Choose a spring hike in Provence - Hike and More Travel

January 22, 2025. By Stuart Sommers

It’s January, and the perfect time to plan for a spring walking holiday in Provence. Though each season in Provence has its charms, Spring is my favorite time, and possibly the best season to enjoy its magnificent walking trails. Below we’ve listed our top 5 reasons to embark on a hiking vacation in Provence this spring. With us at Hike & More!

1) WILDFLOWERS

Spring comes early in Provence. After a short winter, spring is when the hills of Provence are blanketed by colorful wildflowers. Almond trees are generally the first promise of spring, their honey-sweet flowers, yellow and pink, bewitching passersby as early as February. Aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary and winter savory display their tiny flowers in spring, from white to pink to purple, visible along paths and in gardens. Farmers’ fields are filled with lush red poppies, so much so you’d swear they were planted, transforming landscapes into paintings. On open garrigue vegetation, the delicate pink cistus flowers bloom, often in areas once struck by forest fires. Fluorescent pink or red valerian flowers grace dry-stone walls. I have a particular affection for cherry blossoms in April: white flowers filling the orchards at the foot of Mont Ventoux, and around the hilltop village of Vénasque. Later in the spring, fluorescent yellow Spanish broom fills the air with a musky scent.

And all of these flowers rush to bloom in spring, before the warm, sunny months of summer put a stop to growth.

2) FEWER TRAVELLERS – YOU’LL FEEL LIKE A LOCAL

There is room for everyone in Provence, especially along its trails. But during the months of April and May, even the busiest parts of Provence are relatively quiet. Accommodations and restaurants are wakening from a winter slumber. Bistros and cafés are frequented by locals, and you’ll have a more authentic experience. The hilltop villages are all but empty, and you can discover them in their medieval light, strolling alone through the cobbled streets.

3) FAVOURABLE WEATHER

Yes, you can have an occasional downpour in April and May… and no, it never really lasts all day. As I celebrate over 20 years in Provence, primarily as a guide, I’ve probably only had a handful of weather-related cancellations… in over two decades! In the spring you can generally expect mild weather, sunny days, and the perfect conditions for hiking.

4) LONG DAYS

Good weather is coupled with long days in April and May. It doesn’t get dark until after 8:00pm in April, and even later in May. You won’t have to rush to get ready for the day’s hike: it never gets too hot. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the trails, stop for lengthy pauses to take pictures, wine-tasting, strolling through villages along the way. You can enjoy the sunset at a local bistro for dinner.

5) AVAILABILITY!

While many of our accommodations are full during the middle of the summer, the “off-season” is generally easier to book, and with more affordable prices! Guides are also easier to find, and restaurants always have room.

Let us know if we can help build your spring hiking trip in Provence. Most of our tours are custom-built, and we often start off with a phone call to chat about the details. Looking forward to seeing you in Provence this spring?

Niveau Level	Français	Anglais
Loisir Leisure	Je suis peut-être novice en matière de randonnée, mais je suis en bonne santé et je suis capable d’être physiquement actif jusqu’à 4 heures par jour. J’emprunterai des chemins et des sentiers bien entretenus et peu difficiles à emprunter, mais je suis conscient que les chemins peuvent être accidentés et rocailleux. Il n’y a pas d’escalade. Les randonnées peuvent atteindre une longueur de 12 km et le dénivelé total est généralement inférieur à 300 mètres.	I may be new to hiking, but I’m in good overall health, and am able to be physically active for up to 4 hours a day. I’ll be taking well-worn paths and tracks with little difficulty underfoot, but understand that paths can be uneven and rocky. There is no scrambling involved. Hikes can be up to 12km in length, and generally less than 300m of total elevation gain.
Sportif Sporty	Je suis un randonneur régulier et j’ai une bonne condition physique générale. Les chemins escarpés ne me dérangent pas et j’ai un bon équilibre. Il se peut que je sois amené à utiliser mes mains à quelques reprises, mais je n’ai pas besoin de faire de l’escalade. Je suis capable de randonner pendant 5 heures par jour. Les randonnées peuvent atteindre une longueur de 15 km et le dénivelé total est généralement inférieur à 600 mètres.	I am a regular hiker and have good overall fitness. I don’t mind taking steep paths, and have good balance. There may be a few paces where I’ll need to use my hands, but no real scrambling involved. I am able to hike for 5 hours in a day. Hikes can be up to 15km in length, and generally less than 600m of total elevation gain.
Expert Challenging	Venez avec nous ! Je suis un randonneur chevronné et je peux emprunter toutes sortes de chemins et de terrains. Je suis capable de marcher plus de 6 heures par jour. Les randonnées peuvent faire plus de 18 km de long et plus de 600 m de dénivelé par jour	Bring in on! I am a seasoned hiker and can take on all kinds of paths and terrain. Scrambling is fun. I am able to hike for more than 6 hours per day. Hikes can be over 18km in length, and more than 600m of altitude gain per day

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