This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
For tourists going on tours to France and are on the lookout for an exciting outdoor activity to do, hiking the French Alps should definitely be at the top of your bucket list. Doing so will take you to an adventure of a lifetime past the tranquil lakes of Annecy, lush forests of The Vercors, limestone waterfalls in Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, valleys carpeted with wildflowers, and of course, the breathtaking views atop the peaks of the mountains. The thrill-seeking adventurer in you would surely appreciate France’s scenic trails along with its biodiverse wildlife and landscape.
As they say, there is no better way to discover the dramatic views of the French Alps than on foot. So, pack your bags, and get to know the best hiking trails you can explore in the French Alps.
Table of Contents
Tour du Mont Blanc
Distance: 165 km (103 miles)
Duration: 8 to 11 days
Elevation gain: 10,251 m (33,632 ft)
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Start and Finish Point: Chamonix, circular
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most sought-after long-distance trekking routes not only in the French Alps, but on the whole European continent. The hike starts and ends in the famous mountain town of Chamonix, which will then circle the Mont Blanc massif, passing through Switzerland, Italy, and France en route.
Mont Blanc is arguably the most famous mountain in Europe. Hailed as the highest mountain in the Alps, it rises all the way up to 4,810m (15,780 ft). Taking on the Tour Du Mont Blanc will allow you to see this regal giant of a mountain from all sides, which is rightfully described by most hikers as a life changing experience.
The hike trail spans 165 km (103 miles) and takes 8 to 11 days to complete, so you will walk roughly 15 to 20 kilometers a day with around 1km of ascents and descents. The route involves approximately 10,000 metres (32,800 ft) of cumulative elevation gain over multiple mountain passes, rather than reaching such an altitude above sea level. This makes the trek physically demanding, requiring good stamina and preparation. For route details and seasonal conditions, consult the official Tour du Mont Blanc planning website.
The difficulty of the terrain varies throughout the route. There are more gentle areas as well as tougher trails that will put you through your paces! But the adventure is truly worth it as you will get the chance to marvel at far-reaching valley views, suspension bridges, and vantage points over Dent du Géants, the Grandes Jorasses, and of course, of the breathtaking view of Mont Blanc. This route is most commonly walked counterclockwise, although it can also be completed in the opposite direction, with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif throughout the journey.
Petit Mont Blanc, Courchevel
Distance: 20.8 km (12.92 miles)
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Elevation gain: 1,028 m (3,372 ft)
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Start and Finish Point: Le Belvedere, Courchevel
If you do not have much time to trek for several days but would still like to admire the beauty of Mont Blanc, take the Petit Mont Blanc route in Courchevel instead. This 20.8-kilometer (12.92 miles) round trip route starts at Le Belvedere, located near Courchevel Moriond, which takes about 7 to 8 hours to complete. With an elevation gain of 1,028 m (3,372 ft), the terrain is steep, and this route is generally considered difficult.
Thus, it is generally recommended for experienced hikers, but amateur hikers are also welcome to try. But if you take on the challenge of traversing this long, winding route, you will be rewarded with 360° panoramic views from the Vanoise glaciers to Mont Blanc. The awe-inspiring scenery is the perfect entertainment along the way! It would be impossible not to stop and admire the views of the mountain range in front of you.
This route will take you through the Vallee des Avals. It also passes through the Vanoise National Park, which is home to rare wildlife and undisturbed nature.
Cirque Du Fer-À-Cheval
Distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
Duration: 4 hours
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Start and Finish Point: Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
For those who are intimidated by the challenging trails of Tour du Mont Blanc and Petit Mont Blanc and would like to take on a just moderately difficult hike in the French Alps, the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval trail is for you. This stunning horse-shaped valley is located in the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval on the French-Swiss border, which is about 30km from Chamonix.
This trail will give you the most spectacular view of waterfalls, running down the limestone cliffs and thundering into the valley below. Cirque Du Fer-À-Cheval is a 10-kilometer hiking trail that is short and moderately challenging. It loops through the valley and takes around 4 hours to complete.
The Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval offers several hiking routes of different difficulty levels rather than a single climb to a summit. One of the more challenging options is the approximately 10 km circuit via the Chalets du Boret and the Bout du Monde, which includes the exposed Pas du Boret section. This passage is unsuitable for hikers who suffer from vertigo and should be avoided in bad weather. An easier alternative follows the valley towards the Bout du Monde, offering spectacular views of the waterfalls without the exposed mountain section. Check the official Haut-Giffre hiking information before choosing your route.
Lac Blanc
Distance: Approximately 11 km (6.8 miles) for the longer circuit from Tré-le-Champ
Duration: Around 5 hours
Elevation gain: Approximately 1,050 m (3,445 ft)
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Start and Finish Point: Tré-le-Champ, near Argentière (for the longer circuit)
Lac Blanc is one of the most popular short trails among hikers of the French Alps. It spans the distance of 6.1 km (3.8 miles) and takes just 2 to 4 hours to complete. This is why it is a popular excellent choice for vacationers who would like to experience hike but does not have a lot of time to spare.
The difficulty of hiking to Lac Blanc depends strongly on your starting point. The route from Tré-le-Champ involves a substantial ascent and exposed sections with metal ladders, requiring good fitness and confidence on steep mountain terrain. Alternatively, hikers can take the Flégère cable car and follow a shorter mountain trail to the lake, avoiding much of the ascent from the valley. Even this alternative requires appropriate footwear and attention to weather and trail conditions. See the official Chamonix guide to Lac Blanc.
The Lac Blanc trail would take you through the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, and around a serene mountain lake, which offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Les Drus, and La Verte. You will also get to see the Aiguillette d’Argentière—a magnificent rock formation, the Lacs des Cheserys, and Lac Blanc itself. If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of wildlife such as ibex, chamois, marmots, and golden eagles.
Several approaches lead to Lac Blanc, including the more demanding route from Tré-le-Champ and the shorter route from the upper Flégère cable car station. These have different distances, elevation gains, and difficulty levels, so check the relevant route description before setting out. It can also be accessed by public transport. There is a TER bus that runs from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Montroc le Planet, which is a 15-minute walk from the start of the trail.
French Alps: A Hiker’s Dream
Hiking through the French Alps is quite a surreal experience that you would not want to miss. From its lush forest, sea of clouds, mesmerizing lakes and waterfalls, there is surely no shortage of awe-inspiring and breathtaking sights that will fascinate you on the way to see Mont Blanc.
Like it? Pin it here⇓! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
You may also like
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
Krasen and Ying Ying
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually. So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration. And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality. Enjoy!
