Châteauneuf-Grasse walks

This long hike, mainly through woodland, starts in the charming village of Valbonne and takes you to the small wild valley of Bruguet (dry in summer). After a long stretch of heathland, you will follow the Brague, a small river that can be devastating (see the floods of October 2015) flowing through an almost virgin forest. At the beginning of the season, swimming is possible in a few spots. Moderator's note: there are a few difficulties on this hike; see the comments at the bottom of this page

This short hike starting from the Domaine des Courmettes will take you to one of the main 360° viewpoints between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour mountains.

This is a large loop that goes around one of the first foothills of the Pré-Alpes d'Azur, following old paths and the Gorges de la Siagne. The loop is long but mostly flat, except for the descent to Cabris and the very steep climb back up to Saint-Vallier. The villages offer views and shops for refreshments. It is recommended to start early, as the second third of the hike will be sheltered from the southern sun, but the hardest part is exposed. There are few alternative routes or shortcuts once you are in the gorges between Saint-Cézaire and Saint-Vallier.

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!

A magnificent hike to the top of the baous, overlooking Vence and Saint-Jeannet. You will pass through karst landscapes and heathland flora. The panoramic views of the sea and mountains are breathtaking.

This is a well-known and popular circular route, best done when the mimosa is in bloom between January and March. The route is clearly marked with abundant, easy-to-read yellow signs, so it is impossible to get lost. The route alternates between shady valleys and ridges illuminated by mimosa trees. However, it should be avoided after heavy rain as there are several fords to cross. It is a relatively long hike but accessible to most walkers.

Panoramic hike to discover the remains of the past.

Starting from the charming village of Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, you will explore the Siagne Gorges. On the programme: - descent to the Saint-Saturnin Chapel, - walk along the Siagne canal, - crossing the splendid Pont des Gabres (or Pont des Tuves, depending on which bank you are on), - climb back up this wild river with its crystal-clear waters and return to the village for a lovely view of this beautiful valley.

Another route providing access to the ruins of Castellaras and Lac de Thorenc follows part of the existing circuit on Visorando. It starts from the D5, at a place called La Pinée, and is just as interesting. I have classified this route as difficult due to its orientation and length. It is advisable to bring a suitable tool for this route.

A double loop in a landscape combining heath, karst plateau and numerous dry stone terraces. The climb up the two baous offers exceptional views of the coastline from Cap Ferrat to Cap d'Antibes... not to mention the view of the hinterland from the Baou de Saint-Jeannet with the Saint-Barnabé plateau, the Cherion Massif and the peaks of the Mercantour between the Argentera and Mont Bégo. Return via the Plateau du Baou, where you can discover two drystone shelters.

An easy hike in spring or autumn. At the top of the Baou, there is a magnificent view of the French Riviera with a very accurate orientation table to identify the points along the coast and the surrounding peaks.

A beautiful walk along the Siagne, through the woods, with some lovely surprises in store: the Tuve bridge and its waterfall, a beautiful little beach, numerous ruins that bear witness to a major agricultural activity in the past, and a forest of centuries-old oaks that is nothing short of fairytale forest. In short, it's the perfect tour for nature lovers and those who enjoy a refreshing swim.

Easy circular hike leaving from Rague port. The hike starts by climbing up towards Mont Thurney at the entrance to the Estérel, then going downhill through a dry valley then a forest (eucalyptus and then pine trees) before reaching San Peyre and its 360° orientation table (panoramic view over the Îles de Lérins, Cannes bay and the Mercantour). Go down through Napoule and then take the coastal path alongside the château until you reach Raguette and Rague beaches.

A superb hike in the Grasse hinterland. On the agenda: megaliths, magnificent views of the entire coast (on a clear day) and, to finish, a superb waterfall in an exceptional setting.

A lovely walk on the coastal path of the Cap d'Antibes. Very well laid-out, it offers superb views of the Antibes coast as well as a few architectural masterpieces such as the Château de la Croé and the Villa Eilenroc.

This hike at the gateway to the Estérel towards the Pointes de l'Esquillon and de l'Aiguille offers a varied programme: it starts among the mimosas, passes by the Notre-Dame-d'Afrique memorial and then near the Palais Bulles (by Pierre Cardin). View of the coastline above the Pointe de l'Esquillon, climb back up through the eucalyptus trees before descending towards the Gulf of La Napoule at the Pointe de l'Aiguille and returning to Théoule via the beach of the same name.

A magnificent view of the Esterel mountains, then the bay of Théoule, Mandelieu and Cannes.

This circular hike starting from the Col du Testanier will first take you to the edge of Lac de l'Avellan before an easy climb to the Col du Logis de Paris. Next, a challenging climb along little-used paths will take you to a ridge at the foot of Mont Vinaigre. The climb to the summit, the highest point in the Estérel, will reward your efforts with a magnificent 360° panorama from Mercantour to Saint-Tropez and from Vintimille to Sainte-Victoire!

This is a short circuit which, at its highest point, offers a panoramic view from Cannes to Fréjus with a view of the sea.

This is an easy hike in winter when the weather is good, with superb panoramic views from Mont Aigre over Fréjus Bay, the Estérel, the sea and the snow-capped Mercantour.

Gilette and La Clue. From the village of Gillette, perched on a rocky outcrop, this walk takes you to the medieval bridge of La Cerise (scenes from the film "The Hunchback" were shot here in 1997) and then winds through the Estéron gorges.

At this site of sad memory, this loop allows you to see the remains and ruins of this structure, which was destroyed in a matter of minutes on 2 December 1959.