10 Easy Hiking Trips in France – Scenic Spots & Nature Trails
Are you ready for an amazing adventure in the France? Then you are at the right place. France is a gorgeous country full of the amazing views and incredible places. Out of these, one wonderful thing that you will absolutely enjoy are the hiking trips in France. By choosing these, you get to explore the charming villages and the enthralling landscapes. With the help of this guide and a France Visa from UK, you will get the chance to have an unforgettable adventure!
10 Easy Hiking Trips in France You Must Not Miss!
The Best easy hiking spots around Cauterets
1. The Pont d’Espagne
This hiking spot is a wonderful place that is popular for its picturesque stone bridge. You will come across this location in the heart of the French Pyrenees.
This hiking spot is located at a height of around 1,500 metres and spans the Gave de Marcadau river. In fact, this place serves as the important link historically between the France and Spain.
Although, reaching the Pont d’Espagne is relatively easy, this place is the gateway to many hiking spots. These include the Lac de Gaube, Chemin des Cascades, Refuge Wallon Trail.
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2. Enjoy Hiking at Lac de Gaube
The Lac de Gaube is a stunning mountain lake that you will find in the Pyrenees National Park.
This hiking spot is popular because of the picturesque scenery it offers. In addition to this, there are the outdoor activities, that the visitors often fall in love with.
There are two hiking trails in this place that are quite popular amongst the visitors. The first one is the circular trail. This place is essentially a flat circular path around the lake. People who visit here can enjoy a leisurely stroll with the amazing views of the surrounding mountains and the greenery.
Then there are the challenging hikes. You will find the marked trails with different difficulty levels. However, each trail leads to a gorgeous view point and the nearby attractions. All you need to enjoy these amazing hiking experiences is a France Schengen Visa!
How to get from Lourdes to Cauterets by Bus?
For going from the Lourdes to the Cauterets, you can take the line 965 liO bus.
This bus will start from the Lourdes – Gare Routière (the main bus station). The entire journey takes around 1 hour. The time of the journey will depend on the specific route taken.
The good thing is that the bus runs five times per day. This will accommodate your visits depending on the itinerary that you plan. Some of the key bus stops of this route are the Argelès-Gazost, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and the Barèges.
The price of the bus ticket is just €2. This makes the journey an an affordable choice for the travellers!
Family-friendly hiking trails around France
1. Discover the Cirque de Gavarnie
One of the top ranking hiking spots in the France is the Cirque de Gavarnie. You will come across this wonderful place in the Pyrenees region of the France.
In fact, this place is a popular attraction of the Parc National des Pyrenees. In addition to this, the place also holds the tag of the UNESCO World Heritage Site!
This is a relatively easy trail which you will start from the Gavarnie village. The trail gradually ascends to a delightful height of about 1,450 metres. The trail has a challenging section in the form of a steep incline that lasts for around a few hundred metres. However, the best part is, this hiking experience is suitable for all levels of hikers.
One of the major attractions of this hiking spot is the waterfalls. But, specifically, the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie. This waterfall boasting 422 metres of height is the highest waterfall of the mainland France. Why wait any longer? Grab a France visa from UK today!
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Scenic hiking routes in Cauterets for beginners
1. The Fruitière Valley
This valley is a beautiful hiking attraction that you will find near the Cauterets. This place offers a wide selection of the trails. These usually cater to different levels of hikers. This makes the Fruitière Valley, a popular choice for the beginners.
You can start the trail from the Cambasque road which leads to the Cambasque plateau. The entire length of the trail is around 6 kilometers. Also, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the trail one way.
Along the trail, you will come across some amazing things. These include the Gave de Lutour river, the Sahucs Waterfall and the La Fruitière. So, when are you booking the France visa appointment? These hiking trails in France await you!
2. Discover the Route des Cascades
This wonderful hiking spot also known as the Chemin des Cascades is a favourite amongst the travellers. This hiking trail is also in the famous Pyrenees National Park.
This trail is best known for offering views of the stunning waterfalls and the beautiful nature scenery.
The entire trail stretches to almost 10 kilometres (round trip). It will take you approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete the entire trail. The maximum height you will reach is around 440 metres of around 1,444 feet from the La Raillère to Pont d’Espagne.
You can reach the starting point i.e., the La Raillère, easily by the bus. Along the route, you will get to experience many waterfalls. Some of these include the Cascade de Mauhourat, Cascade d’Escane-Gat, Cascade du Ceriset and more.
This hiking destination is well-market and beginners, families and casual hikers usually come to enjoy adventure experiences here!
Top nature trails near Cauterets for fall travellers
1. The Marcadau Valley
A captivating hiking place that you must not miss out is the Marcadau Valley.
Right from the breathtaking landscapes to the high mountain lakes, this spot has it all. Apart from this, you will love checking out the diverse range of the wildlife.
One of the major attractions of this place is the Refuge Wallon. This place is essentially a starting point for many hikes and is located at a height of 1,865 metres. Then, there are the beautiful lakes like the Embarrat Lakes, Lac du Pourtet, and Lac Nère. These are popular for their turquoise waters and the stunning alpine scenery.
Apart from this, the best hiking route that you should take is the circuit of lakes. You will pass through the valley while covering around 20 kilometres of the trail. The entire trail takes about 7 hours to complete.
During the hike you will get to see wildlife like the chamois, marmots, and various bird species. Do not miss out on such Easy hiking trails in the Pyrenees near Cauterets!
Must-visit natural spots in France for outdoor lovers
1. Villages of Luberon Mountains
The fascinating Luberon Mountains house a number of beautiful villages . Each village showcases the rich history and the gorgeous landscapes of the region.
One of the first villages that you should visit is the Gordes. This is a hill top village that is famous for its stone architecture and incredible views. In fact, this place ranks amongst the most beautiful villages of the France!
Then, there is the Bonnieux village. This village is on the hillside and features terraced layouts along with an iconic church tower. One of the must visit places in this village is the markets where you can buy a lot of wonderful things.
Apart from this, there are the Ménerbes and the Roussillon villages. The Ménerbes is popular for its historical importance. That is because, the place is home to the remnants from the Wars of Religion. On the other hand, when you go to the Roussillon, you will witness a variety of colours. That is because, the place is full of colourful and vibrant buildings. In fact, this place is one of the most visited villages in the Luberon.
You can also explore other popular villages of the Luberon Mountains. These include the Lourmarin, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cabrières-d’Aigues, Saignon and Ansouis.
Plan your hiking trips in France carefully by reading about all these incredible places. Only after a thorough understanding, you can choose the top destinations in France for a delightful hiking experience!
Thermal baths and relaxation activities in Cauterets
1. Visit the Les Bains du Rocher
The Les Bains du Rocher is a popular wellness centre that you will find in the Cauterets. This is essentially a thermal spa that offers a wide range of relaxation and therapeutic services. This is one of the biggest reasons why the locals and travellers visit this place for the rejuvenation after the outdoor activities.
This place offers some wonderful facilities like the thermal pools and wellness treatments. Apart from this, you can also relax in the dedicated relaxation areas. These include the hammams and the saunas as well.
2. Check out the Le Jardin des Bains
The Le Jardin des Bains is another wonderful wellness centre in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France. You will come across this place in the Argelès-Gazost.
The place has a wide choice of facilities which include the thermal pools and wellness treatments. Apart from this, you will also come across some unique spaces. These are theme areas like the Forêt d’Émeraude and Ziggourat.
All of these are expertly designed to ensure that you enjoy the best of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Bonus – The Coastal Walk in Bassin D’Arcachon
The Bassin D’Arcachon is an amazing place that offers a wide choice of coastal walks. During these walks, you get the chance to witness the beauty of the region firsthand!
Some of the highlights of this walk include the Dune of Pilat and the Cap Ferret. The Dune of Pilat is one of the tallest sand dunes in the Europe. It rises a whopping 100 metres of height and stretches almost 2.7 kilometres. Then, there is the Cap Ferret which features a lot of wild dunes and the unspoiled beaches.
Apart from this, you will enjoy walking on the 90-kilometre coastal path. During the walk, you will get to witness the beautiful beaches, dunes, and pine forests.
Conclusion
These easy hiking trips in France along with the nature attractions and relaxation spots are exactly what you need for the perfect French vacation.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hiker, these hiking trails will match your preferences. In addition to this, you will love seeing the stunning waterfalls, different landscapes and the gorgeous views!
So, why hold yourself back any longer? Choose the hiking experiences that match your preferences. Also, make sure to apply for France visa as soon as possible for a relaxing trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
France has a wide choice of easy hiking trails. Some of them include the Lac de Gaube, Cap d’Antibes, Pointe d’En Vau, and the Circuit du Belvédère . These trails feature the beautiful landscapes, coastal views and are perfect for beginners as well as the families.
You will find the Dune of Pilat in the Bassin D’Arcachon along the Atlantic Coast area . This is an iconic place that provides the breathtaking views of the forest and the ocean that surrounds it.
Yes, you will find many hiking spots that are ideal for the families . Some of them include the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Circuit du Belvédère.
To ensure an easy hike, you must always prefer wearing the comfortable hiking shoes. In addition to this, you must choose breathable clothing according the weather conditions. Also, carry a hat, snacks and water.
Yes, you can easily go hiking in the France during the winter. In fact, you will find it quite comfortable to enjoy the outdoor activities of the France in winter . However, make sure to check the conditions of the trail and wear appropriate clothing for a convenient hiking experience.
