As summer ends, hikers know it: you have to be ready to make the most of the autumn landscapes. These unique colours that come just before winter arrives don't last long. Besides the beauty of the scenery, hiking in autumn has two advantages: cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. Two assets that will allow you to experience the mountains differently, in a calmer and more authentic atmosphere.
If you're wondering where to hike in October in France, here are 5 ideas:
The Vosges Traverse
The Vosges Traverse stretches 430 km from Wissembourg to Belfort. You can choose one of the stages of this route, for a day hike or a multi-day trip. You will discover the lakes and forests of the Vosges in autumn, particularly well-suited for an accessible autumn hike. At this time of year, they will give you the impression of being transported to Canada.
Do note, however, that autumn is a fleeting season in the Vosges; to enjoy the ochre colours of the forest, you need to go before the first snows arrive.
Passe Montagne team favourite: the «1 farm –1 hike» programme allows you to enjoy a hearty warm meal at a Vosges farmhouse after your hike.
The Grand Crossing of the Mercantour for autumn hiking
The Grand Crossing of the Mercantour connects the mountains to the sea. From Entraunes to Menton, you can explore the 220 km of the route (certainly over several trips). Depending on the path you choose in autumn, you can either admire the golden yellow of the larch trees against a blue sky, or, further south, enjoy the still-mild temperatures of the Mediterranean coast in the off-season.
An ideal route to experience a variety of atmospheres and landscapes on a single hike.
Passe Montagne team favourite: since 1992, the wolf has made its return to the Mercantour. Today there are thought to be over 500 wolves in the park. Take advantage of the absence of other hikers in autumn to track the wolf, searching for footprints or armed with your camera.
The Platé Desert
The Platé Desert, located in the Fiz massif in Haute-Savoie, is one of the largest limestone pavements in Europe. To discover it, you must go on foot. These limestone pavements are sculptures formed by glacier meltwater.
From this plateau, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the surrounding peaks, including the Mont-Blanc massif. If you hike from September to November in the Platé Desert, you will feel as though you have been transported to the Scottish Highlands, in a unique mineral environment.
Passe Montagne team favourite: until the end of September, you can sleep at the Platé refuge to reach the Platé Desert at first light.
The Stevenson Trail
The Stevenson Trail, or GR® 70, runs from Le Puy-en-Velay to Alès. Over 272 km, it crosses the volcanic plateaus of the Velay, the Gévaudan, the Lozère and the Cévennes.
This route takes its name from Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, who walked it in 1879. It was in autumn that he chose to follow this path. What better way to walk in his footsteps than to discover it at the same time of year?
As a bonus, you can enjoy the chestnuts and mushrooms you will find along the way, in a typically autumnal atmosphere in the mid-mountains.
Passe Montagne team favourite: hiking with the book Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, written by Stevenson during his journey.
The Gorges du Verdon
To experience the Gorges du Verdon from a different angle, hiking in autumn is the ideal season. Very popular in spring and summer, the Verdon regains a calmer, wilder atmosphere in October.
You will enjoy milder temperatures and easier access to this extraordinary natural site. Whether on the water by kayak or on land during a hike, the Gorges du Verdon will offer you a spectacle you won't soon forget.
Passe Montagne team favourite: discover the splendid village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, between the Grand Canyon du Verdon and the lavender route.
Tips for hiking in autumn
While the weather can be more unpredictable at this time of year, hiking in autumn is far from impossible. It is simply important to adapt your outing: check the forecasts up until the last moment, plan for shorter days and bring appropriate equipment.
Fog may also be present and reduce visibility, particularly in forests or at altitude. If conditions deteriorate, it is always best to adjust your route or turn back.
