Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
A few years ago, in September 2021, we fell in love with the "QUEYRAS" region in the Hautes-Alpes. We also did some short day hikes but stayed in guest rooms. So, I’d recommend this beautiful area to you.
If you’d like to get an idea of the region, I suggest checking out a photo travel journal I put together over 19 pages here:
I just read your travel journal about Queyras—a region I’ve been dreaming of visiting off-season for some easy hikes and photos! Exactly what you did. I was thinking of going in June or September, but I had no idea there were so many larch trees that turn such gorgeous colors. You also need the right weather...
Your super detailed and well-photographed journal made me dream—I’m used to greener mountains. Thanks!
I just read your travel journal about the Queyras...
That journal made me dream—I’m used to greener mountains. Thank you.
Thanks to you, Noëlle, for your kind words.
I think we were lucky with the weather; the following year, the region got rain at the same time.
As I mentioned, we loved the Queyras. We might go back.
Hope you make your dream come true.
Cheers.
Hi Mathieu,
What a great idea to come hiking in my neck of the woods! 😉
Must-see spots for hiking: Haute-Savoie, of course—you’ll be amazed!
Chamonix, Morzine, Annecy…
The only issue: timing! 🏴☠️
Early August (until the 15th), the sites are packed, and you won’t be able to just show up at campgrounds without a reservation…
My advice: go for less crowded spots and head to Haute-Savoie after the 15th (bring a light sweater, as the weather can change. Though the forecast is 🤞🏼)
Good evening Mathieu,
just a few suggestions.
-I agree with Montagnard74 about campgrounds: it seems wise to book for the first half of August.
-To find campgrounds, two sites: campingfrance.com and randocamping (in addition to Google).
- To see varied landscapes (since you’re staying for a month), try spending a week in a Prealps range, a week in an inner range with major glaciers, and a week in an inner range without major glaciers. That’ll leave you another week to choose another range from one of these three types.
-Example using the Queyras idea (from a previous post): Chartreuse, Écrins, Queyras.
You can add the Clarée Valley and Briançon as a bonus. All of this with not too much driving.
-Another example (so we don’t forget the Savoyards): Chablais, Mont-Blanc, Beaufortain, plus whatever else you’d like. All of that with not too much driving either.
With more kilometers, you can also choose from the Savoy departments as well as Isère or Hautes-Alpes.
From what I remember, in the Chamonix Valley, transportation is free. Also, in the Queyras, the inter-village bus lines are free: this lets you do hikes that aren’t loops or out-and-backs.
About the crowds, I hadn’t thought about making reservations... I wanted to be able to adjust the itinerary as we go. That’s what I did on three previous trips, cycle-touring in the Alps. But that was always in July. So, in your opinion, can I get away without reservations if I start with less popular spots, like Montagnard suggested? For example, could I manage without booking in places like Chartreuse and Les Écrins, or the Queyras, during the first two weeks of August? All your suggestions are welcome, thanks!
Hi! For the Écrins, which is a national park, the only accommodation option is mountain huts (refuges), so it's best to book in advance.
Otherwise, you'll have to descend back down into the valley.
For the Clarée Valley, there are several campsites, including La Vachette above Briançon. It has a pool!
There are also campsites near Val-des-Prés.
Further north, east of Névache, there’s a campsite in a place called Sallé, near Plampinet.
Once you pass Briançon, you can head up to the Col des Ayes on the other side—there’s a beautiful campsite in the larch forest called Camping du Planet, close to the Col de l'Izoard.
Otherwise, there are plenty of hiking options and lots to see—you won’t get bored! 🙂
In the Queyras, I recommend Château Queyras, an old fortification. There’s a campsite in the village, but bring food as there’s only a small shop.
If you go to Sallé and Plampinet, you can hike up to the Chalets des Acles—a stunning, wild spot.
From there, after a few hours of walking, you can optionally climb Mont Chaberton, built at 3,100 m altitude.
It’s an impressive former Italian fort, nicknamed the "battleship of the clouds."
However, it’s strongly recommended to start very early in the morning.
We don’t want to drive too much—maybe it’s not worth going too far south and exposing ourselves to unnecessary heat?
At higher altitudes, it’s obviously less hot.
Keep in mind that for every 200 m you climb, the temperature drops by about 1°C.
Even in August or September, you might see a few snowflakes at 2400 m :)
We don’t want to drive too much—maybe it’s unnecessary to push too far south and expose ourselves to the heat for no reason?
At higher altitudes, it’s obviously less hot.
Keep in mind that for every 200 m you climb, the temperature drops by 1°C.
Even in August or September, you might see a few snowflakes at 2,400 m :)
Yeah, I remember the Col du Galibier from a previous bike touring trip. We saw some snowflakes and it was really windy! We didn’t hang around the pass for long, and when we got to Briançon, the heat…🥵
We’ll have the right mountain gear. Actually, I was more worried about "roasting" in the campgrounds if we go too far south.
Thanks for your camping and hiking suggestions—I’ve noted them down :)
Do you think these places get overcrowded during the first two weeks of August? I’d love to get away without making reservations…
I’d suggest pretty much the same thing as @Lescs.
While I love Haute-Savoie (Chamonix, Argentière, etc.), I’d avoid going there in August!
The area is also quite densely populated... Unless you’re a mountaineer, I’d skip it.
The Écrins National Park is packed with beautiful spots—I won’t go into details, just check them out online.
https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/
Plus, you’ll have a better chance of good weather. It never gets too hot in the mountains!
P.S. Short hikes and longer ones are possible everywhere in the Écrins.
I particularly love Valgaudemar, Valjouffrey... Névache too, but avoid the Clarée Valley—it’s overcrowded in summer.
While I love Haute-Savoie (Chamonix, Argentières, etc.), I’d avoid going there in August!
This department is also quite densely populated... Unless you're a mountaineer, I’d steer clear.
The peak season is really July 14th to August 15th—after that, it calms down ☺
And it’s still some of the most beautiful spots in France, objectively speaking 😉
And they’re still objectively the most beautiful spots in France
Yeah, even though I find the department itself too densely populated and too urbanized, no matter the season.
The Hautes-Alpes are less crowded, and in terms of high mountains, the Écrins have their own 4,000m peaks! Barre des Écrins, Meije, Pelvoux, Olan, etc. I love their wilder side. Same for the Queyras, though it’s drier and more "Mediterranean."
PS: I was in Passy last July ;)
Less known near where I live (from Grenoble): The Belledonne range (Isère/Savoie)..
Avoid the Chartreuse and the Vercors (where I live) in the middle of summer because they're not high enough, so there's a risk of heat.
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Here’s my plan:
- Spending about two weeks in Nepal in the first half of February.
- Maybe extending by a few days to a week if needed.
- Heading to Pokhara—first time for my partner, second for me (I was there in September/October 1982!).
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A bank transfer is required upfront.
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We’re planning an 8-day backpacking trip on the island of São Nicolau. We’re torn between taking the boat from São Vicente or an inter-island flight. I’ve heard the boats don’t always run?
We’d like to make three homestay stops to travel in a star pattern from each of the three points.
First stop around Juncalinho, second stop near Cachaco, and finally a third leg near Tarrafal. We’re looking for simple but authentic guesthouses (no hotels). Any suggestions?
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Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
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Thanks!
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Also, beyond the physical effort, are there any technical, exposed, or vertigo-inducing sections on this part?
Since I’m finding very little info, I’m being thorough with my questions.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
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I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
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Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
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General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
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Elocine
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If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
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I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
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I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
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We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
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We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
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Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
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Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
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A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
