By department
Best-equipped towns
- Grenoble 3
- Marseille 2
- Nice 2
- Ajaccio 2
- Annecy 2
- Clermont-Ferrand 2
- Brest 1
- Fort-de-France 1
- Saint-Étienne 1
Country-specific rules
FFRandonnée routes are waymarked in white and red for GR trails, yellow and red for GR de Pays and yellow for PR day walks. Standard marks show that the path continues, changes direction or that you are going the wrong way.
The FFRandonnée rates its walks on three criteria: effort, technical difficulty and risk. Some of its guidebooks show all three next to the route description.
The French cycling federation (FFC) and the French cycle touring federation (FFCT) have approved a shared difficulty grid for mountain bike routes, in four colours: green, blue, red and black. It takes account of distance, elevation gain, type of track and technical difficulty.
The core area of a national park has its own rules. In the Écrins National Park, for example, dogs are banned even on a lead, mountain bikes are only allowed where signposted, fires and drones are prohibited, and overnight bivouacs are only tolerated from 7 pm to 9 am, under conditions.
Good to know
- Pick a route that suits the least fit person in the group, checking distance, elevation gain, duration and difficulty on the official page.
- Check the weather before you leave and turn back if storms are forecast, especially in the mountains.
- Take all your rubbish home, including fruit peel and tissues.
Read the full guide: trailheads →
FAQ
How many trailheads are there in France?
Oukonjou lists 16 free-access ones, in 9 towns.
Where are the most trailheads in France?
The best-equipped towns are Grenoble (3), Marseille (2) and Nice (2).
How do I find the nearest trailhead?
Open the map, pick “Trailheads” and tap “Near me”: the list sorts by distance. Your position stays in your browser.
Do I need to book or pay?
No. Trailheads are free access. Read the official route page before you go (waymarking, duration, difficulty, weather).
Data updated on November 2, 2026