Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures in Briançon

Fortified Streets, High Passes and Alpine Thresholds

‍A UNESCO-listed mountain town where long-distance routes, historic defences, and high alpine journeys converge.

Briançon is one of Europe’s highest historic towns and a pivotal destination for walking holidays and outdoor adventures in the French Alps. Located in the Upper Durance Valley, close to the Italian border, the town sits at a crossroads of long-distance trails, historic Alpine passes, and high-mountain landscapes shaped by centuries of movement.

For walkers, Briançon is both a destination and a gateway. The GR5 long-distance route passes directly through the town, linking it to the high Alps to the north and the southern ranges toward the Mediterranean. Fortified streets, citadels, and defensive walls rise directly above valley floors and trailheads, creating a rare setting where cultural heritage and mountain walking are inseparable.

Beyond walking, the surrounding terrain lends itself naturally to cycling holidays and wider outdoor adventures. Legendary Alpine cols radiate from the Upper Durance and neighbouring valleys. Hut-to-hut routes climb into high mountain basins, and seasonal conditions shape journeys in ways that reward careful planning and slower travel. With strong rail access and a growing range of independent places to stay, Briançon works well as a base, a staging point, or a meaningful stop on longer self-guided journeys.

Why Visit Briançon for Walking and Adventure

• Walk directly from a UNESCO-listed fortified old town onto long-distance alpine routes
• Join the GR5 as it crosses the French Alps between Chamonix and the Mediterranean coast.
• Explore historic passes linking France and Italy, including Montgenèvre
• Combine cultural walking with serious high-mountain hiking
• Base yourself in a rail-connected alpine town suitable for car-free travel
• Experience a rare blend of military heritage, pastoral landscapes, and open mountain terrain

Nearby Trails

GR5 — Briançon Section

‍Briançon is a key stage town on the Alpine section of the GR5, one of Europe’s great long-distance routes. Walkers pass through the town while travelling between Chamonix and Nice, using Briançon as a resupply point and transition between high Alpine regions.

Tour du Mont Thabor

‍A demanding multi-day circuit near the French–Italian border, offering sustained high-level walking, remote valleys, and classic alpine scenery.

Col de Montgenèvre Routes

‍Historic paths and modern walking routes crossing one of the Alps’ most important passes, used for centuries by traders, armies, and travellers moving between France and Italy.

Upper Durance Valley Walks

‍Lower-level routes connecting Briançon with nearby villages, forts, and rail-accessible valley paths, ideal for shorter or recovery walks.

Outdoor Adventures and Activities

• Long-distance walking on the GR5 and connected alpine routes
• High-mountain hiking with access to refuges and multi-day crossings
• Cycling journeys over classic Alpine cols and quiet mountain roads
• Cultural exploration of Vauban fortifications and historic military landscapes
• Trail running and mountaineering in surrounding high-altitude terrain
• Seasonal winter travel including snow-based routes and alpine movement

Explore the Area

• Briançon Old Town (Cité Vauban) — UNESCO-listed fortified streets and citadels
• Upper Durance Valley — Wide high-altitude basin linking valleys and passes
• Col de Montgenèvre — Historic border crossing between France and Italy
• Queyras Region — Traditional villages and quieter alpine walking nearby
• Serre Chevalier — Mountain terrain and high-level walking above the valley