Hiking in the Alps: Routes & Tips
Hiking in the Alps: Routes & Tips
January 22, 2026 (14-minute read)
The French Alps offer more than 10,000 km of marked trails across six départements, from Mont-Blanc to the Alpes-Maritimes. Between its three national parks (Vanoise, Écrins, Mercantour) and eight regional nature parks, the mountain range concentrates a uniquely diverse landscape: high-altitude glaciers, crystalline lakes, preserved alpine meadows and hidden valleys.
Each sub-range has its own personality: the Northern Alps reign with their 4,000 m giants, the Hautes-Alpes captivate with raw authenticity, while the Southern Alps enjoy 300 days of sunshine per year. Whether you’re looking for a 2-hour family walk or a 10-day long-distance trek, this guide covers unmissable routes and practical advice for safe Alpine hiking.
Table of contents
Which hike to choose in the Alps?
Your level determines everything. Beginner? Choose accessible high-altitude lakes like Lac Blanc from Chamonix or the gentle trails of the Bauges Massif. Already experienced? Head for legendary routes like the Queyras Loop, the GR54 in the Écrins, or the Tour du Mont-Blanc stages.
The season also guides your choice. In summer, summits above 2,500 m open with sweeping green-valley panoramas. Autumn lights up the golden larch forests of Queyras. Each region has its specialties — high mountains and glaciers in Haute-Savoie, iconic villages and majestic scenery in the Hautes-Alpes.
Half-day walk or multi-day trek? Refuges line every major route. Good fitness is enough for most beginner trails, but certain paths require true alpine experience.
Northern Alps — absolute must-dos
Lac Blanc & the Mont-Blanc Massif
Perched at 2,352 m in the Aiguilles Rouges, Lac Blanc offers one of the most iconic views of Mont-Blanc’s north face. Several trail options exist: family-friendly access via the La Flégère cable car in Chamonix, or a direct ascent from Col des Montets for seasoned hikers.
Allow 2 hours from the Flégère lift, with 500 m vertical gain. The trail crosses the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, home to ibex and marmots. Below, the Chéserys lakes reflect surrounding glaciers in turquoise water.
Vanoise Glacier Circuit
A legendary 4- to 7-day loop in France’s first national park, skirting the biggest ice cap in Western Europe — the Dômes de la Vanoise. The trek alternates secret valleys and high passes facing La Grande Casse (3,855 m).
Two options: a shorter loop via the Col d’Aussois or the full 7-stage refuge-to-refuge circuit. Jagged peaks like the Aiguilles de Péclet tower above lunar scenery filled with ibex and bearded vultures.
Starting points: Pralognan-la-Vanoise or Modane. Expect daily elevation gains of 800–1,200 m — solid fitness required.
Beaufortain & its untouched pastures
Far from the crowds, Beaufortain remains a preserved land of century-old chalets and ringing cowbells — birthplace of the iconic AOP Beaufort cheese.
From the villages of Arêches and Beaufort-sur-Doron, you’ll find everything from 6-day massif loops to family walks around Roselend Lake. Scenic Mont-Blanc views accompany most routes.
Marmots and ibex roam freely through this living pastoral landscape — a rare chance to experience authentic Alpine tradition.
Image by Rémih
Southern Alps highlights
Queyras & the Clarée Valley
Between the Écrins and the Italian border, these twin valleys embody the soul of the Southern Alps. Queyras’ perched villages above 2,000 m are linked by the famed GR58 through larch forests and high lakes.
The Clarée is wilder, crowned by Mont Thabor (3,178 m) and blooming alpine meadows. Wildlife thrives — marmots, ibex and exceptional rare plants.
With 300 days of sunshine, hiking conditions are optimal from April to October — and the area remains blissfully uncrowded.
Écrins National Park & its summits
More than 150 peaks exceed 3,000 m — capped by the 4,102 m Barre des Écrins. The GR54 traces a legendary 176 km loop through dramatic valleys (Vallouise, Valgaudemar, Vénéon).
La Meije (3,983 m) towers above La Grave — a mountaineering icon still reachable to hikers via the Glacier d’Arsine lakes. Classic refuges: Glacier Blanc, Sélé, Vallonpierre.
The Ailefroide–Pelvoux sector is the launchpad for 4,000 m ascents. Lac du Lauvitel is a gem just 1 h 30 from La Danchère.
Mercantour & the Valley of Marvels
Home to Europe’s largest set of Bronze Age rock engravings — 40,000 carvings at 2,000–2,700 m turn this valley into an open-air museum.
Follow the GR52 from Lake Mesches to the Merveilles refuge (3 h ascent). The sacred Mont Bégo looms above, where authorized guides interpret thousand-year-old symbols.
Strict regulations — stay on trail, rubber tips mandatory on poles. The Valmasque descent opens dazzling views over the colorful lakes that gave this Alpine-Mediterranean valley its name.
Maritime Alps & Alpine Provence
Trois Becs & Grand Veymont
Three peaks — Veyou, Signal, Roche Courbe — form this emblem of the Drôme region, in the hanging syncline of the Saoû forest. At just 1,589 m, the panoramic views span the Vercors, Dévoluy, and, on clear days, even the Écrins and Mont-Blanc.
From the Col de la Chaudière car park, the marked trail climbs to Pas de Siara, then ascends steadily to Veyou. A demanding 6-hour loop with spectacular ridge sections — thrilling but safe.
Verdon Gorges & the Blanc-Martel Trail
Inside Europe’s largest canyon, the 15 km Blanc-Martel trail follows the Verdon River from Chalet de la Maline to Point Sublime. Created in 1928 by the Touring Club de France, it traces the path of the first explorers of 1905.
Expect metal ladders, chains, and the dramatic 252 steps of the Brèche Imbert — not for the vertigo-prone.
Dedicated shuttles operate April–November from La Palud-sur-Verdon. Two tunnels bored through the rock add a surreal dimension to this turquoise-water immersion.
Image by wirestock on Freepik.
Hikes by difficulty level
Family-friendly routes & hiking with dogs
Your loyal companion deserves to explore the Alps too. The Belledonne Massif is particularly dog-friendly: no restrictions for leashed dogs on forest or alpine trails.
The Ubaye Valley offers quieter trails, away from grazing areas. The Oronaye Lakes make a perfect 3-hour family outing, with water points to refresh your pet.
Always check local regulations: National Parks strictly prohibit dogs, even if carried. Regional Nature Parks, like Queyras, allow exploration on a leash. Bring a dedicated water bottle and poop bags. Dog-friendly refuges are increasingly available in the Vercors and southern valleys, easing multi-day itineraries with your whole family.
2–3 day treks with overnight in refuges
The Valgaudemar condenses the Écrins experience into three days between Refuge des Souffles and Refuge de l’Olan.
Tour des Fiz from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval: 600 m daily elevation to reach Refuge de Sales in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges. Chéserys Lakes dazzle at sunrise, facing Mont-Blanc’s giants.
Reservations are mandatory from April for staffed refuges. Expect €45–65 per night for half-board depending on altitude and season. These mini-treks are perfect introductions to the great Alpine loops.
Multi-day trekking (5 days or more)
Crossing the 5-day threshold transforms your mountain experience. Your body adapts to the rhythm, your senses sharpen, and your perception of Alpine landscapes intensifies.
The GR5 between Megève and Nice is the ultimate classic: 650 km of pure Alpine magic through six iconic massifs. Break the route into manageable sections.
Écrins–Queyras in 8 days showcases the authentic Southern Alps, far from crowded trails.
For a wilder alternative, the Grand Tour of the Écrins in 10–12 days immerses you in one of the most pristine crystalline massifs. Public transport easily reaches starting points from Aix-les-Bains.
By day three, your pack feels lighter — a mental relief revealing the essence of Alpine trekking: deep reconnection with nature, marked by morning cowbells and sunsets over glaciers.
Seasons & conditions in the Alps
Summer hiking: 3,000 m peaks
Surpassing 3,000 m transforms your Alpine experience. In the Écrins and Queyras, twenty peaks are accessible without mountaineering equipment.
Mont Thabor (3,178 m) from Valfréjus is ideal for beginners: 1,290 m elevation on marked trails with panoramic views over Italy and Mont-Blanc glaciers. Further south, Mont Pelat (3,051 m) overlooks Lake Allos and is the most approachable giant in Mercantour.
Optimal period: July–September, after snowfields melt. Ascents require early starts and warm clothing, even in heatwaves. Thin air and rapid temperature shifts demand serious fitness to enjoy these exceptional moments.
Winter snowshoeing in high valleys
Exceptional snow coverage from December to April opens a unique playground for snowshoers. Clarée Valley and Valgaudemar host the most scenic marked trails in the Southern Alps.
Snowshoes from 1,400 m allow access to winter refuges in Queyras and Écrins. Col de l’Échelle from Névache takes 3 hours to panoramic summit views.
Essential gear: avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel beyond secure trails. Local guides know snow conditions and avalanche zones, ensuring safety in these wild landscapes.
Image by vwalakte on Freepik
Essential hiking gear
Responsible technical clothing
Layering for the Alps is no longer just about performance. Recycled fibers now turn plastic bottles and textile waste into high-tech waterproof jackets.
69% of our polyester comes from recycled bottles, reducing CO₂ emissions by 40% versus conventional fibers. Our Teflon EcoElite™ 100% PFC-free treatment protects against Alpine moisture without harming the environment.
Organic cotton and FSC-certified Tencel fibers make up our base layers. These natural materials regulate body temperature on climbs to Lake Annecy or Mercantour peaks while preserving the ecosystems we explore.
Seasonal equipment
Altitude dramatically changes gear needs. At 2,000 m, temperatures drop by 12°C compared to the valley, even in summer.
Summer (June–September): lightweight down jacket essential above 1,800 m, plus gloves and hat for early mornings or windy passes. Minimum 2-liter water bottle.
Winter & shoulder seasons: multiple mid-layers, thermal underwear, technical fleece, and waterproof over-pants are mandatory. Headlamp with spare batteries needed for short days.
All seasons: telescopic trekking poles, category 4 sunglasses, and SPF 50+ sunscreen protect against intense Alpine glare.
Preparing your Alpine hike
Mountain safety & weather
Alpine weather can change in 30 minutes, turning a sunny walk into a deadly trap. Check Météo France Montagne until the last moment and prepare for the worst.
Start before 7 a.m. to avoid afternoon storms. Inform someone of your route, departure, and return times. In thick fog or strong winds, know when to turn back: descending alive is better than summiting.
Always allow a safety margin. Weather forecasts are approximate above 2,000 m. Smartphones have poor signal — carry a whistle and memorize 112, the European emergency number.
Autonomy is more important than speed. Anticipate sudden changes and trust instincts as much as weather reports.
Refuge & accommodation reservations
Booking accommodations is key to a successful Alpine stay. Refuges fill up by May for summer, especially along the GR5 or Tour du Mont-Blanc.
Contact refuge keepers directly rather than general platforms. Most still operate via phone — keep multiple numbers for each stage. Last-minute cancellations often free up spots.
Plan at least three months ahead for Écrins and Vanoise refuges in July–August. Alternative options (gîtes, unstaffed huts) complement your plan in remote Queyras or Mercantour valleys.
Check opening conditions: many refuges close from mid-September to mid-June depending on snow and trail access.
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