Overview
Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its perpetual glaciers, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte d’Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean. Setting off from Mont Blanc, we hike through age-old villages and in high alpine meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentian bloom. Heading south, we follow the legendary GR5 trail across remote national parks of singular beauty, then enter brightly colored hill villages that announce the Mediterranean is near. Arriving on the coast, we 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.”
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
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-3
Megève / Mont Blanc Massif
Amid the splendor of the French Alps, we hike up to Mont Joly for spectacular views of Mont Blanc then cross the Col de Bresson below Mont Blanc’s south-facing flanks.
Days 4-7
Vanoise National Park
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.
Days 8-10
Briançon / Queyras Regional Park
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.
Days 11-14
Auron / Mercantour National Park / Levens / Nice
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.
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean
Highlights
Highlights
Details
12 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 5-7 hours a day, altitudes between 6,000-9,400 feet, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day’s hike). This is a strenuous hiking trip, read “What the Trip is Like” for more details.
