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Easy Hiking Trails in France

We track 4,734 routes that match this search in France. They average 2.9 km and 75 m (246 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 7.7 km.

That is 41 percent of the 11,497 routes we map in France. They are shorter than the local average, 2.9 km against 13.2 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 75 m (246 ft) against 319 m (1,047 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Easy routes keep both distance and climbing modest, so they work for a first day in a new area, for family groups, or for a half day when the weather is uncertain. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Via Alpina Red R145

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
127 m
Typical duration
1 hr 23 min
Easy

GR 52 variante Gias Cabret

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Long-distance path
Easy

CSG 09A : Déviation

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
70 m
Typical duration
46 min
Easy

HRP Variante 14.1

Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
13 min
Easy

HRP Variante 17.2

Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
5.1 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
112 m
Typical duration
1 hr 13 min
Easy

HRP Variante 17.3

Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
81 m
Typical duration
53 min
Easy

Cascade de la Ravine Paradis

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Waterfall
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Col d'Arsine - Lac de la Douche

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
3.8 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
84 m
Typical duration
55 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Lac des Pises

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Malpertus

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
136 m
Typical duration
57 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Easy

La forêt du Lingas

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
77 m
Typical duration
50 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Auberts - Pré de la Chaumette

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
98 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Fermonds - ?

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les corniches de l'Hospitalet

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
236 m
Typical duration
1 hr 13 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

GR 5 Variante Modane Gare

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
6.4 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
140 m
Typical duration
1 hr 32 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Chute du Galion

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Deuxième Chute du Carbet

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Chemin de Malevrère

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
1 hr 17 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Col de Gouiran - Col de la Valette

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
38 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Col des Grangettes - ?

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Col des Terres Blanches - ?

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Col des Tourettes - ?

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Le Lauzet - Naillaud

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
4.8 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
106 m
Typical duration
1 hr 10 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Le Menhir de Trépaloup

Parc national des Cévennes (cœur) · Occitania

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
109 m
Typical duration
39 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Scout Trail

Parc national de La Réunion (cœur) · Réunion

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
80 m
Typical duration
1 hr 23 min
Easy

Boucle du Lac Blanc

Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Distance
6.2 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
137 m
Typical duration
1 hr 30 min
  • Lake
Easy

Le Lac du Génépy

Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Lake
Easy

SPHC, variante étape 04

Occitania · France

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
40 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

GR 5 Variante La Plantaz

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Accès GR 59

Bourgogne – Franche-Comté · France

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
100 m
Typical duration
1 hr 6 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Accès GR22

Ile-de-France · France

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
42 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Chemin de Brameloup à Aubrac

Occitania · France

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
67 m
Typical duration
44 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Easy

GR 105

Occitania · France

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Du Col du Bez à Barre-des-Cévennes (03)Parc national des Cévennes (cœur)6.2 km136 m1 hr 29 minEasyApril to October
Via Alpina Red R145Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)5.8 km127 m1 hr 23 minEasyApril to October
GR 52 variante Gias CabretParc national du Mercantour (cœur)0.8 km18 m12 minEasyApril to October
CSG 09A : DéviationParc national des Cévennes (cœur)3.2 km70 m46 minEasyApril to October
HRP Variante 14.1Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur)0.9 km19 m13 minEasyApril to October
HRP Variante 17.2Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur)5.1 km112 m1 hr 13 minEasyApril to October
HRP Variante 17.3Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur)3.7 km81 m53 minEasyApril to October
GR 5 Alpes Côte d'Azur Variant Canal des ChapellesAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes2.3 km50 m33 minEasyApril to October
Liaison 2e chute / 3e chute du CarbetGuadeloupe National Park2.0 km44 m29 minEasyApril to October
Cascade de la Ravine ParadisGuadeloupe National Park2.4 km52 m34 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Du Col du Bez à Barre-des-Cévennes (03), Via Alpina Red R145, GR 52 variante Gias Cabret. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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