Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is France's most geographically dramatic region, combining the ancient volcanic landscapes of the Massif Central with the highest peaks in the Alps. Lyon, its capital, is consistently ranked among the world's great food cities and is the birthplace of cinema. The region spans skiing at Chamonix and the Trois Vallées, lakeside beauty at Annecy, Roman heritage in Lyon, the volcanic chains of the Auvergne, and one of Europe's finest hiking networks.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Tour du Mont Blanc — French Section
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2
Puy de Dôme via Chemin des Muletiers
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3
Grand Tour du Lac d'Annecy (Circuit du Lac)
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4
GR4 — Traversée des Volcans d'Auvergne
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5
Aiguille du Midi Summit Terraces
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6
Vercors Plateau — Gorges de la Bourne
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7
Massif des Écrins — Lac du Lauvitel
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8
Chartreuse Grand Som Circuit
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9
Puy de Sancy Circuit from Mont-Dore
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10
Gorges de l'Ardèche — Sentier de Découverte
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Hazard Avalanche Risk, Affected areas Haute-Savoie, Isère, Savoie — any alpine terrain above 1,500m in winter and spring, Advice Check the daily avalanche bulletin at meteofrance.com before any winter or spring alpine excursion. Carry an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel on backcountry routes. Stay on marked trails and follow posted warnings at ski resorts and trailheads.
Hazard: Hazard Rapid Mountain Weather Changes, Affected areas All alpine zones: Chamonix, Vercors, Chartreuse, Écrins, and Cantal peaks, Advice Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer above 2,000m. Descend ridgelines and exposed terrain by 13:00 if clouds are building. Always carry a waterproof layer and check meteofrance.com on the day of the hike. Lightning is the primary summer threat on open ridges.
Hazard: Hazard Altitude Sickness (AMS), Affected areas Trails and lifts above 3,000m, particularly the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) and high TMB sections, Advice Ascend gradually. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Do not push through symptoms at altitude. The Aiguille du Midi cable car ascends from 1,035m to 3,842m in under 20 minutes — spend time acclimatising at Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317m) mid-station before the upper section if sensitive to altitude.
Hazard: Hazard Flash Flooding in Gorges and River Valleys, Affected areas Gorges de l'Ardèche, Gorges de la Bourne (Vercors), and other canyon trails, Advice Check upstream weather forecasts even if local skies appear clear. Canyon floors can fill within minutes of distant rainfall. Never camp on canyon floors or narrow gravel bars. Heed all trail closure notices during periods of heavy rain or after storms.
Hazard: Hazard Sunburn and UV Exposure at Altitude, Affected areas All alpine trails above 2,000m; volcanic plateaus of Auvergne with limited shade, Advice UV radiation increases approximately 4% per 300m of elevation gain. Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen every two hours, cover arms and neck, and wear UV-protective sunglasses (category 3–4). Snow and glacier surfaces reflect UV radiation and intensify exposure significantly.