Duranus walks

A hike in complete tranquillity. Along the trail, you can admire small pebbles in the rock cavities and small drawings. From several places, you can see the Madonna of Utelle and magnificent views of the Vésubie valley.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

A short walk or mini hike, mostly through the woods, will take you to the start of the Planfaé canyoning route, which is not difficult even if the start is tough and in full sun.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a long and beautiful hike through magnificent forests, taking you through the abandoned hamlet of Béasse, uninhabited for many years, before passing through Peira Cava for another descent through birch and conifer trees.

This is a long, somewhat technical hike, starting from the beautiful village of La Tour on the edge of the Tinée valley, which will take you to the summit of Brec d'Utelle with an incredible view of the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful climb through the forest to reach the summit of Mont Vial, with magnificent views of several peaks in the Alpes Maritimes. You will pass through three small, little-known but charming and peaceful villages: Revest-les-Roches, Toudon and Tourette-du-Château.

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.

An ideal hike during sunny autumn weather. Much of the route is under trees, with splendid red and orange colours and the pleasant scent of thyme.

This is a superb hike, varied, picturesque and panoramic, with the added bonus of passing through a beautiful village. What's more, it is not too difficult and therefore accessible to most hikers with a little training. It should be added that this route is very often shaded and therefore pleasant in hot weather. The markings and signposts are sufficient to prevent you from getting lost.

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

A pleasant little circular loop along the Estéron, passing by the Pont de l'Estéron, the pretty hilltop village of Gilette, its botanical trail, La Clue and La Clave, and returning along the Route de la Clavée. If you are lucky, you can pick wild asparagus in spring or swim in the Estéron in summer.

This circular hike, starting from the Pont de l'Estéron, takes you along this pretty river with its turquoise waters before climbing into the forest alongside a small stream and joining small isolated roads towards the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite (17th century). The descent is via a pretty path overlooking the Estéron, offering some beautiful views towards the Plaine du Var at the end. This circuit can also be done in the opposite direction, ending with the section along the river.

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 pleasant hike thanks to its diversity. Wooded areas with different species of trees, beautiful views, ancient trails including the Crête des Martourins, and a finale in this little aquatic paradise where the elephant is located, a swimming spot once known mainly to the people of Lantosquois and its surroundings.

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.

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 pleasant hike with no major difficulties, featuring a superb ridge walk and, as a reward, a visit to Fort Charvet. Built between 1883 and 1890, this fort occupies a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Tinée and Var rivers.

A short, easy stroll that can be enjoyed in any season. Beautiful views of the ruins of Fougassière Castle at the summit, as well as the village of Gilette.

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.

This hike starts in the hilltop village of Le Broc and takes you to the Monséguise plateau, which offers a rare view of the Alpes-Maritimes. After a gradual climb through the Vallon de la Sine, you reach the plateau via a short climb along the "piste du gaz". At the top, you can see the Mediterranean, from the Estérel to nearby Nice, and the peaks of the Nice hinterland as far as the Mercantour! On the descent, there are numerous views of the hilltop villages of the Nice hinterland.

A circular hike starting from the charming village of Le Broc. A steep climb through the forest leads to the buried Gravière canal, which you follow along a track through the woods before reaching a clear view of Mont Vial and the Mercantour near the hamlet of Les Combes. The climb up the Mouton d'Anou via a track and then a narrow path offers a beautiful 360° panorama from Cap d'Antibes to Mercantour. The descent is via a pleasant path through the woods.

Variation of the other circular route between Le Broc and Le Mouton d'Anou. This variation passes through Jas Jausserand and the spectacular Vallon de la Sine on the way back.

In the heart of the magnificent Turini Forest (3,500 hectares), the pass of the same name (1,674 metres) marks the climatic boundary between the Mediterranean hinterland of Nice and the mountainous "high country". Olive groves give way to fir, beech and larch forests, which are ablaze with colour in autumn. Throughout this loop, you will enjoy superb views of the entire region, including the Mounier, the Cime du Diable and the Vallon de la Maïris.