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Europe is one of our favorite places to trek in the world, with a rich variety of hiking options. There are a lifetime of opportunities throughout the continent to experience both cultural significance and natural beauty while on your own two feet. But perhaps no country in Europe captures the diversity of hiking adventures like France.
In France alone, there are approximately 37,000 miles of established long distance GR footpaths. Known as the sentier de grande randonnée in French, these paths cover the entire nation, from the coast to the mountains, while passing through quaint villages and historic landmarks. With over 300 GR trails to choose from, there are no shortage of interesting options to pursue.
Our Trekking France adventure focused on sampling five GR trails in four different locations, providing us with a rich combination of cultural and natural experiences.
The treks we chose were:
- GR65 – (Via Podiensis) from LePuy-en-Velay to Conques (132 miles, 10 stages, 11 days)
- GR3 – (Loire River Trail) from Saumur to Amboise (88 miles, 7 stages, 8 days)
- GR34 – (Customs Officers Path) from Saint-Malo to Mont-Saint-Michel (50 miles, 4 stages, 4 days)
- GR1 – (Tour of Ile-de-France) and GR22 – (Normandy to Paris) from Rambouillet to Paris (71 miles, 5 stages, 5 days)
After a total of 340 miles and 26 stages, we completed our Trekking France journey in front of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral at the “Point Zero” marker. It signifies the zero kilometer point for French roads, and is the historic and symbolic center of the country.
Check out the recap videos from each trek below:
GR65 – (Via Podiensis)
GR3 – (Loire River Trail)
GR34 – (Customs Officers Path)
GR1 – (Tour of Ile-de-France) and GR22 – (Normandy to Paris)
Read more about our journey below:
Follow Our New Journey – Trekking France!
Europe is one of our favorite places to trek in the world, with a rich variety of hiking options. But perhaps no country in Europe captures the diversity of trekking opportunities like France. During our new Trekking France adventure we plan to hike 340 miles on five long-distance GR trails in four different locations.
Bonjour and Bon Camino: Beginning the Via Podiensis GR65
The GR65 route originating in Le Puy-en-Valey is known as the Via Podiensis in Latin. We were intrigued by trekking through medieval French villages and the tranquil countryside while experiencing a part of France not normally on the tourist path. So we planned a 10-day trek taking us from Le Puy west to Conques.
From Scenic Highlands to Medieval Villages: Completing the GR65 in Conques
As we rejoined the trail after a rest day, we would continue our trek along the Massif Central. During our final six stages and 73.5 miles we would hike through a nature park, make a long descent to the Lot River, and traverse through several more idyllic medieval villages before ending our trek in Conques.
Trekking along the "Royal River's" Historic Villages and Chateaux: Beginning France's GR3 Trail
We chose to trek 88 miles of the GR3 through the heart of the Loire Valley, home to famous wineries and historic castles (chateaux). With hundreds of chateaux to visit in the area, it is no wonder that the valley and the river were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
A Tale of Three Chateaux: Completing the GR3 in Amboise
During our first five days of GR3 trekking we encountered numerous medieval chateaux. Even though we only had two days and 21.2 miles of hiking left, we had three more Loire Valley chateau visits planned. Each one would provide us with a unique glimpse into the culture and history of the region.
Roaming along Brittany's Emerald Coast: Trekking the GR34 to Mont-Saint-Michel
Brittany has over 1,650 miles of shoreline, and for our third trek in France we chose to roam along its Emerald Coast. Our trek on the GR34 would take us 50 miles over four stages, beginning from the city of Saint-Malo and ending at the island of Mont-Saint-Michel.
A Forest Finale: Trekking the GR 1 and GR 22 to Paris
For our fourth and final trek we planned an extended time in the forest, as we created a 71-mile, five-stage route combining sections of two different GR trails. Our trek under the trees could not have come at a better time, as a heat wave made each day more challenging.