Sospel walks

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.

Trace, in reverse, of the largest lap inside the Parc Départemental de l'Ubac Foran, in Menton. Following this route, you'll take the ascent, passing through shady areas and undergrowth with enough room for one person to pass, then a descent on a wide, sunny track.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

An easily accessible hike offering fabulous views of the French Riviera from Menton to the Estérel. The village of Castellar is also worth a visit.

This panoramic hike is a loop starting from the hilltop village of Castellar and climbing the Cime de Restaud (1,148 m), the Roc de l'Orméa (1,132 m) and Mont Carpano (772 m) on the border ridge. Superb views over the French Riviera from Menton to Monaco and Vintimille. Beautiful views of the hinterland too, with the peaks of the Pays Mentonnais and the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour.

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

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful seaside hike with some unusual sights to discover. While the coastal road from Menton to Ventimiglia is well known, the area below this road offers some little-known geographical and historical curiosities.

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.

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.

In April 1945, the entire Authion massif was the scene of fighting that led to the liberation of the Alpes-Maritimes. This route passes through the main fortifications of the Alpes-Maritimes fortified sector (SFAM). Apart from its historical significance, this circular route offers magnificent panoramic views of the high peaks of the Mercantour to the north and the Mediterranean to the south.

A lovely, easy forest hike. Some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

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.

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.

This area with its four fortifications located at high altitude was the scene of fierce fighting, both in 1793 when the French invaded the County of Nice, and in April 1945, during one of the last battles between the German army and the Allies. These stone and cement structures, bearing multiple cannon and gunshot marks, bear witness to the violence of these final confrontations.

Located on the borders of the Vésubie, Bévéra and Roya valleys, Authion is the southernmost peak in the Alps above 2,000 metres. Hiking its three peaks (Pointe des Trois Communes, Forca and Mille Fourches) offers magnificent panoramic views between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour massif. It is also an opportunity to discover its ancient military forts, which guarded the French-Italian border from the end of the19th century until the end of the Second World War.

Hike along the Authion border, climb the Cime du Diable (2,685 m), with views of the lakes of the Vallée des Merveilles and its ancient rock carvings.

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 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.