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France has hundreds of long-distance hiking trails (GR), but some really stand out from the crowd. From the Customs Officers’ Path in Brittany to the ridges of Corsica, the most beautiful GR trails in France cross varied landscapes, accessible to walkers of all abilities. Our team has listed the cheap campsites near the stages so you can hike without breaking the bank.
Here’s our selection and our tips for choosing the route that’s right for you, based on your budget and fitness level.
The GR34 follows the entire Breton coastline over around 2,090 km, from Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire. Nicknamed the Customs Officers’ Path, it reveals cliffs, colourful harbours and beaches as far as the eye can see. Its short stages and gentle elevation gain make it the most accessible GR trail in France, perfect for a first long-distance hike. Affordable campsites in Brittany dot the end of almost every stage, a real bonus for a tight budget.
The GR20 crosses Corsica from north to south over around 180 km, from Calenzana to Conca. Known as the toughest trail in Europe, it strings together rocky ridges, mountain lakes and technical sections. Its 16 stages call for good physical fitness and serious equipment. It’s usually walked in about a fortnight, with mountain huts and bivouacs punctuating the route. A challenge for seasoned hikers, rewarded with magnificent mountain panoramas.
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The GR10 links Hendaye, on the Atlantic, to Banyuls-sur-Mer, on the Mediterranean, across the entire Pyrenean range. Around 900 km long, it climbs mountain passes and alpine pastures, then crosses mountain villages and nature reserves. Allow several weeks for the full route, or choose a section suited to your level. Numerous low-price campsites in the Pyrenees dot the route on the French side, handy for lightening the accommodation bill.
The GR54 loops around the Écrins massif over around 176 km, at the heart of the Alps. This demanding circuit strings together passes above 2,000 metres, glacial lakes and high-mountain villages. Its steep elevation changes reserve it for trained hikers, over ten to twelve days of walking. Campsites in the valleys, particularly around Bourg-d’Oisans, provide an affordable base for reaching the stages.
The GR5 descends from Lake Geneva to Nice over around 600 km, following the great crossing of the Alps. The route links resorts, alpine pastures and national parks such as the Vanoise, with challenging passes and long climbs. Allow nearly a month to complete it end to end, or a week per section. Campsites in the alpine valleys offer an affordable stopover between two high-altitude stages.
The GR65 follows the Le Puy route, the busiest of the Ways of St James, over around 750 km between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It crosses the Aubrac, the Lot valley and the Gers, between Romanesque heritage and vast farmland. Its moderate level and numerous stopping points make it a long-distance walk accessible to many.
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Good to know: on the ground, a GR trail is identified by its white-and-red waymarking, painted on rocks, trees or posts. A cross indicates the wrong direction, while an angle indicates a turn. Our team recommends always carrying the guidebook and a map, as the network evolves and some stages change from one season to the next.
The right GR trail mainly depends on your physical fitness and how much time you have. There’s no need to aim for Corsica for a first long-distance hike. Here’s how to see things clearly according to your level:
Planning your next long-distance walk? Find campsites near your GR trail on our site right now and put together a stay at the best price, with total peace of mind!
The most beautiful GR trail in France depends on your taste, but two trails stand out unanimously. The GR34, in Brittany, is the French favourite for its coastal scenery. The GR20, in Corsica, is considered the most legendary with its mountain panoramas. Sea or summits, it’s up to you to decide based on the atmosphere you’re after.
To start hiking, it’s best to choose a flat, well-waymarked GR trail. The GR34, along the Breton coast, and the GR3, which follows the Loire, are perfectly suited to first long-distance hikes. Their short stages and gentle elevation gain let you walk without exhausting your legs or your morale.
The hardest GR trail in France is the GR20, which crosses Corsica from north to south. This mountain trail combines steep elevation changes, technical sections and demanding stages over around 180 km. It’s aimed at trained hikers who are well equipped and used to rugged terrain.
