Baoux des Blancs et des Noirs via the chemin du Riou

This walk begins with a stroll along the peaceful Chemin du Riou, a balcony overlooking the Pays Vençois, then climbs up to the two cliff promontories, taking in a wide panorama from Nice to Théoule, and perhaps even a glimpse of Corsica!

Technical sheet

47173912
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 357 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 359 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 730 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 413 m

Description of the walk

From Vence, take the M2 road towards Col de Vence. Turn right at Les Templiers and park a few hundred metres further on Chemin du Riou, where a few parking spaces are available.

(S/E) Continue on Chemin du Riou to reach the Y junction at a power line.

(1) Stay on this road, ignoring all right- and left-hand turn-offs. Pass a cistern and reach the crossroads at signpost 122.

(2) Make a nearly 180° left turn onto a small path that rises into the undergrowth. After passing a hairpin bend, cross the track and continue up the path to reach the crossroads at signpost 123.

(3) Turn left to reach the summit of Baou des Noirs.

(4) Return to the previous crossroads by following the same path in the opposite direction.

(3) Head slightly uphill on the hillside, overlooking the wild Vallon de l'Abey, to reach signpost 124.

(5) Turn left downhill, quickly reaching the crossroads at signpost 125.

(6) Go downhill again to the left, pass under the high-voltage power line and continue due south, south-west to reach the crossroads of a small path.

(7) Go left, passing a few ruins, then reach a plateau with a public bench at the top of Baou des Blancs.

(8Return to the previous crossroads by following the same path in the opposite direction.

(7Take the steep downhill path on the left to reach the M2 at a car park.

(9) Turn left with extreme caution (see Practical info). Continue along the Château de Saint-Martin, once past it, find a small path on your right, just before the left-hand bend.

(10) Turn right onto this path to cross the bend in the road. Cross the road with care, then turn left onto Chemin du Riou to return to the parking (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 417 m - Car park on chemin du Riou
  2. 1 : km 2.09 - alt. 419 m - Power line
  3. 2 : km 3.08 - alt. 427 m - Beacon 122
  4. 3 : km 3.96 - alt. 648 m - Beacon 123
  5. 4 : km 4.16 - alt. 669 m - Baou des Noirs
  6. 5 : km 5.64 - alt. 725 m - Marker 124
  7. 6 : km 6 - alt. 668 m - Beacon 125
  8. 7 : km 6.7 - alt. 628 m - Crossroads towards Baou des Blancs
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 664 m - Baou des Blancs (673m)
  10. 9 : km 7.59 - alt. 472 m - M2. Close to the - Lubiane (rivière)
  11. 10 : km 8 - alt. 447 m - Shortcut to chemin du Riou
  12. S/E : km 8.36 - alt. 415 m - Parking du chemin du Riou

Practical information

No water on the way, and little shade except at the very start of the path (sign 122).
Hiking boots are recommended, especially for the descent where the path is not really maintained.
Between (9) and (10) this section of road requires caution, especially with children or animals, as there is no specific space for pedestrians.

  • Note: the 3h40 recorded by the app includes some 20 minutes spent picking asparagus at Baou des Noirs.

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
pioupette
pioupette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Circuit des baoux des blancs the end of the hike is very steep and tricky, and badly signposted

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Lucky-06
Lucky-06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very precise description.
Favour the Baou des Noirs, which is a prettier part of the walk than the Baou des Blancs (which does, however, offer a bench and a view over Vence).

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Laurence du Béal
Laurence du Béal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A lovely afternoon hike, completed in 2 hours 30 minutes.
The descent, announced as steep, is really very steep and very gullied.
A bit too much road for my taste, but you have to make a loop.

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Valeriya07
Valeriya07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The hike was great, with magnificent scenery. The only difficulties were the climb at the beginning, which was quite tiring and long, and the descent at the end, which was quite vertical but easy to do even if you're a beginner/amateur like me. Otherwise it was very beautiful (watch out for the son-in-law! ☝️⚠️)

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maryline2008
maryline2008

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a very nice hike with very few visitors. I found it quite difficult, as the positive difference in altitude is almost all in one go and the final descent is very sporty and slippery. On the other hand, the views are magnificent. Right from the start, I was carried away by the enchanting scents of fig trees, followed by the scents of pine trees and maquis.

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plcl
plcl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The end of the route is tricky, so take care as it's quite steep. This is the only difficulty.

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levieuxrandonneur
levieuxrandonneur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb views of the coastline and hinterland throughout the route. Lots of flowers.
Marker 122 is easy to find if you follow the Riou path to where it passes between 2 large rocks: the marker is shortly afterwards.
Access to the two baoux is rather stony and rocky.
The short cut after the Château Saint-Martin is not very interesting.
A superb walk

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