The sound of soles on the trails, the smell of the forest or the seaside, the backpack that weighs on the shoulders, the beautiful landscapes that we can not tire ... the joys of hiking! Today we are honoring our beautiful country that is France, through 5 hikes to do in France. 5 French travelers share their adventures on the trails they loved to discover!
Itinerary: Day 1: Departure from the car park Tented pass - Glacier
The Jura ... its lakes, its mountains, its waterfalls. A little piece of paradise preserved, which will surely delight all lovers of nature and hiking. If you like to walk, then I definitely recommend the loop of 4 lakes and eagle's peak in the Frasnois region.
From the La Fromagerie hamlet car park, this 14km circuit of medium difficulty plunges us into the heart of a region where fir forests stand alongside lakes of unreal colors. Here, one can easily understand why this region has inherited the sweet nickname of 'Little Scotland'.
After several kilometers along the lakes of small and large Maclus, the trail continues in the forest. The overhanging view is striking! One can at leisure marvel at the color palette that presents itself before us.
But the highlight of this hike is at the Belvedere, the peak of the eagle. The 360 ° panorama is spectacular. In good weather, when the sky is clear it is even possible to see the Alps and Mont Blanc.
This circuit is feasible in 4h or less for good walkers. But if this loop seems too difficult, know that there are other hikes of varying duration and difficulty in the region.
The Taillon Glacier & the Gavarnie Circus
Itinerary: Day 1: Departure from the car park Tented pass - Glacier
taillon - Roland breach refuge - Sarradets scale - Cirque de Gavarnie.
Day 2 - Bois de Bourlic and Bellevue plateau - The planette of
Gavarnie - Pouey Valley Aspé.
Location: Pyrenees
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: average (6 hours walk per stage)
It is a beautiful hike in the heart of the Pyrenees. We left for two days of hiking in the valley of Gavarnie. We made a mistake of beginners: we left too loaded: 17 kilos each on the back (yes). The beginning of the hike is quite simple, without too much difficulty: stony with some river crossings uphill. Once the glacier Taillon reached, the view is beautiful and it will never stop. Beauty, immensity as far as the eye can see. We did not have time to climb to the Breche above (2h AR), so we went directly to the Sarradets ladder to join the circus Gavarnie. The difference in height is crazy, it will take almost 3 hours to go down and reach, completely on the kneecaps, the circus of Gavarnie: 2 km with 1000 m of uneven, almost lengthened in places, with 17 kilos on the back.
We camp in the circus of Gavarnie with the best pasta dish in the world. The reward. The place is beautiful. The next morning, we loop back to the woods to reach the valley that will take us back to the Col des Tentes. Huge of heart for the Planette de Gavarnie and the beautiful valley of Pouey aspé. We start this second day completely exhausted the day before, it is less hard technically, but longer, harder, with fatigue. We will meet some marmots that will cheer us up!
The end will be complicated, the narrow path will take us very high with a sharp emptiness right next to us. A piece of road disappeared, leaving some gravel 10 cm wide, facing the void. It's in tears that I will manage to pass the obstacle without knowing how, Alex really thought we should turn around, and take the hike again looped upside down. We will come back relieved, emptied but happy with so much beauty! This hike is really sublime!
Tips: Lighten your bag, between 7 and 10 kilos per person, maximum for a camping stay. We made the mistake of taking too much water and having a tent too heavy, and I assure you that we will take more, we have been well equipped since. We will invest in lifestraw gourds to lighten up as much water as possible.
You want to camp in the mountains or in a protected area: theoretically, you must be more than 2 hours walk from a road, and deploy the tent at 19h (not before) and left (not lifted) at 9am, in leaving no trace behind you (logical). Do not forget the IGN map, it is essential for hiking.
The Douaniers Trail (Crozon Peninsula)
Itinerary: Customs Route (GR34)
Location: Crozon Peninsula
Duration: 3 days, from Telgruc-sur-Mer to Freight
Distance: 65 km
Difficulty: average (4h to 6h30 of walk by stage, path in good condition without great elevation)
2 favorite landscapes: the beach of the Palue, a paradise of the surfers, haunting since the cliff, and castle of Dinan, a big rock in the form of fortress separated from the ground by a pretty arch.
Which hiker did not one day hear about the emblematic Sentier des Douaniers, which runs along the coast of Brittany over 1800 km from Mont Saint-Michel to the Gulf of Morbihan?
Blessed are those who will be able to borrow it in its entirety ... we chose the wild aspect of the peninsula of Crozon, in the extreme west of France, to discover it.
Telgruc-Sur-Mer, accessible by bus from Quimper, is a good starting point for this 3-day trek which offers, in good weather, magical landscapes: turquoise sea, golden beaches dotted with rocks and gorse in bloom, dunes, cliffs, all under the whistling gulls.
The most pleasant period to follow this route is from April to October. For swimming, it is better to favor the summer (in April, the water was at 14 ° C) but we have a preference for the months of April and October during which the trail is deserted. The bivouac is unfortunately forbidden but the welcome in the campsites perfect.
My advice: download the Crozon Tour app. Very easy to use, it lists all the information needed to organize your stay on the peninsula, activities, visits, accommodation, restaurants, transport, weather ...
The white lake in Chamonix
Itinerary: Lac Blanc
Location: Chamonix
Duration: half a day
Difficulty: average (simple for the most experienced)
The Lac Blanc hike is one of the most beautiful (and best known) in Chamonix, located on the Aiguilles Rouges massif. Why ? Because all the way, you can contemplate Mont Blanc! The departure is from Chamonix, the cable car Flégère (come very early, before opening, if you do not want to hit you 1:30 tail ...). Once arrived at the top, a walk of approximately 1h45 awaits you (count instead 2h or 2h30 if you are fans of photo because the panoramas will make you stop every 5 minutes.), With a positive elevation of 475m over 4 kilometers approximately . The climb (and descent), on rocky road, is rather simple for the good walkers but becomes long for less seasoned (my son of 5 years was tired at the end). Throughout the journey, admire the Mont Blanc, the Aiguille verte or several glaciers (almost all melted ...) and breathtaking panoramas. Plan on water and cap because there is no shade! The only refueling will be at the Lac Blanc refuge, located at 2,352 meters above sea level.
Last tip: the last return of the cable car is at 17h ... so be on time or you will have to add 1000m of altitude to go down on foot! In short this hike done this summer remains to this day one of the most beautiful that I could achieve!
The loop of 4 lakes and eagle's peak (Frasnois region)
Itinerary: Loop of 4 lakes and eagle's peak
Location: Frasnois Region
Duration: about 4 hours
Distance: 14 km
Difficulty: average
From the La Fromagerie hamlet car park, this 14km circuit of medium difficulty plunges us into the heart of a region where fir forests stand alongside lakes of unreal colors. Here, one can easily understand why this region has inherited the sweet nickname of 'Little Scotland'.
After several kilometers along the lakes of small and large Maclus, the trail continues in the forest. The overhanging view is striking! One can at leisure marvel at the color palette that presents itself before us.
But the highlight of this hike is at the Belvedere, the peak of the eagle. The 360 ° panorama is spectacular. In good weather, when the sky is clear it is even possible to see the Alps and Mont Blanc.
This circuit is feasible in 4h or less for good walkers. But if this loop seems too difficult, know that there are other hikes of varying duration and difficulty in the region.
Finally, if I had only one tip to give you, even if this region is beautiful in any season, it is definitely in autumn that it reveals the best of itself even when the forest is adorned with its flamboyant coat .
The Pra refuge | Region of Belledonne
Itinerary: Refuge de la Pra, passing the Oursière Waterfall and discovering three lakes
Location: Belledonne Region
Duration: about 7 hours
Distance: about 15 km
Difficulty: Difficult
The Belledonne region is very often associated with its mountain lakes, reputed to be among the most beautiful. The height, the freshness, and the magnificent water points. But how to choose? So many names that make you dream, and only one day to enjoy. A route then attracted our attention: Refuge Pra, passing the Cascade of the Oursière and discovering three lakes.
The departure is on the road to Chamrousse, 40 minutes from Grenoble (parking "La Gafe"). The site indicates a difficult hike, a route comprising 1270 meters of unevenness; 7h00 walk for fifteen kilometers. Being good hikers, we are not worried. We leave early in the morning to avoid the summer heat and discover with joy the magnificent Cascade de l'Oursière. It is cool, the break is pleasant. We resume our journey, and after the painful ascent of scree in full sun, we finally arrive on the high plateaus. The landscapes are breathtaking as far as Refuge de la Pra.
It is past noon, we enjoy a well-deserved meal (there is a small snack at the shelter, they do not take the CB), and take what we believe to be the way back. We have the joy of seeing succeeding three lakes, Claret, Longet and Léama, all as beautiful as each other. But the multiple ascents-descents are grueling, it's hot, and we have a time constraint ... Finally, the hike was more trying, but far beyond our expectations and remains one of my finest.
NB: it is possible to go to the Refuge de la Pra through Lake Crozet, which is also worth it!
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