Coaraze walks

Ruins of the hamlet of Rocca Sparvièra ("Rock of the Sparrowhawks") perched at an altitude of 1,100 metres overlooking the Paillon Valley to the east and the Vésubie Gorges to the west. It is hard to believe that this hamlet, abandoned during the 17th century, once had up to 350 inhabitants and that this community had an administration, a seigniory, a notary, a priest... This hamlet is linked to the legend of Queen Jeanne.

Ascent to the "cursed" ruins of Rocca Sparviera. Shorter alternative to the ascent via Coaraze. An easy walk but very steep at the end. Not recommended with very young children.

A circular forest hike passing by the old Eguisse Mine, with a return trip to the Saint-Michel Chapel and the ruins of Rocca Sparvièra.

The ascent of Mont Férion from Levens offers a superb panorama of the coast and the peaks of the Estéron. When you reach the ridge, you will pass by the surprising Chapelle Saint-Michel-des-Cèdres in the heart of a small conifer forest. The summit offers views of the Paillons landscape and the peaks of the Mercantour between two trees.

A bucolic and informative stroll in the back country of Nice.

A pleasant walk with an (almost) even gradient. It has the advantage of being mostly shaded thanks to the leaves and conifers that line the path.It offers charming views of the coastline, the Var valley and the surrounding peaks of the Mercantour. It also offers a wide variety of landscapes.

A very beautiful walk in a wooded area, where you can discover a beautiful chapel with a glazed roof, the remains of an old mill, whose large wheel, once driven by water, can still be seen, and finally the Castel de Saint-Blaise, perched on its peak, offering a view of imposing and magnificent ruins.

This is a hike to enjoy during the Christmas period, starting from Lucéram, a magical medieval village famous for its 500 nativity scenes. The route crosses the Turini road several times, then passes through the Col de l'Orme before reaching the summit of Mont l'Ablé, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline and, with a little luck, Corsica, the Grassoises Pre-Alps and part of the Mercantour massif. From the summit of Mont Auri, the aerial view of the village of Lucéram is exceptional. The return journey takes you through the Ibac forest and behind the village.

During the ascent, enjoy beautiful views overlooking the village of Lucéram. The Roccanièra valley trail is not very busy. A succession of different vegetation types will accompany you throughout this humid valley with its steep edges.

Starting from the Col de Porte, a panoramic hike between the Vésubie Valley and the Paillons Valley offers a splendid view of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Mercantour mountain range.

This route crosses two villages in the hinterland, L'Escarène and Touët-de-l'Escarène, via rarely used paths. A fewancient ruins, the remains of forgotten terraces, a 360° view from the top of the Crête de la Scaletta and abundant wildlife. This hike is for experienced hikers. The Crête de la Scaletta is off-trail and the terraces between (11) and (12) form low walls that must be crossed. Sometimes you have to use your hands on the rock.

Stroll through the narrow streets and old bridges of L'Escarène. Cross the magnificent Paillon National Forest and stop at Berre-les-Alpes to admire the panoramic views and old buildings. The return journey takes you through the forest and its marlstone "canyons". The final path leads to the heart of L'Escarène.

A beautiful walk starting from the station in the charming village of Touët de l'Escarène around Mont Panard, mostly through undergrowth. After crossing the tracks of the Train des Merveilles, the route climbs up the left bank of the Ravin d'Estiou and winds clockwise around Mont Panard. Beautiful views of the Mercantour peaks, the rocks of Saint Sauveur and Mont Brec.

This pleasant route takes you along rarely used paths, past ancient ruins, the remains of forgotten terraces, refreshing streams, a 360° view from the top of the Scaletta ridge and abundant wildlife. This hike is for experienced hikers. The tour of the Scaletta ridge is off-trail and the terraces between points (6) and (7) form low walls that must be climbed over. You may need to use your hands on the rock.

A fairly easy circular with a variety of views over the Vésubie and Var valleys and far beyond...

Starting from the La Villette district, located 2 km west of Cros d'Utelle, on the border between the Var and Vésubie rivers, this very pleasant hike, ideal in spring or for getting back into exercise, offers breathtaking views of these two valleys and Mont Arpasse.

This short hike starting from the village of Saint-Blaise will take you to Castel, a 13th-century castle in ruins overlooking the entire Saint-Blaise valley with unobstructed views as far as Mont Vial.

From the village of Utelle, this hike leads to a fairly steep rocky outcrop. On a clear day, the Brec d'Utelle offers a 360° panorama from the Mercantour to the gulfs of the Côte d'Azur. This hike is almost entirely along theGR®5. Caution: footbridges and very tricky sections in the final ascent.

A short hike in the Nice hinterland offering beautiful views of the mountains and the coastline. A route that is not too steep and suitable for trail running.

A circular hike starting from the Col de Châteauneuf. Thanks to its dominant position, the trail allows you to discover the villages of Levens, Coaraze, Bendejun, Châteauneuf-Villevieille and Contes. The trail passes through both heath and sparse forest. The landscapes are varied and truly exotic. The profile of this hike is quite unusual: the total elevation gain is divided into two distinct sections.

A loop starting from Utelle, a charming village perched in the Vésubie Valley. The first part is wild and rocky on a ledge above the Vésubie, followed by a gentle climb through an amazing forest of terraced fields. The final climb, steeper up to the Crête de la Madone d'Utelle, offers a 360° view of the coastline, the Var Valley, the peaks of the Mercantour and the Nice hinterland. Finally, the descent offers numerous views of the village of Utelle.

This beautiful route, starting from La Gipasse, goes around Mont Inarte via Mont Cima. It offers views of the Var valley, the Estéron valley, Mont Vial, the peaks of the Mercantour and the Tourette-Levens valley.

A very beautiful and varied hike on the outskirts of Nice, with a less frequented first section on paved slanting street paths. The climb up the small pass of Saint-André offers magnificent 360° panoramic views. A bountiful natural environment in every season and a cultural heritage waiting to be discovered.

A pleasant forest walk near Tourette-Levens, following part of the GR®51, a section of one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

A few kilometres from Nice, Mont Chauve d'Aspremont and its neighbour Mont Chauve de Tourette offer magnificent views to the south: Nice, the Baie des Anges and the Mediterranean, but also to the north with the Alps and the Mercantour.

Starting from the charming village of Aspremont, this short but challenging round trip hike takes you up to Vieil Aspremont, the ruins of the old village abandoned in 1426.

Forgotten on its rocky ridge, the main attraction of this hike is a visit to Fort Charvet. But it is also an opportunity to imagine, for a few minutes, what it was like for the soldiers who were tasked with observing the Var and Tinée valleys at the end of the 18th century in order to protect against a possible Piedmontese invasion. Let us not forget that this area has been French since 1860.

From the start of this walk, a paved slanting street winds its way at the foot of the Rastel rock massif, offering magnificent views of the old medieval village of Peillon. The entire return trail between the villages of Peille and Peillon, on the western side of Rastel, is a delightful walk through wooded areas.

This beautiful circular starting from Peillon will take you to the summit of Le Rastel, offering you some beautiful views of the Alps during the ascent and, at the summit, a panorama stretching as far as Théoule. This route can also be done in the opposite direction.

This hike starts in the old hilltop village of Carros and takes you across the Monséguise plateau with its thousand clapiers (piles of stones) to the Baou de la Gaude, which offers exceptional views of Nice, the coastline and the Estérel.The return journey along the canal is just as interesting, overlooking the Var valley for over 2 km.

A short hike near Nice, above the old town of Carros. Breathtaking views of the Var valley and the Baie des Anges.

A very beautiful hike with a variety of trails and vegetation, enhanced by a village classified as a historical monument to discover. Take into account the practical information mentioned in the description regarding the period and the off-trail section. ⚠️ GPS or app essential for this hike! Avoid the winter period, as the rocks near the rivers are slippery.