Top 10 Best Places to Hike in Paris

A magnificent 25,000-hectare ancient forest just 55km south of Paris, famous for its dramatic sandstone boulders, diverse ecosystems, and world-renowned rock climbing. The forest offers over 300km of marked trails through oak, beech, and pine woodlands.

Paris's western lung, this 846-hectare park offers tranquil walking paths around lakes, through gardens, and along wooded trails. Originally a royal hunting ground, it now features the stunning Bagatelle rose garden, boating lakes, and winding nature trails.

Paris's most dramatic urban park, featuring artificial cliffs, a 30-meter waterfall, a suspension bridge, and a temple perched atop a rocky island. The hilly terrain provides an excellent urban hiking workout with stunning views across northeastern Paris.

Paris's largest public park at 995 hectares, offering extensive trail networks, four lakes, the historic Vincennes Castle, a Buddhist temple, and the Paris Zoo. The diverse landscapes provide hours of exploration opportunities.

The world's first elevated park built on a former railway line, predating New York's High Line. This 4.7km linear park runs from Bastille to Bois de Vincennes, passing through tunnels, over viaducts, and through charming neighborhoods.

A challenging urban hike through Paris's most bohemian neighborhood, climbing steep streets and staircases to reach Sacré-Coeur basilica. The walk rewards hikers with the city's best panoramic views and charming village atmosphere.

A classic Parisian walk along the UNESCO-listed Seine riverbanks, passing iconic landmarks from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower. The recently pedestrianized sections offer car-free walking with pop-up cafes and floating gardens.

The quintessential Parisian garden, offering 23 hectares of formal French gardens, shaded pathways, the Medici Fountain, and an English garden section. Perfect for a leisurely stroll with chess players, joggers, and families enjoying the elegant surroundings.

The legendary 800-hectare gardens and park of Versailles offer everything from formal parterre walks to wild woodland trails around the Grand Canal. Beyond the famous fountains, explore Marie Antoinette's hamlet and the romantic English garden.

A 3,500-hectare royal forest just 20km west of Paris, offering well-maintained trails through ancient oak and beech groves. The Grande Terrasse designed by Le Nôtre provides spectacular views of Paris and the Seine Valley.

Sections of Paris's abandoned 19th-century circular railway continue to open as green walking paths. The 2026 expansion connects more neighborhoods through this urban wilderness, where nature has reclaimed the old tracks and tunnels.

Enhanced for the 2024 Olympics and now fully mature, this 415-hectare park in Seine-Saint-Denis offers improved trails through lakes, meadows, and woodlands. New facilities and better connections make it more accessible than ever.

The extended Marne River trail now offers continuous walking and cycling paths from Paris to Meaux. The 2026 improvements include better waymarking, rest areas, and connections to charming riverside villages.

Spring transforms Monet's legendary gardens into an impressionist masterpiece of tulips, wisteria, and emerging water lilies. Combine a garden visit with walks through the surrounding Norman countryside along the Seine Valley.

The 31-hectare botanical garden in Bois de Vincennes explodes with color in spring, featuring over 3,000 plant species. The walking paths wind through themed gardens, rhododendron valleys, and iris collections at their peak.

The dense forest canopy of Fontainebleau provides welcome relief from Paris summer heat. The shaded trails through ancient trees remain cool even on hot days, with sandy paths and streams adding to the refreshing atmosphere.

Summer evenings bring Parisians to the shaded banks of Canal Saint-Martin for leisurely walks along the tree-lined waterway. The locks, iron footbridges, and waterside cafes create a magical atmosphere as the sun sets.

Autumn transforms Fontainebleau into a golden wonderland as oak, beech, and birch trees display their finest colors. October and November offer ideal hiking weather with clear skies and a spectacular carpet of fallen leaves.

This protected regional park south of Paris offers rolling hills, medieval villages, and castle ruins surrounded by autumn forests. The diverse trails through the valley provide perfect fall hiking with châteaux and charming villages.

The Bois de Boulogne reveals a different beauty in winter with bare trees creating dramatic silhouettes against gray skies. The walking paths remain accessible, and the lack of foliage opens up new views of lakes and architectural follies.

The Tuileries Garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde offers elegant winter walking with bare geometric trees and classical statues. Winter light creates beautiful shadows, and the famous Christmas market adds festive charm.