France Walking Holidays
With Heidi
Find your freedom...
Why choose a France walking holiday?
- 120,000km of marked hiking and walking trails
- Stroll valleys, hike glaciers, and ride lifts to high alpine trails
- 2 French Alps destinations to choose from
Wander verdant alpine meadows, walk glittering Lac Blanc with it's lofty Mont Blanc views, or cool off with a post-hike dip in beautiful Lac de Montriond. Your French Alps walking holiday is yours to shape.
In Chamonix, ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3,842m and hike through pine forests and glacial valleys — ooh là là. Or, in Morzine, lace up your boots and set off on the Portes du Soleil’s 800km of trails, from ridge scrambles to gentle lakeside strolls. Whatever you seek, our France hiking holidays deliver délices by the baguette-ful.
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How to get around on your trip
How our self-guided France walking holidays work:
Our self-guided trips let you set your own pace, from the length of your stay, to how far you walk each day. But if you’re used to group or guided holidays, you might be wondering how you’ll get around? Well, it’s easy…
Getting to resort from the airport:
You can leave this bit to us. When booking, choose either a shared or private transfer and you’ll be whisked from the airport to your resort.
Getting to your walks and hikes:
Most gondolas that work all winter for ski holidays, work all summer too, often well into autumn. So unless you want to, you don’t need to start your walks from the mountain base, you can easily catch a lift to the trailhead.
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Why book a mountain holiday with Heidi?
Choose your France adventure
Chamonix
One of the world’s best walking destinations. Gentle valleys and high-alpine glaciers.
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Hiking & Walking holidays in France
Your questions answered by our France walking holiday expert
When is the best time of year for a walking holiday in France?
The best time for a walking holiday in France is late June through September, when the high mountain passes are clear of snow, and the refuges are fully staffed.
- July and August bring the best weather, but the busiest trails.
- September is outstanding: the crowds thin, the light turns golden, and the conditions remain excellent across most of the French Alps.
- May and June are equally good, with wildflowers and far fewer people.
Which part of France is best for a walking holiday?
How difficult are the walking trails in France?
French walking trails use a colour-coded system similar to ski piste grading:
- Green for easy family walks.
- Blue for moderate terrain.
- Red for more demanding routes.
- Black for difficult or technical trails.
- GR (Grande Randonnée) routes are long-distance and typically red or black rated in mountain terrain.
- PR (Promenade et Randonnée) routes are shorter day walks, often green or blue.
The system is applied consistently across France, and trail signs include estimated times and difficulty.
Is a self-guided or guided walking holiday better in France?
Guided suits those doing more technical terrain - high-altitude circuits, glaciated approaches, or scrambling routes where an IFMGA-certified mountain guide is needed for safety.
For most, self-guided walking holidays in France are the sweet spot.
Can I hire a mountain guide on my France walking holiday?
Yes, you can. Guided walking or hiking tours are available at most resorts across France.
Though these are not currently bookable via the Heidi website, you can enquire and book with your resort's local tourist office upon arrival, or visit their website. What's more, you can even get discounts when using your free Summer Card*. We recommend booking early to ensure availability.
* Summer Card included for free with stays at select hotels and accommodations.
How do I get to the starting point of walks and hikes?
Most resorts have a great network of local buses and trains that can link you up to the starting point of hikes and trails as well as neighbouring resorts, giving you plenty to explore with ease.
We recommend checking out maps and timetables for bus and train routes with the resort’s local tourist office or on their website.
Can I still access lift and gondolas in the summer?
Yes, you can. Lifts and gondolas still operate throughout the summer months, provided conditions are safe and favourable, and many of the mountain bars and eateries you’d find on a skiing holiday still operate during these warmer months.
Even better, with your free Summer Card*, you can get great discounts and even free access to many of these lifts and gondola routes.
* Summer Card included for free with stays at select hotels and accommodations.
Should I book France for a beginner walking holiday?
France is an excellent choice for beginner walkers. In the Alps, the valley-level walking around Morzine and Samoens is accessible to all fitness levels, with gondolas available to lift you to mid-altitude without the ascent, and guesthouses, cafes, and signage making walking alone or without a guide incredibly easy and manageable.
Is France a good destination for family walking holidays?
France is a great family walking destination, particularly in the French Alps, where resorts invest year-round in summer infrastructure.
Top tip: one thing France does particularly well for families is the food culture — with trailside café stops becoming part of the experience rather than just refuelling.
Is France good for advanced hikers?
- The Tour du Mont Blanc involves around 10,000m of cumulative ascent — a serious multi-day commitment requiring fitness, navigation confidence, and advanced refuge booking.
- Chamonix is a hub for both experienced skiers and hikers, offering plenty of hiking trails and even MTB routes for those looking to push their limits.
What's included with my Summer Card?
What's a Summer Card? Glad you asked!
Complimentary with most hotel stays, this little pass helps you get more mountain for your money. It includes lift rides, lake and lido swimming, bike rentals, local transportation, guided walks, cycle tours, and much more.
Some activities are free with the card; others are discounted—it depends on the resort. Keep an eye out for the Summer Card symbol to see which hotels offer it and what benefits you can receive.
