Hiking · FRANCE
This is the shortlist you would send a walking friend: 15 france hiking tours worth the money, each with its price, its length and the one thing to know before you commit.
Hike Marseille’s Calanques with a local guide, picnic, sea swim, striking coves, and practical tips on transport, heat, and difficulty.
“Great experience and wonderful service; an absolute must-do while in Marseille”
Review of the Calanques hike from Marseille, with rocky trails, a picnic, swimming, Blue Cave access, guide tips, costs, and fitness advice.
“Spectacular views, cute village with an amazing cove to swim midway through the hike. Bring lots of water (1.5L+), also an opportunity to pack a picnic for the rocky beach. Swimsuit, towel and water shoes are a bonus (also a small restaurant in the village). On the way out from the cove, we opted for a different path which was very steep and included a climb using an attached chain, probably a 20-25’ rock wall. The path out was much more difficult, but shorter, the nearly 90 degree weather added to the challenge. Overall, easy to moderate entry, hard exit and absolutely worth the effort. Total of about 4.5h with…”
Walk six to eight miles through Auvers-sur-Oise, seeing Van Gogh’s final home, paintings, church, grave, and countryside with a passionate guide.
“This was such a fun day! 7 mile hike (wear tennis shoes and pants per mud and shrubbery along the paths) and learned more about Van Gogh than I could've imagined. The countryside was beautiful and peaceful and the villages were quaint and charming. It was SO cool to see the places that Vincent had painted. Victor (the guide) was phenomenal! Truly a kind, endearing, and knowledgeable man who made the day glide by seamlessly. I will say he is quite the quick walker, so make sure you are up for the pace.”
Review of Marseille’s Calanques hike, with rocky trails, sea swims, picnic snacks, guide quality, transport tips, and honest fitness advice.
“Adrien was great. Very knowledgeable about nature, very friendly and kind. We enjoyed the hike very much and would definitely recommend and schedule another hike with him. The views were spectacular and the water perfect. Thank you”
Hike three stunning calanques from Cassis, swim at Port-Pin, and reach the En-Vau viewpoint with a local guide.
“I thought the guide was friendly and attentive. No knock on her I just don’t think the tour was worth the $$. It’s not like I left with a new perspective or great insights. I feel like it would have been best to hike without a guide.”
Walk Marseille’s coast, quiet parks, old neighborhoods, and Notre-Dame de la Garde with a local guide on this demanding 3.5-hour hike.
“The guide (Olivier) is the best thing of this tour, he is enthousiastic, knows really a lot about Marseille en gives you a lot of information. The tour itself is great, it shows you a part of Marseille that you would never find bij yourself.”
Hike Marseille’s Calanques with a local guide, swim in clear water, and enjoy a picnic of regional foods for an active four-hour outing.
“My experience was very positive. Bruno, the hike guide was very helpful, “sympathique” and good at take pictures. I liked the hiking, not too easy and not too hard, it was my first time hiking and I enjoyed that! I recommend this tour.”
Ride quads or motorcycles through Corrèze forests, with views of Lac du Coiroux, local stops, and routes suited to your level.
“She ensured everyone had a wonderful evening. I loved my time there. Thank you to all the staff but especially Phoebe for her incredible hospitality.”
Ride an off-road electric scooter through Monbazillac vineyards, forests, and castle country, ending with foie gras and local wine.
“Excellent fun. Theo a brilliant guide and the e-scooters were a great way to explore the lanes, tracks, woods and vineyards. Highly recommend.”
Review the 3.5-hour Aquatic Hike in France’s Gorges du Verdon, with rapids, optional jumps, gear, transport, price, and booking tips.
“Superb activity for all. Good coaching. Wonderful moment, beautiful canyon with a small portion of history told by Cyril.Auto-translated”
Ride a Segway from Lake Bourget into Corsuet Forest for views, wetlands, and local history on a small-group Aix-les-Bains tour.
“Très belle découverte en segway super guide entre sécurité et histoire de Savoie a refaire”
Hike Pic Saint-Loup from Montpellier, taste local wine, enjoy sweeping views, and add a home-cooked family lunch for an authentic half-day outing.
“Bertrand is energetic, engaging, and has incredible knowledge of the area and its wines. He went out of his way to accommodate our Pic Saint Loup hike as the others in our group were primarily wine tasting. It was special to be welcomed to his home and to be served terrific food and wines post hike. This is an experience that should not be missed.”
Ride silent all-terrain electric scooters through Monbazillac vineyards and forests near Bergerac, with scenic trails, a guide, and possible wine tasting.
“Upon arrival we received instructions (1 girl spoke good English) and practiced on the electric steps on a small course. Then a super fun tour made right through the vineyards. After initially getting used to the step, it became easier and easier to maneuver over the occasionally irregular terrain. Super fun experience!!Auto-translated”
Ride the historic Alpine train from Nice to Entrevaux and Annot for medieval villages, a castle climb, lunch, and a forest hike.
“I thought the tour guide Carmela was very knowledgeable and told us losts of important information and really looked after us well. she was always willing to take pir pictures and in my case my videos which I used to promote the tour”
Hike two Cassis calanques, Port-Miou and Port-Pin, with a local guide, Provençal scenery, and time to swim for $46.
“La randonnée était à couper le souffle, entre paysages spectaculaires et chemins secrèts. Notre guide, passionnée et passionnante, a su transmettre son amour du lieu avec enthousiasme. La baignade dans les eaux turquoise était un pur bonheur, rafraîchissante et bien méritée après l’effort. Une super découverte que je recommande vivement à tous les amoureux de nature et d’aventure ! 🥾🌊”
By the kind of day you want, or the country you are standing in.
