Circuit from the Saint-Michel Chapel to Coursegoules

Panoramic hike to discover the remains of the past.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 398 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 402 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,410 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,012 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the top of the village next to marker 12, small car park on the right as you go up.

(S) Head north-east, climb the paved path, join a road at a bend and continue climbing to the left. Follow a few wide hairpin bends and turn right at the fork. When you reach the Foussa stream, walk under the trees, follow the beautiful terraces and you will soon reach a spring.

(1) Leave the ruins of the Bastide de Viériou on your right and continue climbing up wide hairpin bends to reach the Baisse de Viéirou, where you will be rewarded with a splendid view (marker 145).

(2) From the marker, take the path on the left that climbs up the ridge, passing the pylon, but not before noting the ruins below on the left.
Descend slightly, pass the Col de Coursegoules and arrive at the ruined sheepfold of Font Rousse, which is on the right of the path (note the tree).

(3) Leave the main path and take the path that descends slightly to the left, arriving at the first hairpin bend (of 21).

(4) Descend to the left on the south side and come out onto a track. Take the descending track on the left and continue to the first bend on the right.

(5) Follow the path opposite, which leads to the Saint-Michel Chapel, passing above a beautiful spring.

(6) After going around the chapel, descend to the left on the well-marked trail, ignoring the paths descending to the left, and arrive at a track. Turn left, pass above Coursegoules and join the Foussa stream.

(7) Ford the stream and climb back up to quickly reach the village. Continue straight ahead on Rue de la Pourtette.

(8) Pass the town hall and, at the next fork, turn left onto Chemin du Colombier. Pass above the cemetery to go around it and reach the car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,052 m - Small car park at the top of the village
  2. 1 : km 1.11 - alt. 1,217 m - Source of the - Cagne (fleuve)
  3. 2 : km 1.93 - alt. 1,356 m - Baisse de Viériou (1357 m)
  4. 3 : km 3.51 - alt. 1,396 m - Ruined sheepfold at Font Rousse. After the - Col de Coursegoules (1382 m)
  5. 4 : km 3.71 - alt. 1,390 m - at the first hairpin bend, continue left
  6. 5 : km 5.03 - alt. 1,160 m - Leave the track and take the path opposite
  7. 6 : km 5.39 - alt. 1,133 m - Saint-Michel Chapel
  8. 7 : km 6.53 - alt. 1,013 m - Foussa stream, ford - Cagne (fleuve)
  9. 8 : km 6.67 - alt. 1,028 m - Rue de la Pourtette
  10. S/E : km 7.36 - alt. 1,052 m - Small car park at the top of the village

Notes

Bring water for the climb and wear hiking boots.
Yellow markings.

(2) Option to climb up to the right at the summit of Viérou if desired (650 m round trip).

Worth a visit

Visit the village of Coursegoules.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 52 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 4021734

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful course...!!!

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m.a.r.c
m.a.r.c

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

No comment.

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randonneurintrépide
randonneurintrépide

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, ending with the colours of autumn

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jaimelesmots
jaimelesmots

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is very pleasant and varied, with no particular difficulties. However, it is not recommended in hot weather, as there is little shade along much of the route. The climb to the ridge and the walk along it offer remarkable panoramic views. Although Saint-Michel Chapel is not open to visitors, the path that runs around it is superb, especially in September 2025, when the surrounding foliage sets the landscape ablaze with vibrant colours. The village of Coursegoules is also worth a visit for its authentic charm. The description of the hike is very good. And on the ridge, there are numerous cairns.

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Dominique Torre
Dominique Torre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is very pleasant, easy to follow and varied, which is nice. It is probably not recommended in very hot weather as there is little shade. The arrival on the ridge and the entire section along it offer beautiful views. Even if you can't go inside, the walk around the St Michel chapel is magnificent and recommended in October when the leaves on the surrounding trees are all colours. The village of Coursegoules is also worth a visit, even if the car park is above it.

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dleandri
dleandri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route. The descent is quite steep and uneven due to loose rocks. There is no shade on this descent, so it is best to do this route in spring or autumn.

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PierreLH
PierreLH
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike with a magical arrival at the top, discovering a 360-degree view of the Mercantour on one side and the Mediterranean on the other, truly magnificent.
Did it in February on a Sunday morning (for the second time), hardly anyone there either time, incredible view of the snow-covered Mercantour, we walked in the snow on the ridge but nothing too bad.
The path on the ridge is non-existent/impossible to find, but if you just walk straight ahead on the ridge, you can't go wrong, especially with a GPS app.
Truly a fantastic view all along the ridge in particular. Thank you for helping us discover this beautiful place!

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Emmanuel Nice
Emmanuel Nice

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed this route in the direction indicated and encountered no difficulties on the ascent or descent.
The path down to the Col de Coursegoule is not easy to find, but if you follow the GPS, it's perfect.
The flight of vultures at the Col de Coursegoule is a sight that alone makes the climb worthwhile.

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We've done it three times already and it's always just as beautiful. We went in the opposite direction and I recommend it. The hike is more enjoyable and the descent is less steep with the return trip to the summit of Viériou. 8.44 km with 482 m of elevation gain.

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mestrallet
mestrallet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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Marmotte06
Marmotte06

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route!
Personally, I would do it in the opposite direction to the one suggested because the descent via the 26 hairpin bends is really tough on the legs, with endless steps and rough terrain that's hard on old joints
The descent will be much cooler and probably less crowded at the chapel, which is beautifully surrounded by oak trees. Autumn is wonderful.

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jujan
jujan

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We go on this hike in the spring
It's very beautiful
When you arrive on the plateau, it's a bit difficult to find your way around
Luckily, the description is detailed, otherwise we might get lost
The ruins marked on the left were actually on the right..

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veridisqvo
veridisqvo

I'm leaving my review to recount my adventures, but I'll have to do this hike again to be able to rate it: on 15 March, not only did I hike in thick fog despite beautiful weather with blue skies and bright sunshine for the first 30 minutes, but I also didn't think about something that I shouldn't have because I'm a bit careless... the rain that had fallen heavily a few days earlier would have turned to snow at the altitude of the Viériou pass. As a result, it took me much longer than expected because the entire ridge was covered, and I was only able to follow the path with difficulty thanks to the GPX route and the footprints of hikers who had come before the last snowfall, but whose tracks were still visible. Of course, I could have simply turned back, but that wasn't the choice I made .

I can't wait to rediscover this route one day when I can see the views! And not have my shoes full of melted snow.

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sagitaire50
sagitaire50

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, cool weather, 8°C and sunny. Magnificent views to the south from Cap d'Antibes to Cap St. Jean Cap Ferrat and to the north over the snow-capped Mercantour mountain range amid white clouds. On the ridge, the trail lacks landmarks, but there are a few collapsed cairns to help you stay on track.
We had a snack at the summit after marker 145.
At this time of year, parking is available in the village, near the "Bistrot de Sophie", where we enjoyed the local cuisine made with fresh produce and pork from the family's own pigs. It is advisable to book in advance, even at this time of year.

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Henri Colomars
Henri Colomars

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and enjoyable hike, despite the cold (snow had fallen on the higher ground the night before).
Very pretty views.
Best done on a day with very good weather.
The detour to the summit of Vierrou is well worth the effort for the 360° view of the sea and mountains.
Please note: do not park in the small car park at marker 12, as this is a residential car park and it disturbs the residents. Two years ago, the village of Coursegoules built a car park for hikers near the cemetery, a little further away (closer to marker 13).

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