Trekking France Recap Videos
In April and May 2026 we trekked 340 miles in four different locations in France. Each trail provided us with a rich combination of cultural and natural experiences. We created a recap video for each of our treks.
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Seven Things I Discovered While Trekking France
Our latest Trekking the Planet journey took us through France, hiking 340 miles over 26 stages. After all the trekking we have done we don’t encounter many surprises, but we continue to discover new things wherever we go.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Bonjour and Bon Camino: Beginning the Via Podiensis GR65
The GR65 route originating in Le Puy-en-Velay 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.
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.
Climb the Mountains and Get their Good Tidings: Completing the John Muir Trail
After finishing our five-day, 50-mile Pacific Crest Trail / John Muir Trail trek a few weeks earlier, we realized that we had just a few stages left to complete the entire 211-mile JMT. So we returned to the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a final six stage trek.
A Return to the Sierra Nevada Mountains: Section Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
We are back in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains to hike on one of our favorite sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). In June 2016 we last hiked this portion of the PCT, encountering high water crossings and snowy passes. So we looked forward to a much different trail experience in August 2025.
Of Sand, Wind, and Waves: Trekking the Monterey Bay California Coastal Trail
The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a 1,230-mile proposed route that, when complete, will traverse the entire state’s coastline. We incorporated a five-day, 60-mile hike on the Monterey Bay section of the CCT into a road trip north to visit family in Seattle, Washington.