Hikes in France
Where to Hike in France
Activities in France
Ah, France! This beautiful European country is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Visitors quickly fall in love with French gastronomy, culture, history, and of course, its marvelous landscapes. France is a remarkably diverse country, offering towering mountains, lush river valleys and gorges, and bucolic rolling hills covered in vineyards. Once you’ve had a taste of all that France has to offer, you won’t want to leave.
France is paradise for adventure travelers, with plenty of exciting opportunities to get out into the countryside and experience the best of its diverse landscape. The French Alps provide some of the highest mountains in Europe and offer countless possibilities for hiking and backpacking in the Vanoise and Mercantour National Parks, or skiing and climbing in Chamonix. But the Alps aren’t the only mountains in France. The French Pyrenees is fast becoming an adventure travel destination, with some beautiful hiking and backpacking trails and a burgeoning ski industry.
Away from the mountains, the French countryside is a delightful place to walk and cycle. You’ll be surrounded by dense forests, green, rolling hills, and sculptured vineyards, and these stunning landscapes are punctuated with romantic castles and picture-perfect villages. Life here moves at a slower pace – simply relax, soak up the atmosphere, and embrace that French joie de vivre!
To help you plan your next adventure holiday in France, we’ve put together activity guides and suggestions for all of our favorite regions. Happy traveling!
15 Greatest Hikes in France
Immerse yourself into French hiking culture, whether you’d prefer to traverse through vineyards, mountains, verdant hills or charming countryside villages. France offers the perfect blend between a refined vacation and a burgeoning adventure scene--so you can truly have it all. We recommend you take your time and truly soak up all that this spectacular country has to offer, while hiking through some of the most notable mountains in Europe.
- Col de Balme: This classic hike starts with a lift to the tip top of the Swiss border, wandering along an easy and gradual path, blooming with wildflowers for much of the summer months.
- Grand Balcon Sud: Prepare for a hiking highlight at the stunning Grand Balcon Sud--Europe’s highest mountain. With an ever changing terrain, from woodlands, to meadows, to rockface, this won’t be a hike you’ll forget anytime soon.
- Cagire Loop: Walk along the highest peaks of the Pyrenees on this challenging hike. Push higher and higher to conquer four distinct peaks or shorter the hike to avoid the hardest sections.
- Pic du Canigou: Tackle this difficult hike with extreme elevation gain, taking you to the top of the sacred mountain of Catalonia. Prepare for a full day adventure that is highly rewarding!
- The Col de Fenêtre: Discover the heart of Mercantour National Park. Walk the Fenêtre pass, which connects the Vésubie to the Italian Val Gesso and keep an eye out for roaming wildlife like ibex.
- Le Mont Mounier: Conquer the highest limestone massifs in the region on this hike. Discover a unique landscape, ranging from lunar limestone faces to rocky switchbacks on the Le Mont Mounier climb.
- Col d’Aussois & Pointe de l’Observatoire: Very popular among the locals, this hike weaves through a unique, rocky landscape where you’re guaranteed to spot a mountain goat or two on your way to the best viewpoint over the Alps.
- Glacier du Grand Méan: Experience a giant glacier up close and personal on this beautiful hike, where chunks of ice float by in the lake. Crowned as one of the best hikes in Vanoise National Park, you won’t want to miss this one.
- Le Chapeau via the Sources de L’Arveyron: Set out on this slightly difficult hike, with high elevation but a gradual ascent. It will all be worth it when you make it to the glacial overlook of Les Grands Morasses and Le Dent du Geant. At the top, there’s even a small restaurant for a meal.
- Mont Né: For families with older children, this mountain makes for a great first foray into hiking. While slightly steep, the path is well-graded and easy to follow for a fun full-day adventure.
- Lac de Gaube: Set out on a family adventure to Lac de Gaube, taking in the pretty, surrounding waterfalls. Touted as the prettiest lake in the French Pyrenees, this sight is set to dazzle.
- La Jonction: Tackle an incredible feat by hiking this once of a kind mountain in Chamonix. Follow the zig-zag path alongside river glaciers to reach the summit to observe a glacial-amphitheatre.
- Fontanalba: Tucked away in Mercantour National Park, hikers who set out on the Fontanalba trail will be rewarded with “the valley on wonders,” an open-air archaeological site open to the public.
- Vallon du Prariond: This hike is relatively short, but jam packed with incredible views. Pass by the rocks of the Gorge of Malpasset, walk through the verdant Vallon du Prariond, then grab a beer at the Refuge du Prariond.
- Sommets des Garrets: Considered the most beautiful hike within Mercantour National Park, this panoramic walk offers incredible views over Lac d’Allos.
When is the Best Time to Hike in France
France is an incredible country for adventurous hikers, but it can also be dangerous at times too. The best time of year for hiking in France is between June and September, as any earlier will leave you in avalanche season among the French Alps. Mountain huts and restaurants will also be open during this period if you’re looking for a longer trek. Overall, September is our favourite month as the crowds begin to disappear and the weather is beautiful.
Best Regions to Hike in France
Those looking for the best regions to hike will be spoilt for choice in France. With multiple stunning trains across the country, we can barely narrow it down! Chamonix and the Chamonix Valley is the original outdoor playground from the French and home of the first winter Olympics in 1924. But perhaps the most famed region is The French Pyrenees, with the tallest peaks for hiking in France, as well as the option to cross over into Spain. Home to more of the Alps and slightly quieter trails, Mercantour National Park, is a less frequented--but beautiful--destination offering fascinating paintings and petroglyphs. While Vanoise National Park is known not only for its outstanding hiking trails, but also great paths for skiing or biking.
Other Activities in France
While most people associate France with the glitz and the glam, it’s an all-round outdoor playground for those seeking adventure. From those looking to live the après ski life, to extreme mountain biking, to climbing some notable faces of the Alps, to cycling along the charming vineyards-- France offers a little bit of everything, regardless of skill level or budget.
France's Adventure Tours
If you’d rather skip the headache of planning your own trip, why not let 10Adventures help? With our wide-range of tours in France, all you have to do is pack your bag—the rest is taken care of! From learning the history of winemaking to completing the epic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in its entirety, our 10Adventure tour options are guaranteed to be epic and worry-free.
How to Plan a Trip to France
Dreaming of planning your dream hiking vacation in the French Alps? We’ve got you covered with our complete guides on planning a trip to France, outlining the best spots across the country for food and a glass of wine, cozy hotels, and fun activities to fill your day. From Vanoise National Park, to Mercantour National Park, to Chamonix , to The French Pyrenees—we took out all the guesswork, leaving more time for daydreaming.
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Route guides for Hiking in France
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Col d’Aussois & Pointe de l’Observatoire Route Guide
The Col D’Aussois hike is a wonderfully long hike, a true classic hike of the Vanoise. This hike takes you through green fields and ends in a very rocky, mineral landscape. You will find yourself hiking through the world of the ibex, with some of the best panoramic views in the Alps.
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Cagire Loop Route Guide
Hiking the Cagire Loop takes you on a beautiful ridge walk with views over the highest peaks of the Pyrenees. This fantastic hike is a bit challenging in places, taking in four peaks, and is best done anticlockwise. You can also shorten the walk to avoid the most challenging part if necessary.
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Fontanalba Route Guide
In the heart of the Mercantour National Park, “the valley of wonders” is an exceptional open archaeological site, where thousands of prehistoric engravings have been recorded. It is long, but it's also an easier hike, where you will walk past some mountain lakes and chamois and ibex goats!
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Grand Balcon Sud Route Guide
We love the Grand Balcon Sud hike. This is a spectacular hike thanks to the presence of Western Europe’s highest mountain: Mont Blanc. Hike along wooded ravines, high meadows, and wide rocky expanses, finishing up directly in front of Mont Blanc.
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Lac du Mont Charvin Route Guide
It would be easy to overlook this hike on face value: the lake is small and green; the starting point is a long drive away; and there are no public toilets in the car park. But don’t be fooled by appearances: this is a solid 2.5-hour walk up steep and picturesque terrain on a rudimentary trail with the ultimate reward — views of Mont Blanc, gleaming white on a sunny summer’s day.
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Grand Balcon Nord Route Guide
The Grand Balcon Nord hike is a classic Chamonix trail. This spectacular and panoramic Alpine hike is a must-do hike when in Chamonix. This variant of the Grand Balcon Nord trail takes in the high point of Forbes Signal for a truly high-mountain feel. Look down at the Mer de Glace glacier and into Italy’s Grands Jorasses while on this wonderful hike.
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Glacier du Grand Méan Route Guide
The Glacier du Grand Méan hike takes you to a glacial lake in a charming part of the Vanoise. This is a beautiful hike that gets you up close to a glacier where you may see chunks floating in the little lake. Located close to the lovely town of Bonneval-sur-Arc, this hike will take you through a variety of landscapes and give you the opportunity to admire the unique little piece of Greenland in Vanoise. It’s one of the best hikes in the Vanoise.
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The Authion Route Guide
This hike is an ideal walk for the history buff in your family. The Authion has been long considered the keystone of the defensive system for the Alpes–Maritimes: from 1388 all the way up to WW2. On your hike you can see an American tank from 1945 on display.
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Cirque de Gavarnie Route Guide
A hike to the Cirque de Gavarnie is the most popular hike in the French Pyrenees. But there’s a reason! You cannot come to the Pyrenees without a walk to the stunning Cirque de Gavarnie! It’s arguably one of the most beautiful sites in France and part of the UNESCO Global Heritage. Plus, we found a "secret" viewpoint.
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Mont Baron Route Guide
Mont Baron offers a sweeping 360° vista, with Lake Annecy to the west and the foot of the Alps to the east. It was once home to the Mont Veyrier cable car (télépherique du Mont Veyrier), which was removed in 2001, leaving a lovely open space for wild camping and admiring the views over a picnic lunch or a drink at sunset. It’s a popular walk for a good reason, with access starting at a number of different points.
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The Col de Fenêtre Route Guide
This hike places you in the core of Mercantour National Park. The Fenêtre pass connects the Vésubie to the Italian Val Gesso. On this walk you’ll likely see ibex goats and some chamois too. We recommend extending this hike with the alternate route back.
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Refuge du Mont Thabor Route Guide
The hike to Refuge du Mont Thabor is a great hike which is not too long, and perfect for a family outing. You will enjoy the view on the lake above the refuge and admire in it, the reflection of the mountain called Cheval blanc.
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Lac d’Oô Route Guide
The Lac d'Oô hike is a stunning hike in the Pyrenees. Imagine a lake surrounded by steep slopes, with a beautiful waterfall opposite of it. This is the Lac d'Oô, the second most visited natural site in the Pyrenees! Experienced hikers can also extend this hike to Lac d’Espiningo or the stunning Lac du Portillon.
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Lac Blanc Route Guide
The Lac Blanc Hike is possibly Chamonix's most famous walk. Every hiker coming to Chamonix should make the hike to Lac Blanc, one of the hiking highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc. A classic, high-mountain panorama reflects onto a lake surrounded with snow for much of the year. Lac Blanc sits next to a welcoming refuge, and while hiking you will likely see Ibex and marmots in the surrounding nature reserve.
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Plateau des Glieres: Three Têtes Hike Route Guide
With jetting mountain peaks covered in a carpet of green and unforgettable valley and lake views, the Plateau des Glières Hike doesn’t disappoint! This hike gives you a chance to marvel at the three têtes: Tête Noire, Tête Rond, and Tête de l’Arpattaz. The area is rich in nature and history. You’ll find a monument to the French Resistance fighters who died in battle here, and in summer, wildflowers, blueberries and gentian herbs are abundant in the rolling fields and between the rocky mounts. This loop hike will have you reminiscing on the outstanding views and enchanting scenery for days!
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La Lac Nègre Route Guide
This hike is a classic. "La Lac Nègre" is yours to discover all 12 hectares of this magnificent lake surrounded by ochre granite cliffs. A well - marked and shaded trail - this walk presents no difficulties.
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Le Lac Blanc de Termignon Route Guide
The hike to Le Lac Blanc de Termignon is a wonderful family hike in the alpine pastures of Vanoise National Park. Do not be fooled by the lack of distance, this short hike offers a beautiful panoramic view on the Dent Parrachée and can be combined with a visit to the Refuge du Lac Blanc.
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Aiguilletteis des Posettes Route Guide
The hike along the Aiguilletteis des Posettes is a wonderful hike in Chamonix. Aiguilletteis des Posettes is a small Chamonix summit with a big view and a lovely, varied terrain for you to hike across: cool larch forests, a beautiful long ridge, and a wide summit point with views straight across to Mont Blanc. You’ll descend across a wide mountainside with the whole Chamonix valley laid out in front of you.
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Lac de Gaube Route Guide
Hiking to the Lac de Gaube is a lovely stroll along well-kept tracks with beautiful waterfalls everywhere. The goal is Lac de Gaube though, one of the most beautiful lakes of the Pyrenees. This is definitely one of the most scenic hikes of the entire region, no wonder it is so popular!
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Lac de Lessy Route Guide
Lac de Lessy is a classic place for wildlife spotting, and it’s well known for the loud calls of stags as dusk approaches. If you take the route from Chinaillon on a clear day, the peak before the lake provides views of Mont Blanc in one direction and Lac Leman in Switzerland in the other.
This hike takes the challenging path up the face of the peak and returns along the longer and gentler route back, but many other trails are available if you’re organised enough to arrange transport from different start- and end-points. It’s also possible to follow the easier main path used for the return if you prefer (or if you suffer from vertigo).
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Lac d’Allos Route Guide
One of the easiest and most beautiful hikes in Mercantour National Park. You’ll get superb views of the Lac d’Allos, the biggest high-mountain-lake in Europe with a size of 60ha. This is a walk you don’t want to miss.
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Lac de Loudenvielle Route Guide
The walk to Lac de Loudenvielle is a lovely hike around a beautiful lake, which can easily be done with a stroller. This is a popular walk in the Pyrenees and you are close to shops throughout, but also incredible scenery! The kids will definitely love the walk around Lac de Loudenvielle.
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Albert Premiere Route Guide
The Albert Premiere hike has steep slopes, a dramatic winding path, and a high alpine ambience which all add up to one amazing hike in the French Alps. Hike this trail all the way to the Refuge Albert 1er, which overlooks the glacier.
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Aiguille Percée Route Guide
Hiking up to the Aiguille Percée in Tignes takes you to one of the best geological curiosities in Vanoise National Park - the eye of the needle. The hike begins in Tignes, but you are quickly above the modern ski village. Although this hike is quite a climb, the final view is stunning, a great day hike.
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Angon Waterfall Route Guide
This hike is packed with interesting stops — a vertiginous waterfall, a picturesque fairy bridge, breathtaking views over Lake Annecy, cultural sights and a possible dip in the lake to cool down at the end. The hike combines several popular tracks into one larger circuit that fits in as many of the local highlights as possible.
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Sommets des Garrets Route Guide
One of the most beautiful hikes in Mercantour National Park. You have a superb view on the Lac d’Allos, very panoramic. You’ll walk on limestone rocks, through larch forests and grassy slopes, and you can find rare plants and birds: jewels for connoisseurs. But, it comes at a price: a lot of gradual altitude gain.
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Lacs et Pic d’Ayous Route Guide
Known locally as Tour des Lacs et Pic d’Ayous hike, this walk will take you through some amazing scenery. Hiking by many lakes, with the recognisable shape of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau (9462ft) dominating the landscape. Adding the Pic d'Ayous to the Tour des Lacs d'Ayous will enable you to enjoy a breathtaking, 360° vista!
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Lac Cornu Route Guide
The Lac Cornu Hike takes you away from Chamonix valley’s villages and lift systems for a higher, wilder, and quieter hike. Climb to a col looking across at the Mer de Glace and the Drus. Slip behind a ridge and down to three mountain lakes overlooking the Rochers des Fiz. Hike back into the Chamonix valley, and finish at Planpraz for a perfect Mont Blanc view.
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Col de la Lose Route Guide
The hike up to the Col de la Lose takes you to the border between the French and Italian Alps. Starting near Val d’Isere, this hike is along a steep path through wonderful scenery. On the way up to the Col de la Lose you will find wonderful views of a waterfall, high alpine scenery, and a glacier.
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Refuge de La Bombardellaz Route Guide
Like many hikes in the French Alps, this trail can be made shorter or longer depending on which path you choose. We pass the Refuge de La Bombardellaz before carrying on to complete a longer circuit in this hike. Follow the gravel access road most of the way to the refuge, making for a leisurely hour-long walk with a steady incline. Parents with off-road pushchairs might find some of the steeper sections difficult, but not impossible to navigate, and they should use the same path to return from the refuge.
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Refuge du Fond des Fours Route Guide
A hike to the Refuge du Fond des Fours is a perfect family hike in Vanoise National Park. Close to Val d’Isere, this is a fun day out. Hike through pastures close to a cute stream as you gently climb to the Refuge du Fond des Fours.
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Le Mont Mounier Route Guide
Being one of the highest limestone massifs in the region, Le Mounier has some of the best scenery in the Southern Alps. Stunning views, a lunar landscape and a beautiful crest to climb, this walk has it all.
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Mont Né Route Guide
The hike to Mont Né is a great first peak for your kids. Hiking on a well-maintained path takes you up the steep slopes of Mont Né to enjoy some mighty views over the rest of the massif. You will love this hike!
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La Jonction Route Guide
La Jonction hike is one of a kind: long, strenuous, but hugely rewarding. Hike up a ridge on a zig-zagging path, showing you the serac-riven glaciers on either side. At the top there is a beautiful glacial-amphitheatre. A great and challenging hike in Chamonix.
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Col de Borneronde Hike Route Guide
If you’re looking to escape the crowds and the harsh summer sun, head to the Bois de la Duche forest near the Col des Annes. This shady forest is dappled with soft sunlight and has a wide range of fauna and views to enjoy along the way. This hike takes you to the Col de Borneronde, where you can choose to add further tracks and circuits in less wooded areas if this circuit is too short.
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Oredon – Aubert – Aumar Route Guide
This hike, starting from the Lac d'Orédon, takes you through the wild, magical landscapes of the Néouvielle. Hike by Les Laquettes, Lac d’Aubert and Lac d’Aumar, a series of beautiful lakes surrounded by dramatic ridges. Yet another beautiful hike in the Pyrenees.
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Lacs de Vens Route Guide
This superb hike of the Vens Lakes and the Collet de Tortisse has interesting, unique geological structures, like a limestone bridge. Vens Lakes are among the most beautiful lakes in this area and when you reach the lakes a nice mountain hut is waiting for you.
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Le Chapeau via the Sources de L’Arveyron Route Guide
Hiking to Le Chapeau via the Sources de l’Arveyron is a beautiful walk that takes you through the larch forests, above the valley, and past a waterfall. You’ll hike to the glacial overlook of Les Grands Morasses and Le Dent du Geant. It’s quite a lot of elevation, but it’s at an easy gradient. As a reward, near the top, there is a lovely refuge serving food and drink.
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Refuge du Mont Pourri Route Guide
A hike to the Refuge du Mont Pourri will take you among bearded vultures, glaciers, waterfalls, marmots, and a lake. Located near La Plagne and Les Arcs ski areas, you will hike around a large cirque with stunning views, showcasing all that Parc Nationale de la Vanoise has to offer.
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Col des Aravis Hike Route Guide
This hike overlooks the Col des Aravis, which marks the border between Savoie and Haute Savoie. The circuit, which is challenging, peels off the wide gravel track to take a steeper dirt path that eventually leads to a narrow ridge. If you have small children, it’s advisable to opt for the easier route, which doesn’t leave the wide gravel track for the entire hike, returning on the same track.
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Lac de Sagnes Route Guide
Hiking to the beautiful Lac de Sagnes in the late afternoon exalts the beauty of this landscape. The Lac des Sagnes has exceptional scenery, where rocks, water and vegetation meet in harmony. It’s a gorgeous, meditative walk.
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Pic du Canigou Route Guide
Hiking the Pic du Canigou is a wonderful trail. It’s a big day with a lot of elevation gain, but this long hike will take you to the top of the sacred mountain of Catalonia - the very prominent Pic du Canigou (9134ft). It is the most easterly high summit of the Pyrenees!
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Col de Balme Route Guide
Hiking to the Col de Balme is a Chamonix Classic. This hike starts at elevation as you let the lifts whisk you up to the Swiss border, at the very top of the valley. Begin by walking along a wide and easy track, then as you hike through high flower meadows, you’ll be accompanied by cows gently clonking their bells. You’ll have iconic views of the entire Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc at all times.
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Lac des Vaches and Col de la Vanoise Route Guide
A hike to the Lac des Vaches and then up to the Col de la Vanoise is a stunning hike with an impressive variety of landscapes. This hike takes you along the Vanoise portion of the historic Salt Road and some of the best high alpine scenery in the French Alps!
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Morette Waterfall Route Guide
Hidden behind the cliff face and woody forest of the entrance of this short hike is a beautiful waterfall as well as a peek into the past. Discover an unfinished World War II bunker after you admire the collection of waterfalls dotting this route!
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