The Plan des Noves circuit

de fr

Le Plan des Noves, located between Vence and the Col de Vence, offers a beautiful walk through karstic terrain leading to a panoramic view of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet and the sea.
This circuit details walk no. 21 in the Randoxygène guidebook "Pays côtier" published by the Alpes Maritimes General Council.

Details

n°987001
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 218 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 227 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 789 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 645 m
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Photos

Plateau des Noves
View of the Baou de St Jeannet.
Towards the east
Beautiful herd

Description of the walk

Access via the M2 road from Vence to Coursegoules. About 3km before the pass, park in the car park on the right at the sign for "Plan des Noves les Plaines".

(S/E) At the end of the car park towards the east, take theGR®51(white and red markings), gently downhill, and arrive at marker 133 after about 40 minutes.

Go around the sinkhole in front of you and turn left, heading north, following theGR®51to marker 134 (10 minutes from one marker to the next).

(2) Leave theGR® and follow the yellow trail on the right.

(3) Point of interest marked "Grte" on the map. This is a karstic cave covered with two protective logs.
To find it, follow the small path on the left when you see a fallen tree (see photo). This is a good place to take a break.
After rejoining the trail, you will come to a fork.

(4) Turn left and continue to follow the yellow markings.

(5) About 25 minutes after the karstic cave, you will have the best view of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet and the sea. Continue south-west until you reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right towards the west and continue to follow the yellow markings on the ridge until you reach marker 132 (at an altitude of approximately 760 metres). Continue downhill towards the west towards Mangia Pau.

(7) Take advantage of this more sheltered spot to stop for lunch, then continue north-west

(8) At marker 131, climb up to the right towards the north, continuing to follow the signs for the circuit and the yellow markings until you return to marker 133.

Take the path back to the car park via a gentle climb (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 789 m - Parking Plan des Noves les plaines
  2. 1 : km 1.53 - alt. 674 m - Plan des Noves circuit
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 665 m - On the right, follow the yellow markings
  4. 3 : km 2.35 - alt. 657 m - Karstic cave
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 652 m - Turn left at the fork
  6. 5 : km 3.68 - alt. 725 m - First summit 726m - viewpoint
  7. 6 : km 4.17 - alt. 767 m - Summit of the circuit
  8. 7 : km 4.42 - alt. 759 m - Sheltered spot
  9. 8 : km 5.01 - alt. 699 m - Marker 131, on the right
  10. S/E : km 7.19 - alt. 788 m - Parking Plan des Noves les plaines

Notes

Alternative route on the return journey: 50m before (1), you can turn left and follow a track parallel to theGR® for about 300m.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
orso2010
orso2010

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely little walk, watch out for wet stones at the start, beautiful view of the sea.

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PHIL6
PHIL6

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 : No

A very beautiful hike during the week, but very crowded on weekends. No difficulty finding your way with the GPS track and markers. You can bring children, as it is completely safe. There are many nice hikes to do at the Col de Vence

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Chafic
Chafic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike with beautiful views of the sea and the baous.
Perfect for families with children

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JYL06
JYL06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a few rocky sections and lovely trails overall. Great views of Baou de Saint-Jeannet and Saint-Jeannet.
The route corresponds to the GPS track.

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jujan
jujan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is perfect for a short hike to stretch your legs
Very well explained
The details are easy to follow

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Jacques 06700
Jacques 06700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great little walk, very easy with the added bonus of a beautiful view of Corsica. The view was perfect with the naked eye.
Thanks for the information

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jm06
jm06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a superb short hike to get back into shape. The route is very pleasant at this time of year.
There is a lot of pastoral farming. Superb view from the summit over the Baou de St Jeannet and the Mediterranean.
The route is very well signposted. There are a few environmentally conscious hikers, which is becoming increasingly rare.
Highly recommended.

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Mario Simard
Mario Simard
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike with no particular difficulties.

Impressive view of Baou Saint-Jannet!

Thanks, Clau06

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JFObama
JFObama

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent

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veridisqvo
veridisqvo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route. I knew the peaks/Mangia Pan, but I had never reached them from the Plan des Noves side. It wasn't particularly difficult, but we did do this route with my father, who is elderly, and the GR at the start and on the way back wasn't easy due to its narrowness and the stones. There is also a tough descent after the point (7) (I think). However, it is possible to take a small path on the side that is much less steep.

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BOMEL
BOMEL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, varied route without too many steep sections. We split into two groups, which met up at some large terraces with enormous walls. Could these be Ligurian terraces?
We had a lovely day

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danielaime06
danielaime06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I do this route about twice a year to get back into shape or with friends who aren't very athletic.
It's a very pleasant, easy hike that takes a maximum of two hours and 20 minutes (not including breaks).
PS: Other hikers have told me that it is possible to avoid returning by the same route (GR51) by going straight ahead at marker 8 and going around the fences on the left. At some point, you should be able to find a path leading back to the car park. Sorry, I don't have the exact details of this detour at the moment.

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François P33
François P33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike at the end of winter, with no particular difficulties.

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LePoy
LePoy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

An easy walk (apart from a few rocks made very slippery by mud).
Of moderate interest in winter. Certainly more attractive in spring.
The route is mainly in a valley, so there are few picturesque views.
Lots of families with children as there is little elevation and wide terraces or meadows where children and dogs can play.

Be careful, we came across a large herd of sheep and goats, guarded by three patous and two border collies. One of the patous behaved normally for its breed: charging and aggressive. It is a herd protection dog, not a cuddly toy. The shepherdess had difficulty calling it back, but there was no problem as we stood still with our hands in our pockets.

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Beauty06
Beauty06

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant short hike. Beautiful views of the coastline. However, avoid during hunting season.

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