Walking in France

Discover local culture, enjoy regional food and wine, and explore the varied landscapes of the French Alps.

In summer, the French Alps are an excellent choice for walking holidays, offering open mountain scenery, well-marked trails and a relaxed pace away from the winter crowds. It’s a place where gentle valley walks sit alongside higher alpine routes, all with impressive views.

There are few places where you can relax in a sunny alpine meadow, surrounded by lakes, forests and peaks rising high above you. With plenty of opportunities for walking, swimming and cycling, the French Alps are ideal for combining time outdoors with moments to slow down and recharge.

Walking in Morzine: Rivers, lakes & waterfalls

Morzine offers hundreds of kilometres of marked footpaths, perfect for all types of walkers.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Dranse River on the Fox Trail, a 11km route with stunning views and informative signs about the local wildlife and rocks.

For a more challenging hike, head to Point de Nyon, where you'll pass the Nyon Waterfall and climb steeply through the forest to the Plateau de Nyon, a grassy meadow offering spectacular views of Morzine and the Alps.

Walking in Lake Annecy: Alpine meadows & lakeside views

Lake Annecy is surrounded by alpine meadows, woodland and mountain views. An easy path runs around the lake, making it ideal for relaxed walks with plenty of chances to stop and enjoy the scenery and lakeside towns.

If you enjoy history, the Talloires walk takes you through the village, with signposted routes leading past historic buildings and landmarks dating back to the 9th century.

For a quieter option, the Bout du Lac Nature Reserve offers a flat, peaceful walk through wetlands and lakeside paths. The route ends near a small beach, a good spot for watching paragliders overhead or trying activities like pedalos and paddleboarding.

Walking in Chamonix: Peak pursuits

Chamonix is a great base for a walking holiday, with a wide choice of routes for all abilities. From easy village walks to higher mountain trails, well-marked paths make it easy to explore the surrounding area.

For a gentle option, the 2km loop around Lac des Gaillands is ideal for a relaxed, family friendly walk and takes around 30 minutes. More confident walkers can try the 6.1km route from Les Praz to Lac Blanc.

Part of the Tour de Mont Blanc, this moderate walk takes around three hours and offers wide views across the Chamonix valley, including the Aiguilles, Les Drus and Aiguille Verte. You can also reach Lac Blanc by cable car and stop at a mountain refuge along the way.

Walking in La Clusaz: Peak Adventure

La Clusaz, 1,000 meteres up in the Col des Aravis, is perfect for outdoor lovers. Whether you're into easy walks, cycling, or even summer tobogganing, there's something for everyone.

Trails vary from village-side strolls to more challenging hikes, with the Beauregard Plateau offering incredible Mont Blanc views via cable car.

For a short walk, try the 1.5 hour La Croix de Fer walk, where you might catch sight of Mont Blanc.

Looking for a bigger challenge? The 4.5 hour walk to Lac de Tardevant delivers stunning alpine vistas.

Walking in Samoëns: A Little Slice of Haute-Savoie Heaven

Samoëns is surrounded by seven mountain peaks and combines classic alpine scenery with traditional village charm. It’s a strong choice for walking holidays, with routes ranging from gentle valley walks to longer mountain trails.

An easy favourite is the 7.2km loop through Chantemerle and Les Suets, which passes historic villages and open countryside. For bigger views, take the cable car up to Tête du Pré des Saix, where a choice of high-level walks offers wide panoramas across the surrounding peaks.