Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Southern France
Southern France does hiking right. Think about Provence’s routes linking medieval villages with coastal paths. Explore Menton's cobblestone streets before climbing Mont Bastide castle ruins. Explore gardens along the Riviera including Villa de Rothschild and Serre de la Madone, and don’t miss the Ardèche volcanic landscapes leading to hidden chapel Soutron. You can walk through vineyards and lavender fields throughout the region.
10 best hiking & trekking Southern France tours
Compiled by
MelissaSouthern France travel expert at TourRadar
- Dordogne River Walk
- From Le Puy en Velay to Cahors via the Voie de la Célé19 Days
- The entire Way of St. James, From Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors19 Days
- France - Hiking the Dordogne 7 Days
- French Alps - The classic Queyras Tour (8 Days)
- the Way of St. James, From Conques via the voie de la Célé to Cahors9 Days
- The French Basque Country Trek: Ocean-to-Mountains (Self-guided Hiking Tour)
- Pyrenees National Park (CAUTERETS) - Self-guided hiking tour
- Provence Hiking Tour : Les Baux de Provence and Gordes
- Provence - The Verdon Gorge 8 Days
The GR6 path from Meyronne follows the Roc de Monges, revealing stunning Dordogne River panoramas. Historic routes link Chateau de Montfort and La Roque-Gageac, passing stone bories and country hamlets. The path rises to Chateau de Beynac's fortress, with visits to Grottes de Lacave's underground cave system.
Duration 9 days Destinations Martel, Meyronne, Souillac, Saint Vincent de Cosse Age Range Ages 8+ Distance 28 mi Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- US$2,075
This 18-night trek follows the GR65 Chemin de Saint-Jacques from Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors, climbing to 1,366m at Aubrac—the highest point on the Via Podiensis pilgrimage route. You'll hike through the volcanic Velay Massif and cross the windswept Aubrac plateau with its dry stone walls and ancient boulders, then head down into the Lot Valley.
Duration 19 days Destinations Le Puy En Velay, Saint-Privat-d'Allier, Saugues, Les Faux, Aumont Aubrac, Nasbinals, Saint-Chely-d'Aubrac, Espalion, Estaing, GolinhacSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in Only: German Physical Rating Moderate Distance 137 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$2,484
This 19-day trek follows the historic Way of St. James from Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors, moving through the volcanic landscapes of the Massif Central and the lush Velay mountains. You'll see UNESCO-listed sites including the Romanesque cathedral of Notre Dame and Hôtel-Dieu in Le Puy-en-Velay. The route takes you to the medieval village of Conques.
Duration 19 days Destinations Le Puy En Velay, Saint-Privat-d'Allier, Saugues, Les Faux, Aumont Aubrac, Nasbinals, Espalion, Estaing, Golinhac, ConquesSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in Only: German Physical Rating Moderate Distance 168 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$2,391
You'll trek through lush forests from medieval Belvès to the 12th-century Cistercian abbey in Cadouin, covering around 15km of scenic trails. The route takes you along narrow paths through hilly wheat fields and past monumental farmhouses to reach the honey-colored village of Montferrand-du-Périgord.
Duration 7 days Destinations Badefols-sur-Dordogne, Cadouin, Monpazier Age Range Ages 16+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 13 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$1,210
Duration 8 days Destinations Guillestre, Embrun, Ceillac, Pont-en-Royans, Saint-Véran Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in Only: German Physical Rating Moderate Distance 201 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$1,158
Walk the historic Way of St. James through Southern France over 9 days, starting in the medieval village of Conques and making your way through the Célé Valley to Cahors. You'll see the UNESCO-listed Abbatiale Sainte-Foy in Conques with its famous Romanesque tympanum, then hike through Figeac's old streets and past Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
Duration 9 days Destinations Conques, Figeac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in Only: German Physical Rating Easy Distance 49 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$1,187
The French Basque Country Trek: Ocean-to-Mountains (Self-guided Hiking Tour)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trails were not crowded, which was surprising for us, but enjoyed this extra. Overall a most enjoyable and highly recommended tour.”
Averil, traveled in August
The GR10 trail stretches from coastal Hendaye through Basque mountain villages. La Rhune (980m) offers panoramic vistas, while dramatic Pas de Roland gorges and the slopes of Artzamendi (924m) await. Daily routes of 12-17km blend challenging ascents with rich cultural encounters.
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Hendaye, Sare, Ainhoa, Bidarray, Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 34 mi Operator Traventuria 
Mountain paths in Southern France's Pyrenees demand 6-8 hours of daily hiking. Pic des Tentes (2322m) stands tall among three glacial cirques - Gavarnie, Estaubé, and Troumouse, alongside the historic GR10 trail. Half-board accommodation and luggage transfers between stages included.
No departure dates availableDuration 7 days Destinations Cauterets Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Traventuria 
The path from Les Baux to Roussillon showcases Southern France's varied landscapes. Alpilles trails reach 350m elevation, offering boulder scrambles and sweeping views. Six nights accommodation and GPS support included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Avignon, Les Baux de Provence, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Eygalieres, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Moderate Distance 72 mi Operator Discover France Adventures From
- US$1,494
The self-guided trek starts from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a UNESCO-listed village, and takes you through Verdon Gorge with daily climbs between 500-1,100m past Mediterranean boxwood and juniper forests. You'll stay at Point Sublime hotel that looks out over the canyon and might spot griffon vultures with 2.6m wingspans flying above the green waters.
Duration 8 days Destinations Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Riez Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in Only: German Distance 6 mi Operator ASI Reisen From
- US$1,633
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in Southern France
- The French Basque Country Trek: Ocean-to-Mountains (Self-guided Hiking Tour)
An extraordinary and most enjoyable trek in the French Pyrenees along the GR10! Easily connected with Camino de Santiago in case you wish to make the popular stage from St. Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona (or why not all the way to Santiago). All arrangements went smooth. The quality of accommodations was pretty good, and so was the food provide.
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Southern France
What is the best time of year to go hiking in Southern France?
Southern France's prime hiking season extends from May through September. June and September stand out as excellent choices with mild temperatures and fewer tourists on the trails. The Luberon region showcases different highlights each season. Spring brings cherry blossoms and wildflowers while autumn offers pleasant temperatures and harvest activities. Recent travelers advise against hiking in July and August especially in Provence where temperatures can reach 40°C and many trails face fire restrictions.
How challenging are the hiking trails in Southern France?
Southern France offers trails for every skill level. The Pyrenees National Park features more demanding routes spanning 12-20km daily with elevation gains of 400-900m. For easier options head to Provence where trails average 8-15km per day with gentler climbs of 200-400m. The Hotel l'Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines caters to various abilities offering both short valley walks lasting 2-3 hours and full-day mountain treks.
What type of accommodation can I expect on multi-day hiking tours?
The accommodation options span from local 3-star hotels to historic properties and mountain refuges. Travelers can find themselves staying at places like the Hotel du Poete in Menton or sleeping in converted 11th-century chateaux in the Dordogne complete with swimming pools. One guest's review notes: "The hotels were perfectly located with the Hotel Les Esclargies in Rocamadour offering a beautiful pool and tranquil setting after long days of hiking."
Are the trails well-marked and easy to follow?
The French trail system uses the reliable GR (Grande Randonnée) network marked with red and white blazes. Popular hiking regions like the Luberon and Provence maintain clear local trail markers. Tours along routes such as the Dordogne River Walk come with detailed navigation materials and GPS coordinates. Recent feedback highlights the excellent maintenance particularly on major routes like the GR10 Transpyrenean Trail.
What kind of meals are provided during hiking tours?
Tour packages typically cover breakfast and dinner served at local establishments or hotels. Provence's dining experiences center around regional ingredients olive oil and Mediterranean dishes. The Hotel du Poete in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse serves traditional Provençal evening meals. During daytime hikes most tours arrange picnic lunches featuring local bread cheese and cured meats.
Is it possible to combine hiking with cultural experiences?
The hiking routes naturally incorporate cultural attractions. The Dordogne Walking Tour lets travelers explore medieval villages prehistoric caves and local wineries between hikes. Visitors to Provence often spend mornings on the trails then dedicate afternoons to exploring villages like Gordes or visiting sites such as the Senanque Abbey known for its surrounding lavender fields.