hut-to-hut hiking France: Your summer

✓ Balanced itinerary matched to availability
✓ Finding, booking and paying for the huts and refuges
✓ Half board in the huts, so breakfast and dinner for you
✓ Comprehensive hiking guide in the Bookatrekking App with everything you need
✓ Standby hiking advice from our experts

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most iconic mountain journeys in the world, circling the highest peak in Western Europe through France, Italy, and Switzerland. This legendary route showcases the very best of the Alps: sweeping valleys, high mountain passes, dramatic glacier views, and classic alpine villages. Each day brings a new perspective on the Mont Blanc massif, with trails that balance challenging climbs and rewarding panoramas. Whether you choose a short highlight trek, a classic full loop, or a more comfortable version with extra nights, the Tour du Mont Blanc combines world-class scenery, rich mountain culture, and well-maintained huts into an unforgettable hut-to-hut experience.

The Walker’s Haute Route is a legendary point-to-point trek that links two of the Alps’ most iconic mountain towns: Chamonix and Zermatt. Crossing high passes and dramatic valleys along the border of Switzerland and France, this route serves up a constant stream of alpine classics towering peaks, hanging glaciers, flower-filled meadows, and postcard villages. Each stage feels like a step deeper into the high mountains, with long-view ridgelines and well-earned descents into welcoming valleys. Whether you go all in on the full traverse or choose a shorter Swiss-side highlight, the Walker’s Haute Route delivers a true hut-to-hut journey with big scenery, strong mountain character, and a Matterhorn-worthy finish.

The GR20 slices through Corsica’s rugged spine and is widely regarded as one of the most demanding hut-to-hut treks in Europe. This legendary route crosses jagged ridges, wild granite terrain, and remote mountain landscapes where the trail often feels raw and untamed. Expect technical paths, big elevation changes, and basic mountain refuges that keep the experience pure and authentic. Whether you tackle the full traverse or focus on the northern or southern sections, the GR20 is a true test of endurance, skill, and determination rewarding serious hikers with unforgettable scenery and a deep sense of achievement.

Located near the Mediterranean, Mercantour National Park is one of France’s most underrated trekking regions. Here, rugged alpine peaks rise surprisingly close to the sea, creating a landscape of dramatic contrasts crystal-clear lakes, quiet valleys, and remote mountain trails that stay wonderfully uncrowded. One of the great highlights is the Vallée des Merveilles, home to ancient rock carvings that add a rare cultural layer to the hiking experience. Whether you choose a full week in the park, a classic hut-to-hut route, or a shorter “Petit” version, Mercantour is all about discovery: peaceful paths, raw nature, and the kind of silence that makes you truly switch off.

Nestled near the French-Italian border, the Tour du Mont Thabor is a quiet alpine gem that trades crowds for calm, without skimping on scenery. Think tranquil meadows, rocky mountain passes, and glassy lakes that appear just when you think the trail can’t get prettier. The stages are generally manageable, the huts are welcoming, and the overall vibe is relaxed perfect for hikers who want an off-the-radar hut-to-hut trek with classic mountain views. Whether you choose a short express version, a moderate week, or a family-friendly Clarée Valley option, the Tour du Mont Thabor delivers a refreshing mix of nature, silence, and gentle adventure.

Our Top 3 Favorite Hut-to-Hut Treks in France

France has some of Europe’s most diverse hut-to-hut trekking from iconic Alpine classics to quiet, off-the-radar national parks and raw long-distance challenges. If we had to pick just three favourites from the routes we’ve shared, these are the ones that capture the full range: one world-famous Alpine journey, one peaceful hidden gem, and one legendary endurance test. Together, they show exactly why hut-to-hut trekking in France is so special.