Plateau Saint-Michel circular route

This short circular hike starting from Plateau Saint-Michel will take you along paths overlooking Cap Ferrat and the Mediterranean.

Despite the very modest distance, do not underestimate the difficulty of this hike on slippery and stony paths.

Please note that the proposed route crosses a road, the Moyenne Corniche (RM 6007). This is a dangerous passage that must be taken with the utmost caution.

Details

1922983
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 193 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 193 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 386 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 193 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the "panoramic car park" on Avenue Olivula.

(S/E) Start the hike by following the path that starts to the right of the viewpoint. Pass the playground and arrive at asecond viewpoint just above a small road.

Yellow markings

Go down the road via the nearby steps, pass the bend and then follow the steps that descend to the left below the road. An old sign indicating a temporary closure may cause you to hesitate, but the path is open.

The view of Villefranche Harbour and Cap Ferrat is exceptional. On the heights above the harbour, you will see the magnificent Villa Leopolda estate, one of the most expensive in the world!

At the next intersection, stay on the path that descends to the right.

After a few minutes, you will quickly reach the Moyenne Corniche, the RM 6007.

(1) Cross the road with caution (start with one person alone, who will then have better visibility on the other side of the road to help the other members of the group).

Descend a few metres to the right to find a signpost indicating the path down to Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Shortly afterwards, negotiate a slightly tricky passage near a recently fallen pine tree.

After a few hairpin bends, you will arrive at marker 666.
From this intersection, you can descend to Beaulieu-sur-Mer by following the path that continues straight ahead. A circular route through the flower-filled villas and up some steps is marked with yellow markings and will take you back to this intersection.

(2) Head back up to the left towards the Chapelle Saint-Grat.
The path, in a narrow valley at the foot of an "unsecured cliff", is quite steep and has large steps. Not easy for children...

Once at the chapel, go up the road on the left.

(3) Just before the right-hand bend, marker 673 indicates the direction to follow on the left to return to the Plateau de la Justice.
Then cross the road, following the signposts straight ahead, and walk along the road for a few metres.

No signposts

Just after the Saint-Michel hotel, enter the park on the left to reach the orientation table.
The car park is on the right, about 20 metres from this viewpoint. (A/D).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 386 m - Panoramic car park
  2. 1 : km 0.78 - alt. 257 m - Crossing the RM 6007
  3. 2 : km 1 - alt. 193 m - Marker 667, towards Chapelle Saint-Grat
  4. 3 : km 1.6 - alt. 315 m - Marker 673
  5. S/E : km 2.26 - alt. 386 m - Panoramic car park

Notes

Please note that at (1) you will need to cross a busy road.

Avoid hiking in hot weather as the route is mainly south-facing on a rocky slope.

Wear sturdy shoes to avoid slipping on these very rocky trails.

1 litre of water per person will not be superfluous!

Worth a visit

This panoramic hike is exceptional for its views of Cap Ferrat and the Bay of Villefranche.

At (2), you can extend your hike to Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Jerome06000
Jerome06000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike for a 2-hour walk.
Breathtaking views of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Cap-Jean and Cap Ferrat.
Highly recommended.

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Picson06230
Picson06230
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As indicated in the note, good footwear is necessary, particularly on the downhill section, which is uneven.
Be careful with children, as they may fall.
In the late afternoon, fog can roll in and quickly obscure the view. Otherwise, the sunset can be very beautiful.

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Jean-Paul M3.
Jean-Paul M3.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful little hike today with breathtaking views.
No real difficulty. Of course, the uphill path can be daunting, but it's safe if you watch your step. Obviously, you shouldn't do this route in flip-flops in August, and it's best to avoid taking children or people who are prone to vertigo or who are unsteady on their feet.

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BOMEL
BOMEL

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We didn't complete the entire route (slow people). Pleasant route with no difficulty.

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Lorelei05
Lorelei05

Thank you, Osiris
I have indeed recorded your other hikes in the region.
I was familiar with the ones at Cap Ferrat and Cap Martin, which I had already done and really enjoyed.
I'm going to try some others
I'm also looking forward to the one in Cap d'Ail.
Thank you, it's really great that you've prepared these routes for us.

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osiris130
osiris130 ★

Good evening, Lorelei,

Thank you for your very positive comment.

I have similar hikes in the area, but none shorter than two hours (Cap Ferrat, Cap Martin, Mont Bastide, Plateau de la Justice).

Perhaps one will be available in a few weeks' time near Cap d'Ail...

Feel free to take a look at my personal page or search the site by entering your desired duration!

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Lorelei05
Lorelei05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed this short hike, mainly because of the magnificent views it offers over Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Villefranche sur Mer. It's absolutely stunning.
It's mostly south-facing, so it gets quite warm – don't forget to bring a bottle of water!
Even though there are a lot of descents and then, inevitably, a lot of climbs, it's not difficult because it's not long.
Thank you for the route, I recommend it.
We loved it, so don't take it down. You warned us that the path was slippery and stony (yes, it's true, but it's fine, and I should point out that I'm not very athletic) and that the main attraction was the remarkable views of the Cap Ferrat peninsula, Saint-Jean and Beaulieu (and I can confirm that it really is fantastic), so people have all the information they need to decide whether or not to do it, depending on their interests.
=> For us, it was exactly the hike we were looking for.
I'm looking for similar "short" hikes (less than 2 hours) in the area. Does anyone have any information?
THANK YOU

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chisto06
chisto06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Unsecured passage under cliff. Do not linger on the 150m stretch due to risk of falling rocks.

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MISAV
MISAV

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Breathtaking views of St Jean Cap Ferrat, Villefranche and Beaulieu

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osiris130
osiris130 ★

Okay, I will raise awareness about this dangerous section.

And depending on the feedback we receive, we will consider removing it.

Have a good weekend.

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pavani
pavani

Can't we add more warnings or even remove it?

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osiris130
osiris130 ★

Hello Pavani,

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the hike.

The crossing of the moyenne corniche does indeed require caution. But it is still a marked PR trail.

As for the appeal of the hike, I can understand that it is not exceptional, but the views of the Cap Ferrat peninsula, Saint-Jean and Beaulieu are quite remarkable.

I hope you find something you like among the other hikes in the area or elsewhere with Visorando.

Best regards.

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bibi
bibi ★

Do you think the difficulty should be increased by one level?

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pavani
pavani

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Hello
I think this walk is dangerous (crossing the middle cliff) and, moreover, of no particular interest.

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