Malaussène walks

A beautiful route through the ‘moyen pays’ region, offering the chance to explore the village of Malaussène, the forest and the ridge of Mont Vial. The 360° panorama from Mont Vial is sublime, with views of both sea and mountains.

Starting from the village of Malaussène, part of the Serse route has become impassable due to rockfalls. A local advised us to follow the Adous Canal. It’s an easy, almost flat, round-trip walk. To make the return journey a bit more challenging over the final few kilometres, we turned off to rejoin a section of the Serse route.

This is a very pleasant short walk with a south-facing route, which is very pleasant in winter. This century-old mule track linked the village of Massoins to Malaussène railway station, facilitating logistics and trade.

A very pleasant hike, the start of which is south-facing, which is very pleasant in winter. Once you have visited the village, the rarely used return trail ends in a rocky area, where it disappears. Take care when walking through the wooded area of thorn bushes and oak trees on the Dos de l'Éléphant ridge along the banks of the Var .

A beautiful, challenging hike between the Var and Tinée rivers.

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.

This beautiful hike will allow you to explore both sides of Mont Ragias, the highest peak in the Middle Var at 1,174 metres. The eastern slope, which alternates between terraced paths and forest, climbs up the Espignole valley. The other slope, more rocky, overlooks the Var valley, offering beautiful panoramic views. It is only at the Chapelle Saint-Jean du Désert, almost at the end of the route, that you can see Mont Ragias.

This walk takes us to explore the gorges of the River Espignole. This round trip offers a delightful mix of views of the Var, a visit to the beautiful village of Villars-sur-Var, its church and streets, and the chance to discover an unmarked path that follows the route of the Canal du Moulin, which brings water to the village, without any significant change in elevation.

This circular hike starting from the village of Toudon provides access to one of the main peaks of the Mont Vial massif between Var and Estéron. On the menu for this hike: pine forests and broom scrub, grassy terraces of abandoned countryside, a slightly steep passage at the foot of a limestone cliff, panoramic views of Cheiron, the Var valley, Mercantour... and even Nice and the sea on a clear day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A difficult, unspoilt and wild route which, after an hour’s walk, leaves the Reveston path (alt. 560 m) to reach the Crête de la Madone (alt. 1154 m). Please note : this hike is intended for those who enjoy challenging terrain and sustained physical exertion.

A lovely autumn hike starting from the medieval hilltop village of Bairols in the middle of the Tinée valley. The climb up to the Col de l'Espalla offers splendid views of the Tinée valley before reaching the lake plateau. The return trip along the chestnut tree trail is also very pleasant and, at this time of year, you can pick up a few chestnuts to roast in a pan in the evening.

Mont Falourde is situated at the junction of the Var and Tinée valleys, and is well worth the detour in its own right. This hike follows some beautiful high-altitude trails, with numerous steep sections offering magnificent panoramic views. The final stretch of the trail runs at the foot of cliffs.

A lovely walk which I had mistakenly thought would be uninteresting: a small hamlet, impressive views across the whole Esteron valley, from the Bernade ridges above Soleilhas right down to the lower Var. Explore Pierrefeu, with its church nestled between two rocky outcrops.

An excellent area to prepare for the alpine summer season. Areal pleasure to explore this wooded massif, home to a rich variety of species and one of the most beautiful forests in the Alpes-Maritimes department. This paved slanting street, these terraced walls and these ruins bear witness to an ancient agricultural tradition.

A lovely circular walk around the Madone d’Utelle. It offers a wide variety of landscapes: from woodland to meadows, Mediterranean scenery and terraced fields, passing through drier terrain. The view is at times quite narrow, at other times very expansive, offering vistas of the surrounding peaks of the Mercantour, the Cians and the Tinée, as well as the Gorges de la Mescla.

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.

A long, unusual circular hike to admire the view from the Madone d’Utelle. For anyone who has already climbed up via the village and wants to make the route a bit more challenging! As a bonus, you’ll pass through several old abandoned hamlets, including the pretty little village of Le Reveston. A hike with no real technical difficulty, but which may be long and tiring for those unaccustomed to it.

A wild and varied route around Mont Fracha, revealing forests, valleys and panoramic ridges. A changing landscape on this route marked by traces of ancient human activity, between wooded areas, steep terrain and open views over the landscapes of the Cians and the Tinée.

A very beautiful, undulating walk through wooded countryside. The Vallon des Hirondelles is a little-visited wetland area, and the presence of a magnificent oak tree, certified as several hundred years old, leaves all walkers in awe.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful circular walk in the heart of the Pré-Alpes d'Azur Regional Nature Park, starting from Ascros and passing through Les Chats, Pécogiu and the Var-Moyen State Forest on the way to the magnificent Sainte-Baume Chapel.

This twenty-first stage, once you have crossed the Vésubie, takes place in the Nice Pre-Alps and brings the GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes) to a close by the sea. From the Place de la Fontaine in Utelle, the GR®5 heads west, then south, crossing a few small valleys to reach the hamlet of Cros d’Utelle. It crosses the Vésubie valley, climbs the opposite slope after the town of Levens, ascends through woodland to Colla Partida, passes beneath Mont Cima and descends to the beautiful circular fortified village of Aspremont. The path climbs the western flank of Mont Chauve d’Aspremont without reaching the summit. It descends the Crête de Graus until it reaches Château Renard and then La Bauma. The path enters a valley, which it follows eastwards, then due south towards La Fontaine Sainte, and crosses the bridge over the Autoroute de la Provençale. It enters the city of Nice, which it crosses from north to south to reach Nice Ville railway station.

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.

From the village of Cros d'Utelle, a route via the Vallon d'Embellarte to the Sanctuary of the Madone d'Utelle, offering a 360° view of the Mercantour, the Grasse Pre-Alps and the Mediterranean. Return via the Vallon de l'Aclap and theGR®5. You will pass the ruined houses of the old hamlet of Le Villard, dotted with centuries-old chestnut trees, and the little Chapel of Saint-Antoine, which you won’t want to miss.

A circular route that will give you the opportunity to visit the typical villages of Les Ferres and Bouyon and discover the Clue de la Cerise, carved out by the turbulent waters of the Estéron.

The Estèron valley and its turbulent waters. Most of the hike is in the undergrowth, so it is shaded, with a more exposed return.Moderator's warning on 02/03/2021: Caution! Due to rockfalls, a path is closed. See notices dated 27 February and 02 March 2021.

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 short hike that will take you off the beaten track through a relatively easy-to-navigate forest to the summit of Mont Saint-Michel. The summit offers a beautiful view of the village below. The return trail passes through an easy area wooded with chestnut trees. This hike is reserved for off-trail enthusiasts.

A very beautiful and short walk, following a centuries-old path, as evidenced by these two ancient bridges. The bridge and the unmarked wooded path are a lovely discovery. Beautiful views of the village of Thiéry before crossing it.

Un joli circuit dans un domaine forestier très agréable aux essences de pins diverses. La montée jusqu'à la Villa Souberre, en pente douce, permet d'admirer les alpages.

A beautiful circular wooded path starting from the village of Thiéry, allowing you to admire the Crête des Charbonnières, then walk along it on the way back. The route is a little long (6 hours including breaks) but does not present any technical difficulties. At the end of the hike, we recommend visiting the village.

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 unique one-way hike (allow for two vehicles) takes you up Mont Arpasse via the little-used south-eastern route. The final stretch is a path nearly 3 km long, sometimes carved into the cliff face, steep and vertiginous, clinging to the mountainous western flank of Mont Arpasse. It was built by the constructors of the Vésubie Canal in the 1870s and offers views of the Var throughout. The section between marker 296 and the finish is reserved for experienced walkers.

Starting from the Pont de l’Estéron, this route takes you to the old village of Bouyon, passing through the hamlet of Clos Martel along a shaded path. The return journey follows the Estéron river, partly along a cantilevered path, ending at the Route de la Grave.

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

A return walk along this little-known, centuries-old path, which is particularly interesting for its diversity. The trail begins in woodland alongside the stream, then winds its way through the rock. You’ll follow the Vésubie canal for a few metres before reaching a series of winding hairpin bends overlooking the Vésubie. Following Storm Alex, the path ends at the Vésubie.

A very varied walking route (path, track, road), best done in autumn or spring. A bird’s-eye view of Levens on the way back and a walk past magnificent villas in Gieinnanova.

A very beautiful walk, which can be started either from La Clave (Le Broc) or from Gilette. It passes through varied landscapes and offers a chance to explore the Pre-Alps... whilst passing very close to the Estéron We have chosen to start this route with the climb to Gilette from La Clave to avoid this difficulty at the end of the hike. You’ll easily be able to reach the river on three occasions throughout this hike.

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 beautiful hike above Roquesteron. Magnificent views of the villages of Pierrefeu, Toudon and Mont Vial.

A beautiful circular hike starting from the village of Lieuche, taking you to the summit of Brec d'Ilonse, which offers a beautiful view of the Mercantour massif and the village of the same name. The hike passes through the beautiful village of Thiéry, which is well worth a visit. The route is long and requires a good level of fitness, although it does not present any technical difficulties.

The Lauvet d’Ilonse walk is very accessible. Mostly following the ridge line, it offers views of many surrounding peaks: the Mounier to the north-west and numerous Mercantour peaks on the border with Italy.

A very fine walk in the middle country of the Alpes Maritimes, alternating between open views and coniferous forests. The 360° panorama from the Lauvet d'Ilonse is well worth the diversions: you can see the whole of the Mercantour and the main peaks of the mid-country.

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 hike through the ‘Moyen Pays’ region between the villages of Levens and Coaraze, passing via Mont Férion. It mainly takes place in woodland with a few clear views over the Coaraze and Var valleys.

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.