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Family-Friendly Hikes in France

We track 6,784 routes that match this search in France. They average 2.9 km and 73 m (240 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 7.0 km.

That is 44 percent of the 15,466 routes we map in France. They are shorter than the local average, 2.9 km against 11.7 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 73 m (240 ft) against 286 m (938 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. 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

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
  • Lake
  • Canyon and gorge
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

Deuxième Chute du Carbet

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

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

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

Première Chute du Carbet

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
55 m
Typical duration
36 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Sentier Cascade Blanche

Parc national de La Réunion (cœur) · Réunion

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
23 m
Typical duration
15 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

La Source de l'Aube

Parc national de forêts (cœur) · Grand Est

Distance
3.8 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
84 m
Typical duration
55 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

Nez Cassé via Beau-Soleil

Guadeloupe National Park · Guadeloupe

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

Pas de l'Âne - ?

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

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
12 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Petit Prince

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

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

Saut du Laïre - ?

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

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

Sentier du Tour du Val d'Aspe PNP

Parc national des Pyrénées (cœur) · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Tour du Grand Capelet - Etape 1

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

Distance
5.0 km
/ 3.1 mi
Elevation gain
110 m
Typical duration
1 hr 13 min
  • Waymarked route

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
Cascade de la Ravine ParadisGuadeloupe National Park2.4 km52 m34 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
Deuxième Chute du CarbetGuadeloupe National Park0.8 km17 m11 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, Cascade de la Ravine Paradis. 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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