Le Malvan and the Bois de la Sine

An easy semi-urban hike from the Ara district of Vence, best done in spring and summer.
It will allow you to discover the Malvan nature reserve and part of the Bois de la Sine. Most of the route is through woodland, with a few transitional sections along the roadside.
The elevation gain is not difficult and is mainly at the beginning and end of the route, when you climb up from the lowest point: the bed of the Malvan river.

Details

6943530
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 185 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 184 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 340 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 217 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ District: Vence (06140)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.718848° / E 7.104332°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3643ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Ara Tennis Club car park or in the surrounding area.

(S/E) Join Chemin du Baric and descend it on the right to reach the GR®653 (white/red markings), where you descend the steps to the bridge over the Malvan.

(1) Cross the bridge and go up the track opposite. Continue along this path towards La Sine, following the markings until you come to a large (graffiti-covered) cistern by the side of the road (Chemin de la Sine).

(2) Follow the road to the right for 200 metres. Then turn left into the forest at a red fire hydrant.

(3) Head south on the wide path (GR®) that winds through the woods. At the Necropolis car park, turn right and continue to follow the markings on the other side of the road, then turn right with the GR®.

(4) When you reach a crossroads at the campsite, leave the GR® and continue straight ahead. Walk along the campsite fence for a few hundred metres until you reach a barrier and the Piste des Salettes, which you follow along an industrial estate until you reach the Chemin de la Sine.

(5) Take the road to the right for a few moments. To avoid staying on the road, you will see a small path (unmarked) parallel to the road on the left-hand side. Follow it until you reach a crossroads with several paths (large uprooted stump).

(6) From the uprooted stump, go up the path on the left and immediately take a path on the right that goes down to the cistern you passed on the way there.

(2) Retrace your steps, cross the Malvan bridge again and follow the track and then the street back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m - Ara Tennis Club car park
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 225 m - Bridge - Malvan (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 291 m - Crossroads of the circular loop (cistern)
  4. 3 : km 1.36 - alt. 315 m - Fire hydrant
  5. 4 : km 2.52 - alt. 340 m - Trail/GR junction
  6. 5 : km 3.15 - alt. 327 m - Chemin de la Sine
  7. 6 : km 3.68 - alt. 320 m - Crossroads (uprooted tree stump)
  8. S/E : km 5.24 - alt. 289 m - Ara Tennis Club car park

Notes

1- The description of the route between points (5) and (6) is a little complicated to follow without a GPX track. In fact, its purpose is to avoid staying on the road until you reach the cistern. If this section seems unclear, do not hesitate to find the Chemin de la Sine road to the cistern.

2- The section of road between (4) and (5) is an urban transition between two more bucolic parts.

3- If possible, take this route during the week. Certain sections are much busier at weekends due to their proximity to the city.

Worth a visit

This unpretentious family walk allows you to quickly find yourself in the woods from Vence, without really leaving the town. The flora changes constantly with the seasons and you will not lack shade in summer.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
danielaime06
danielaime06

Thank you, Phasmes, for your comments. I agree that this part of the "semi-urban" route is not the most pleasant, but it is somewhat unavoidable if you want to reach the Bois de la Sine via a circular route. I apologise for the inconvenience, which is the responsibility of the town councils of Vence and St Paul-de-Vence and the civic-mindedness of their residents.
Best regards, fellow hikers.

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Phasmes
Phasmes

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

A route of little general interest.
Some sections are noisy (4&5) or have become toilets for pets.
Watch where you step!

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Yopm07
Yopm07

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Unaccustomed to 'urban' routes, I got lost like never before.

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Nanne06
Nanne06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in the cool woods

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Nanne06
Nanne06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a very pleasant section through the woods (popular with walkers at lunchtime).

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randodom(
randodom(

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant circular loop, no problems

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Delphus
Delphus

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, very shady route full of scents and birdsong through a beautiful forest.

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avc06
avc06

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I used the map on the website to create a route on my GPS. No problem.
A short but very interesting hike.
Good distance and elevation gain.
I recommend it.

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pierremanu06
pierremanu06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk that can be enjoyed with the family, very easy and pleasant.

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GordonB
GordonB

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route for a family outing in summer, as it is mainly in the woods, but without any exceptional points of interest.

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Eric VANAERDE
Eric VANAERDE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

If your car is equipped with GPS, the address of the Ara tennis club car park is: 19 avenue des Pins - Vence

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danielaime06
danielaime06

It is true that there is a section between points 4 and 5 that is not particularly bucolic. However, it is difficult to find a two-hour route so close to the city without crossing any roads with traffic. Fortunately, as you say, the rest of the route is quiet and pleasant.
Thank you for your comment.
Daniel

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souppcl2
souppcl2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike on the outskirts of town with the usual drawbacks: sections near noisy roads and industrial areas, not very interesting and dusty. The rest of the route is easy and pleasant. The banks of the Malvan are shaded and pleasant.

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