dwarves decided never to leave the caves again - but perhaps a child's imagination will be enough to bring them back...

Opposite the San-Giorgio church, you'll find the footpaths for visiting the Alta Rocca, including the one to Serra, which is fairly short and very pretty. About 1.5 km downhill towards Zonza, on the left, a path leads to the refuge d'Asinao, catching up with the famous GR20 trail. The whole of the Alta Rocca massif is criss-crossed by a multitude of well-marked footpaths, ranging from short strolls to long-distance hiking trails. Don't forget to check the weather forecast before you go!

This 17.7 km, 4.5 hr hike, with its 390 m vertical drop, is ideal for sports enthusiasts and offers a variety of landscapes. You'll hike along the hillsides between the Landes forest and the Garonne valley. You'll come across woods with dovecotes, meadows with Blondes d'Aquitaine cattle, cornfields and panoramic views of Casteljaloux and the Pyrenees on a clear day. You'll see ruined churches and two well-preserved ones: one with a wall steeple at Veyries, the other with a pointed steeple at Sainte-Gemme-Martaillac.

To get some height, head for the grottes d'Agneux, above the hamlet of the same name, where you'll need to leave your vehicle. Follow the GR as it climbs. At the milestone indicating the village behind you and Mont-Palais ahead, leave the GR and turn right. You'll come to the caves, which are closed but offer a superb panorama. Turn back or continue uphill, then turn left to return. Steep but shady path, 45 min round trip.

Located between the cities of Leffrinckoucke and Zuydcoote, the Dewulf Dune covers about 300 hectares and is part of the dunes protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral since 1987. A mixture of wooded dunes, wetlands and dry dunes, it is home to nearly 70 species of nesting birds, several species of amphibians and 350 species of trees and plants. You will probably come across sheep and goats, which maintain the dune in an ecological way.

This association, which produced a topo-guide to short hikes, offers guided hikes and themed outings (botany, birds, farm produce, etc.) around Grandrieu and in the Margeride region: twenty-five signposted loop trails starting from Grandrieu, ranging from 4 km to 27.2 km, a 75 km cantonal tour that can be completed in three days... The association has worked on the creation of a circuit called "la via Agrippa". The calendar of guided hikes and the trail map are available on the website.

This short, easy hike (with a cumulative elevation gain of 200 meters) covers around ten kilometers and offers pleasant climbs and wide panoramic views over the wooded expanses of the Gascony hillsides. On this itinerary, which alternates between grassy and sandy tracks, gravel paths and asphalt driveways, you'll come across a pretty old farmhouse, take a ridge section, pass a charming stream, come across the Château de Malvirade, enjoy a view of the village of Bouglon in the distance... A varied and attractive hike. Allow 3 hours' walk, 1 hour 30 minutes on horseback, 1 hour 10 minutes on mountain bike.

Looking for a breath of fresh air and a magnificent landscape? Take the Sentier des Peintres for 1 hour and 4 kilometers of bliss. Most hikers start this adventure from the Hôtel Lépinat. Along the way, they can admire landscapes that inspired hundreds of Impressionists. From the ruins of the ancient fortress of Crozant, to the confluence of the Creuse and Sédelle rivers, via the Sédelle valley, the moulin de la Folie and the dry moorland, this hike will provide you with a thrilling experience.

Situated on a hill facing the sea, at an altitude of over 377 m, this ghost village offers an exceptional view of the Sant'Ambroggio marina and the Gulf of Calvi. Take a short, unusual stroll to discover Occi, believed to have been founded in the ^14th or 15th^century . Sumptuous landscapes await you, and when you arrive at your destination, you'll have the pleasure of admiring the fully restored church: masses are even celebrated here!

Take the D70 up to the Col de Sevi. About 1.5 km from the top of the pass, there's a footpath to Marignana, part of the Solenzara-Cargèse route, which links up with the Spelunca Gorge trail. With a detailed map, you can also pass through the abandoned village of Tasso on your way to Marignana (where you join the Mare è Monti trail). From the pass, descend to Cristinacce and rejoin the D84. Typical of inland Corsica.

Following the Rizzanese river, take the D69 to the old Spin'a Cavallu bridge. Following the Départementale 65 eastwards, a road takes you to the Foce belvedere and its beautiful viewpoint over the plain. 8 kilometers south of Sartène from Gianuccio, a footpath leads you through the maquis. You then cross a stream, a ridge and the locality of Bocca di Favalettu to arrive at this huge, smooth rock emerging from a mass of granite boulders... Panoramic view of Valinco, Figari Bay to the south and Alta-Rocca. Towards Serraggia, you'll reach the Rocher du Lion (Lion Rock) on the Cap de Roccapina, where you can perhaps (probably!) take a swim. Then take the path to the right of Le Lion, facing the sea, and after a short 3-kilometre walk, you'll arrive at some divine, secluded coves! The Ortolo beach unfurls its miles of desert before you, then you can admire the Murtoli estate with its sheepfolds and luxury homes, as well as the forgotten Senetosa lighthouse. You can also climb up to the Lion Tower at Roccapina, which offers an absolutely magnificent panorama in the midst of unspoilt nature. Finally, in the Propriano area, of course, is the town of Sartène, with its prehistoric site, the menhirs of Filitosa and the oil mills of the upper Ortolo valley, not to be missed.

From Murzo on the Guagno road coming from Vico, turn right towards Rosazia. Continue on to Salice, then, just before the first hamlet, take a path on the left to the Ancone waterfall. You'll come to Azzana, a lovely village in a beautiful natural setting, overlooking the Cruzzini valley and facing the other side. We admire an old ochre church with an old bell tower from another era. On to Rezza and the valley road.

Discover the Langatte circuit, a seven-kilometre nature walk that takes in part of the Stock pond. This pleasant walk between water and forest takes you through a variety of landscapes, notably along the banks of the Sarre canal and through the Stock wood. You'll also come across the fortified house, used during the wars to house soldiers. Allow around 2 hours 15 to complete this circular hike, ideal for nature lovers.

Classified as "difficult", this hike takes 3.5 hours to complete, starting from the parking lot at the Groseau spring. Ten kilometers through valleys, combe Obscure and combe de Comentige, small passes, Austrian black pine forest and small meadows, sometimes going back in time. For example, with the imposing building you'll soon come across: a former plasterworks that operated from the ^18th century until the 1950s. On arrival, you'll pass the old Malaucène paper mill.

As far as religious history is concerned, there's the Piaud chapel, from which you'll return via the Way of the Cross, and on arrival you'll discover the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame du Groseau. At the spring of the same name, classified as a remarkable heritage site, you can refresh and rest, as pilgrims have done since ancient times.

The Combrailles is an area with a unique landscape (meanders, forests...) and built heritage (castles...) that's great to explore on foot. But the problem is always the same: where to go? Where are the hiking trails? The Combrailles tourist office has the answer with its Combrailles, balades et randonnées (Combrailles, walks and hikes) application. Intuitive, it presents 80 walks in text, map and audio format, with points of interest and facilities also identified. All you need to do is put on your walking shoes!

Why this name for a pond that is no longer salty? It is because it was drained in the 19th century. But imagine that it was in the Middle Ages and that it was exploited. Today, it is mainly a reserve for birds. There are no less than 150 different species. It is a small walk to discover the biodiversity of the Vaucluse, particularly rich. The surroundings are therefore arranged so that visitors can enjoy the place while respecting the natural species that inhabit it. Visits are organized by the tourist office.

Mountain guide Brice Sarti invites you to go hiking. We'll meet you at the departure parking lot for a convivial day on sumptuous itineraries. You'll have a picnic at a selected, panoramic site. A special highlight is the friendly sunset hike departing from Appietto village on the Gulf of Ajaccio at 6pm. Features: aperitif dinner based on Corsican products, singer-guitarist, cool walk on a shady hillside, headlamp and walking stick provided. New: half-day hikes for children aged 6 and over.

Even before the start, the walk is remarkable as it starts at the Parc du Grand Clos de Ternay. A superb municipal park of 23 hectares with 6 kilometers of footpaths and a pond. Privileged place to discover nature, and picnic in family, it is also the starting point of many walks. The one that will lead you on 11.5 kilometers (duration about 2h40) will make you go along the Rhone valley by the country path of the Port. A pleasant walk in a rather unknown sector of the Rhône department.

This hike is characterized by an itinerary that offers some very fine views and is divided into two parts. At the start, there's an out-and-back path that takes you through a wood, past a hedge, then a stream and up the hill. You then take a loop to the Esquerdes church, surrounded by vineyards, woods and orchards. You return along a pine forest. This 8.2 km hike (3h walking, 1h mountain biking) is easy, varied and bucolic.

Some roads cross the cape Corsica from east to west and give to see magnificent landscapes. From Luri, go north on the D35 and the Meria valley: you follow the road on the left to go down to Morsiglia, which allows you to reach Pino. From Luri, cross the mountain to the southwest to reach Conchiglio and the Giottani Marine. Then you have to follow the beautiful coastal road northwards, passing Punta Minerbio to reach Pino.

The association organizes a variety of walks: a gentle 9 km hike at a moderate pace on Thursday mornings; a classic 12 km hike at a normal pace; Nordic walking on Tuesday and Saturday mornings; a challenging hike, often in the Fontainebleau forest, two Fridays a month; a fast 12.5 km or 25 km hike at a sustained speed of 6 km/h on Wednesday and Sunday mornings; a day hike of around 20 km on Sundays and the^2nd Tuesday of the month. A Paris course is also organized once a month. Open to new participants. A warm welcome!

If you're a green tourism enthusiast, from Donnemarie-Dontilly you can join the GR11, the famous path linking Montigny-Lencoup to Savins. Crossing the Montois region, it offers superb scenery and panoramic views over Donnemarie-Dontilly. For the casual walker, there are a number of other trails that take you around the village and surrounding villages, including the Chemin des Grottes. A map can be downloaded from the Mairie website. For experienced walkers, you'll need an IGN map (no. 2516E Série bleue) and a compass.

Two hiking loops of about 3 hours and a mountain bike circuit of 27 to 33 km, all three marked. Departures from the Monacalis hall. You will explore the remains of the opulent vineyards of yesteryear, devastated by phylloxera at the end of the 19th century: remaining plots of land, old canteens, where the winegrowers used to eat and store their tools, and a windmill. The itinerary "In the footsteps of the Négrette" leads you to this rare grape variety, to a plantation of truffle oaks and to a superb panorama of the Courance valley, with Niort in the background.

Several circuits to be done on foot, by bike or on horseback of at least 10 km are proposed between the communes of Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud (departures at the place de la Mairie) and Arçais via Damvix (in Vendée). You will discover the wild marsh by exploring its conches and its small heritage, including the charming little port of Montfaucon. Poplar groves and wild plants (meadowsweet, comfrey, valerian, iris), decorate the walks.

Walk through the history of Cerize, which begins in the Neolithic period. You start at the castle of La Roche (3 ears of corn gite), its superb park and its pond. You will then discover the architectural and natural heritage of the surroundings: Saint-Pierre church and its tympanums decorated with ceramics (19th century); Saint-Père washhouse; Puy Genest and the Queen of the Meadows trail, a wetland ecosystem; Le Plessis, an ancient fortified village (9th century), the Celtic educational trail, Les Bourrelières and an observation platform. You will end up at the pretty Vannelière pond (fishing allowed).

You will tour Tourtenay and its surroundings in search of beautiful views of the vineyards. Among the historical sites you will cross: the church of Tourtenay, founded by the evangelizing monk Fort, from Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes; the hamlet of Le Moulin, famous for its resistance acts in 1941 - 16 radio transmitters were parachuted there; the Petit-Puy and the church of Saint-Martin, built on the edge of an old Compostela path at 110 m altitude.

You will explore the different historical districts of Parthenay starting from the castle (13th century), the central monument of the district called the Citadel. You will discover the Chemin du Rosaire, and its pretty eponymous chapel, which links the suburbs of Saint-Paul, the tanners' quarter, on the banks of the Thouet, and Saint-Jacques. The view is amazing! You cross the Prée, admire the remains of the ramparts, including the Trilobate tower, an original specimen both for its considerable dimensions (27x28 m) and its cloverleaf shape. You end up at the Saint-Jacques gate.

You walk around the Soleil-Levant lake and the Touche-Poupard dam along a steep path laid out in a bed of old schist and milky quartz. Fauna and flora are astonishing here: as you reach the vanished village of La Folie, and follow the GR 364, you will observe the great crested grebe, come across luxuriant vegetation in spring, columbines, stellar and wood hyacinths. It will be possible to take a break at the hikers' stop.

The suzerain castle of Cherveux is surrounded by vassal residences of beautiful allure. You will discover them all along this loop: the Seneuil dwelling, the Carte castle, the Roche-Cantin estate, the Valière fortress or the Francs dwelling, built around the 15th century. The route is punctuated by many other curiosities, beyond the romantic panorama, hundred-year-old chestnut trees, the Ramées path (former route of the Compostelle pilgrims), the Plan pump (1880) and the Cherveux sundial (1836). The walk is enchanting!

This trail, which starts at the Guesnes pond, takes you through the Scévolles forest. Discover the Fondoire hunting lodge, evidence of ^19th-century hunting with hounds, or the little Acadian hut. You'll come close to the cavities of the old Chanteloup quarries. Pass the Beaumont estate, La Briande and the washhouse. Follow part of the Ligne Verte, the old railroad line between Loudun and Châtellerault, then return through the forest.

A pleasant walk along the Boutonne valley, where you will discover here and there, alongside the hedges, mills, wash houses, abandoned arms and reaches. You walk in search of various curiosities: the Bassée aux chats, legendary meeting place of these males on Mardi Gras, the roadman's shelter (1840), the path of the Romans, ancient Roman road which linked Saintes to Poitiers. Be careful when crossing the D950. This loop joins the GR 655 pilgrimage route.

You can stroll along the 4 wash houses of Saint-Georges-de-Rex, starting with the one of the Panification (behind the church of Saint-Georges, in the eponymous street), with its polygonal open-air basin. Its washerwomen's sidewalk is topped by a traditional market garden roof (poplar rafters, reed roof and canal tiles). The Reverend, Grande-Fontaine and Richebert laundries follow. Rectangular in shape and fed by a stream, it is accompanied by a small hold, built to allow cattle to drink.

This 1.5 km hiking trail leads through the heart of nature to the sacred mound dedicated to Jupiter. Celts, Romans, a basilisk - this mysterious site is full of legends. Discovery panels mark out this walk. This bucolic stroll reveals the richness of the local flora and fauna. Along the way, take note of the fountain and its wash-house, the stream, the old truffle-farm, the enigmatic sandstones, the panoramic terraces...