The Fraisses du Malvan Route

From the A8 motorway coming from Nice, take the Cagnes-sur-Mer exit, then the slip road towards Vence and the Col de Vence. Park at the Plan des Noves car park, a few kilometres before the summit.

(S/E) At the far end of the car park, take the GR® 51 heading east. The path descends gently to reach the Plan des Noves plateau and marker 133.

(1) Turn left (still on the GR®51) onto the track heading due north for about 3 km, leaving marker 134 on your left. The track crosses large meadows that were once cultivated, joins the oak forest at Clos du Capelan, then becomes a simple footpath. At Pas de l’Escalier, it descends towards La Cagne, crosses it via the Vescagne footbridge and leads to marker 129.

(2) After the footbridge and this marker, the path winds its way uphill before reaching marker 139.

(3) Leave the GR®51 by turning left onto the path leading to the Piste de l'Aiglière and marker 140.

(4) Take the track on the left which descends straight towards the Cagnette, pass under the Bastide de Vescagne, then leave it by taking the path on your left to reach the riverbed.

(5) Cross the three pipes in the riverbed, then follow the path running alongside the Cagnes for about 700 m to the next ford.

(6) From there, follow the Cagne for 650 m to reach the Vescagne Waterfall.

(7) Then retrace your steps back to the fork.

(6) Cross the ford, then take the path that climbs steeply to the right towards the south-west, passing the remains of the old Vescagne mine, to reach marker 143 and the Route du Col de Vence.

(8) From the Garussière car park, head due south along the path overlooking the Col road, then veer slightly left at the riding club to join a track heading north-east. Follow this track to marker 144.

(9) Turn right onto the well-trodden path made by sheep, which descends due south towards the Col de Vence road and marker 138. Please note, this section is tricky for navigation: at Les Termes, several paths cross, so be sure to stay on the marked trail.

(10) At the Col de Vence, follow the road carefully for 300 m to the left towards the south, then take the path running parallel to the road on the right, just before the bend, for about 100 metres. Then, carefully cross the road again at the metal post located at the end of the low wall, on the other side, to rejoin the path. Continue along this path until you reach the Route du Col de Vence and marker 137.

(11) Cross the road carefully, then take the path on the left heading due east and then due south to reach marker 136.

(12) From this marker, turn left towards the north to reach the Plan des Noves car park (S/E).

Make sure you have good walking shoes and rainwear. There is no water on this route, apart from the Cagnes, which is not drinkable.

Important: avoid doing this hike in the event of a thunderstorm or high water in the Cagnes, as the river can rise rapidly and make the fords difficult to cross.

You can stock up on supplies in Vence.

Visit the educational farms La Cavetière and La Ferme d’Alain, and the Fort Apache equestrian centre.

The village of Cousegoules and the hamlet of Saint-Barnabé.

The Vescagne waterfall.