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Family-Friendly Hikes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

1,459 routes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 1.8 km and 42 m (138 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 72 percent of the 2,014 routes we map in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. They are shorter than the local average, 1.8 km against 5.4 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 42 m (138 ft) against 175 m (574 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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Easy

Tour du Grand Capelet - Etape 3

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

Distance
6.5 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
142 m
Typical duration
1 hr 34 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Sentier de Royan à Grasse

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
99 m
Typical duration
1 hr 5 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Variante Gréolières

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
60 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Via Domitia (variante)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

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

Col des Tourettes - ?

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

Distance
4.6 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
102 m
Typical duration
1 hr 7 min
Easy

Bois de Roue - Lac de Roue

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.2 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
6 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Forest
Easy

Lac Miroir - Les Preynasses

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.2 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
6 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Forest
Easy

Cascade de Chaumie

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
209 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Waterfall
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Cascade de la Lance

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Waterfall
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Château Lombard - Les Faix

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
15 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Easy

Château-Queyras - Les Arbourets

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
29 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Easy

De Auriol à La Destrousse

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
113 m
Typical duration
1 hr 15 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

De Gréasque au poteau ET-31

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

De La Destrousse à Peypin

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

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

De Mimet au poteau ET 39

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
42 m
Typical duration
28 min
  • Coastal
  • 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
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
Col d'Arsine - Lac de la DoucheParc national des Écrins (cœur)3.8 km84 m55 minEasyApril to October
Col des Grangettes - Lac de l'EychaudaParc national des Écrins (cœur)0.8 km19 m12 minEasyApril to October
Les Auberts - Pré de la ChaumetteParc national des Écrins (cœur)4.5 km98 m1 hr 4 minEasyApril to October
Les Fermonds - ?Parc national des Écrins (cœur)3.0 km65 m43 minEasyApril to October
Coullon du Château - Sommet de ChatégréProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur0.5 km10 m7 minEasyApril to October
Le lac des Estaris depuis le sommet du DrouvetProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur3.5 km110 m54 minEasyApril to October
Col de Côte-Longue - Cabane des ParisiensParc national des Écrins (cœur)0.5 km10 m7 minEasyApril to October
Col de Côte-Longue - Col de la PisseParc national des Écrins (cœur)2.0 km44 m29 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Via Alpina Red R145, GR 52 variante Gias Cabret, Col des Grangettes - Lac de l'Eychauda. 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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