Nordic walking is becoming increasingly popular in France. It's a sport with proven health benefits, as well as incredible scenery. With this in mind, we've selected the 11 best Nordic walking routes in France. Each one offers a glimpse of some of the country's most beautiful landscapes, on trails adapted to Nordic walking.
1. Lac du Lauvitel in the Écrins National Park
- Distance: 6.3 km
- Difference in altitude: 560 m
- Duration: 1 h 30 min
- Itinerary
This trail in the Écrins National Park is one of the best Nordic walking itineraries in France, and one of the best things to do in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Indeed, thanks to the steep gradient over a short distance, the whole body will be put to the test, and your walking poles will be a great help. This hike in the Écrins National Park is intense, but relatively short, so you'll end up tired from this challenging route, without it being inaccessible. In addition to your walking sticks, don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars to get the best possible view of the marmots you come across in these superb mountain landscapes. You'll finally arrive at Lac du Lauvitel, the largest lake in the massif, at an altitude of 1,530 m.
2. Lac de Trécolpas, in the Mercantour National Park
- Distance: 10 km
- Difference in altitude: 600 m
- Duration: 2 hrs
- Itinerary
This itinerary takes you to Lac de Trécolpas in the Mercantour National Park, one of the most beautiful natural sites in the PACA region. Lac de Trécolpas lies at an altitude of 2,150 m, so you'll have to climb a little to reach it on this medium-level trail. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the peaks, and you're likely to come across a few mountain animals, such as chamois and marmots. The trail is particularly well marked. Along the way, you can enjoy a meal at the Cougourde refuge.
3. The customs path around Cap Fréhel
- Distance: 10 km
- Difference in altitude: 220 m
- Walkingtime : 2 h
- Itinerary
The Sentier des Douaniers, or GR®34, is undoubtedly France's most legendary hiking trail. It was voted " France's favorite GR® " in 2018. Here we offer just one section of the sentier des Douaniers, ideal for Nordic walking. This easy stroll will allow you to admire Cap Fréhel and Fort la Latte. This exceptional landscape has been awarded the Grand Site de France label, making it one of Brittany's must-see sites. And don't forget your binoculars as well as your walking poles, as you'll be crossing a bird sanctuary!
4. From Pont-de-Montvert to Florac, stage 10 of the GR®70
- Distance: 29.5 km
- Difference in altitude: 887 m
- Time: 8 hrs
- Itinerary
The Cévennes National Park offers some of the best Nordic walking itineraries in France, including this superb 30 km trail. Be warned: this is a difficult route, as it is long and steep, but it will allow you to admire some of the most beautiful landscapes in Occitanie. This is the longest stage of the Chemin de Stevenson, or GR®70. This great hike follows the route taken by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer who crossed the Cévennes in 1878 accompanied by a donkey named Modestine, from which he drew the book Voyage avec un âne dans les Cévennes, which you can read before your walk to get into the swing of things.
5. The forest of Fontainebleau
- Distance: 25 km
- Difference in altitude: 528 m
- Duration : 6 h
- Itinerary
The Forêt de Fontainebleau offers some of the best Nordic walking routes in France for those living in the Paris region. However, the forest is one of the most heavily used in the country, and you are invited to take steps to protect the environment. You'll start your hike at the foot of the château, before setting off on a loop through the heart of the forest. Please note that this is a difficult itinerary due to its length.
6. The Gironde castles loop
- Distance: 31.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 450 m
- Duration: 7 hrs
- Itinerary
This is the perfect route for Nordic walking, combining historical and natural heritage, along a long trail that will keep you happy for a whole day. You'll pass through some superb Mediterranean landscapes in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and come across some interesting châteaux, some of which have been converted into wine estates. In fact, the great advantage of this trail is that it's very close to Bordeaux, famous for its grands crus!
7. Around Lac de Saint-Point
- Distance: 21 km
- Difference in altitude: 427 m
- Duration : 5 h
- Itinerary
Lac de Saint-Point is one of Franche-Comté's most beautiful treasures. Located in the Haut-Doubs region, it is also the ninth largest natural lake in France, so you'll need to walk over 20 km to complete the tour. As you walk along the lake, don't miss Port Titi and its colorful cottages, a charming village founded by fishermen from Pontarlier. In summer, don't forget your swimsuit to enjoy the emerald waters of the lake. You'll also need sun cream, binoculars to watch the herons, and mosquito repellent in the warmer months, as mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in this wetland.
8. Cap Blanc-Nez on the Opal Coast
- Distance: 17.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 517 m
- Time: 4 hrs
- Itinerary
Head for the Hauts-de-France region this time for one of France's best Nordic walking itineraries. You'll walk in a loop along the coastline of the Côte d'Opale, enjoying superb sea views all the way. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of the English coastline! Overall, this is a medium-level hike.
9. Tour des Puys d'Auvergne
- Distance: 15.8 km
- Difference in altitude: 336 m
- Walkingtime: 3.5 h
- Itinerary
In the Massif Central, a mountain, often of volcanic origin, is called a "puy". Indeed, it's these typical Auvergne landscapes that you'll discover on this superb Nordic walking trail. You'll walk around the Puy du Dôme and the Puy du Pariou, without climbing all the way to the summit. That's why this walk has only a slight gradient and is therefore of medium level. Of course, you can also choose to lengthen your walk, or even extend it over several days, by staying in a gîte to conquer the summit of Puy du Dôme.
10. The Crozon peninsula loop
- Distance: 15 km
- Difference in altitude: 475 m
- Walkingtime: 3.5 h
- Itinerary
This itinerary in the heart of the Armorique Regional Nature Park lends itself perfectly to a sporting vacation, especially as the region also abounds in cycling itineraries. You'll start your journey in Crozon, more precisely at the Maison des Minéraux, a museum you can visit, as it houses Europe's largest collection of fluorescent minerals. You'll then walk along a looped itinerary that stretches to the tip of the Crozon peninsula, known as Cap de la Chèvre.
11. Tour of the four Jura lakes
- Distance: 15 km
- Difference in altitude: 400 m
- Walkingtime: 3 h
- Itinerary
In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, discover one of the best hikes in Franche-Comté, and one of the best Nordic walking trails in France. This medium-difficulty trail takes you up to the Pic de l'Aigle and its superb panorama, then around four famous Jura lakes: Lac du Petit Maclu, Lac du Grand Maclu, Lac de Narlay and Lac de la Motte.
