Hike from Mont Blanc, with its immense south face, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte d’Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the Mediterranean. Our first hike brings breathtaking views of Mont Blanc (15,770') from a high ridge. Heading south, we follow trails through age-old villages and alpine meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentians bloom. Farther south, we follow the legendary GR5 trail across remote national parks, then enter brightly colored hill villages that announce the Mediterranean is near. Contouring the GR5 trail across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, we arrive on the coast and head for a celebratory dip in the sea. Our unique French adventure has been featured as one of Outside magazine’s “Trips of a Lifetime.”
Arrive: Megève
Depart: Nice
Amid the splendor of the French Alps, we hike up to Mont Joly for spectacular views of snow-capped Mont Blanc and all its southern satellites, then cross the Col du Bresson below Mont Blanc’s south-facing flanks.
Entering the Vanoise, our trails lead above treeline with views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road leads us beneath the granite peaks of the Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with three alpine lakes along the way. One of our hikes is in the Vallée Etroite, a remote Italian-speaking valley.
We enjoy a day to explore Briançon, a pretty town with a strong medieval character, or take an optional day hike in the surrounding mountains. In Queyras, one of the most untouched areas of France, we hike across emerald meadows to the Col Cross, where Corsican mouflon sheep roam.
Auron, the gateway to Mercantour National Park, is one of the Southern Alps’ largest ski resorts and in the summer offers many wonderful hiking options. We follow the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, then head to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Depart on Day 14 via Nice.
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
"I loved everything about the trip and just wish it could have lasted longer. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful."
Carrie M.
Boise, ID
"I loved it all. A great hike with extraordinary views, great company, delicious meals, cozy inns, and dramatic scenery changes. To end with a swim in the Mediterranean was perfection!"
Cathy C.
Sonoma, CA
"Another spectacular WT adventure!"
Christina S.
San Francisco, CA
"I’ll be doing more of these trips!"
Deborah C.
Santa Monica, CA
"The variety in scenery from day to day was wonderful. There was always something new to see!"
Elizabeth M.
Long Beach, NY
"What a grand adventure! We loved the varied terrain, the hikes, and our fantastic guides."
Ellen Q.
Irvine, CA
"This was the best world trip we have experienced in 25 years of travel—a truly great French Alps experience!"
George P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was an ideal vacation for my wife and me: being in the mountains all day, at the peak of wildflower season, with two guides who were both knowledgeable and fun to be with, having a good hotel at night, and great French food in the evenings."
Guy A.
Woodacre, CA
"A trip I would highly recommend!"
Helen F.
Clancy, MT
"This trip was a wonderful blend of beautiful alpine scenery, great outdoor exercise, charming towns, and interesting foods. Each day was a treat, and our guide worked in special stops on the days we had to drive longer distances (like for cappucino in Italy!)."
Inge K.
Concord, MA
"Great trip! Excellent leaders and companions, food, scenery, and lodgings. Pretty much what we have come to expect from WT."
Larry A.
Golden, CO
"A superb trip with superb leaders."
Laura T.
Oakland, CA
"This is my second time on this trip! It’s a great hike."
Neil C.
Swampscot, MA
"We traveled to places that we would never have been able to see without the expertise of Wilderness Travel and the guides."
Penny A.
Los Angeles, CA
"A fabulous trip! Everything was terrific, really quite perfect!"
Randie B.
San Francisco, CA
"This was a very special trip. The variety of landscape, the length of time to feel like a real group of friends, variety of hotels and food—it was amazing."
Read P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was a great trip—I have zero complaints and would recommend it to any capable hiker."
Richard S.
Branford, CT
"This is the second time I’ve traveled with WT. I’m noting consistent high quality, excellent planning, excellent Trip Leaders, and nice clientele."
Teddie G.
Pocatello, ID
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