L'Escarène walks

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Loop hike above Sainte-Agnès with the ascent of three peaks that do not present any difficulties: the Pointe de Siricocca (and its fort-sheepfold), the Pic de Garuche (and its bunker) and the Mont Ours (and its DFCI guard post at the top of a white oak forest). Diverse panoramic views of the coast, the Mercantour and the Nice hinterland.

From Col des Banquettes, this beautiful circular hike takes you to Ravin de Verroux, Ravin de Merthéa and Ruisseau du Borrigo. It also gives you the opportunity to pass by numerous fortifications overlooking the valleys below. From Pointe Siricocca, you can admire Menton and the village of Sainte-Agnès.

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 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.

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.

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 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 beautiful walk in the Mediterranean hinterland. Between forests and rocks, with traces of history (forts and fortifications from the Maginot Line!) A variety of views between the sea and the mountains.

A circular route around the small town of Sospel. Beautiful landscapes in the heart of the Mediterranean mountains.

A beautiful hike north of Sainte-Agnès, Europe's highest coastal village (700 m), featuring three high points, three former military fortifications and three different viewpoints: the Southern Alps from Mont Ours, the east from Pic de Garuche and, finally, Pointe de Siricocca, a rocky peak overlooking the coast.

This is the last stage ofthe GR® 52. It is certainly not the highest in altitude, but it is difficult due to its distance and the passage of certain passes with steep ascents and descents. The Mediterranean views are splendid, especially those from the Col du Razet and Col du Berceau, which rises to 1,100 metres above the town of Menton, the end point of theGR®. You walk along the Italian border throughout the route. Be warned, in summer this stage is very challenging due to the heat, especially the descent from the Col du Berceau.

A beautiful climb to the Cime de Baudon from the hilltop village of Sainte-Agnès. The summit offers exceptional 360° views of the entire region, particularly Menton, but also other towns along the coast and numerous mountain peaks.

A hike in a wild and uncrowded area, yet very close to Nice. You will discover the Plateau Tercier with its panoramic view of the Paillons valleys, the Mercantour and the heights of Nice, as well as a small ruined castle colonised by vegetation: the Castello de Soanès.

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.

A pleasant hike with little elevation gain. The starting route crosses numerous terraced olive groves. The Visorando GPS app may be useful as this route sometimes takes unmapped trails. A visit to the village of Peillon and the Laghet sanctuary will give this hike an unusual flavour.

A beautiful hike combining sightseeing, physical exercise and the discovery of Sainte-Agnès, the highest coastal village in Europe. The Borrigo Waterfall, this alpine trail and the duty to remember with a visit to the Maginot Line fort will round off a wonderful day.

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.

Stop, take photos, observe and take breaks. Whatever you do, take the time to appreciate each side of Mont Agel, which offers magical, exceptional panoramic views. To the north are the Mercantour Alps. To the east and south-east are Menton and the Ligurian Riviera. To the west are the Pre-Alps of the Côte d'Azur and the coastline from Nice to Théoule.

This walk in the hills above Roquebrune-Cap-Martin will take you to the summit of Mont Gros, a popular take-off point for paragliders flying over the Principality of Monaco. The view from the take-off point over the principality and the Mediterranean is breathtaking. A descent to the south of Mont Gros will allow you to complete a circular route via a balcony path above Cabbé Bay and Cap Martin.

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.

Hike near Nice from Colle de Revel, or Château des Voleurs, to Mont de l'Ubac at an altitude of 651 metres, passing through the hamlet of Camp Soubran and Baisse de Bordinas. This circular hike offers beautiful views of Mont Chauve, Tourette Levens, the Mercantour mountains, Mont Agel and Nice, and takes place on varied terrain.

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.

Despite the unpleasant noise pollution from the A8 motorway on part of this circular route, the Grande Corniche Departmental Park offers exceptional views of both the Mediterranean coastline and the Alps. Fortifications from another century and little-known wooded areas are pleasant to explore.

An unusual hike: you wouldn't think it possible to connect La Turbie to Monaco via trails and stairways, yet this pleasant route awaits you. After the urban area of Monaco, Marquet Beach and its coastal path, we will begin the ascent to La Turbie, via steep climbs, steps and rocky paths in the shadow of the Tête de Chien.

Located a few kilometres from the coast, this pleasant walk along paved slanting street takes you to Mont Revel, which rises to an altitude of 373 metres. This historic site, which belongs to the municipality of Tourrette-Levens, is known for housing, among other things, the ruins of a square tower and the remains of a postern gate with a loophole, known as the Château des Barbets or Château des Voleurs.

I suggest this round trip route, which starts at the eastern edge of Monaco and ends at the casino in Menton, without ever losing sight of the sea, with superb views of Monaco and Menton. It follows the customs officers' paths, crosses or overlooks the beaches of Cabbé and Le Buse, goes around Cap Martin to arrive at Carnolès and finally Menton. It is a 16 km (8 km x 2) route on paved terrain, with no technical difficulties, if you choose to do the round trip.

Pleasant wooded walk to the west of Saint-André-De-La-Roche. In just a few minutes, you leave the urbanisation of Nice behind for Provençal vegetation of olive trees, fig trees, pines, oaks and cypresses. Beautiful views of the village of Falicon.

An easy walk, mostly along the coast on the customs officers' path between Monaco and Menton, which runs along the Bay of Roquebrune with the beautiful Buse beach and goes around Cap Martin.

Following theGR®5, a hike that leads to the Falicon Pyramid, then up the slopes above to enjoy the view of Nice, the sea and the snow-capped mountains to the north. Moderator's warning on 10/05/2021: Please note that parking is no longer available at the start of this hike. See reviews.

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.

This pleasant route starts in Nice Nord and takes you to Mont Chauve d'Aspremont via theGR® hillside trail. It offers panoramic views of the Nice metropolitan area and the sea, as well as the Var plain and the first peaks of the Mercantour. It is marked by the ruins of Château Renard, the Falicon Cave and the Fort du Mont Chauve. This route is accessible to most people despite the very stony and slippery paths in wet weather.

This short hike in the hills near Nice will take you to the foot of Mont Chauve d'Aspremont for a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea, Nice and its surroundings. Ideal for a short trail run... or for walking the dogs (there are many in this area).

This walk on the hill of Gairaut will take you through this former rural district, now populated by beautiful villas surrounded by olive trees, with breathtaking views of the city of Nice and the sea. After a round trip along the Gairaut canal, which has its source in the Vésubie, you will descend towards Avenue de Gairaut before climbing back up to the Church of Saint-Sauveur-de-Gairaut and the Gairaut waterfall, topped by the former caretaker's house in traditional Russian wooden style.

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.