Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Tower

A classic of the Maralpine coast, this coastal walk goes around Pointe Sainte-Hospice and Cap-Ferrat. Ideal for a sunny day out of season.

Details

213270
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 123 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 130 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 59 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the inter-communal stadium on Boulevard du Général de Gaulle (RM 125).

(S/E) Take the boulevard northwards, then go down Avenue Albert 1er to the intersection with Avenue Denis Semeria (Le Cap / Albert 1er stop).

(1) Turn right towards the port, then cross and take the stairs down to the left just after the bus shelter. Continue eastwards along the road to reach a small beach next to the port. Pass in front of the town hall, reach the port on your left and follow the quays.

(2) Continue along the quays and continue on Avenue Jean Mermoz heading east.

(3) At the crossroads, keep going in the same direction on this narrow road until you reach Paloma Beach. Go down to the beach via the small steps and take the coastal path on the other side of the beach towards Pointe de Saint-Hospice.
At the point, a strange orientation table indicates Corsica, Elba Island and even Rome!
Continue along the coastal path on the south side of this small peninsula towards Pointe du Colombier, then return to the crossroads along Anse des Fossettes.

(3) Take Avenue Claude Vignon on the left towards the south-west. At the intersection, continue on your left.

(4) Take the private road on the left heading south. There is a gate that may be closed on this road, but don't panic, there is a passageway on the side for pedestrians!
Continue along the path that passes near the old quarry and a ruined building covered in graffiti.
The trail begins here with a wide concrete path that runs alongside the luxurious villas of Cap-Ferrat. After a few minutes, you will arrive at Pointe Causinière, where the path becomes a little narrower and the landscape more arid, consisting of limestone rocks facing the Mediterranean Sea. Please note that there is no shade and strong swells are possible when the east wind blows.
Continue towards Pointe Malalongue and the Cap Ferrat lighthouse.

(5) At the lighthouse, continue along the path that descends to the left of the "coexist" fountain, heading north-west.
This pleasant section of the path, shaded by pine trees, enters the Bay of Villefranche, overlooking the sea from a height of a few metres. Take care with children, as there are some narrow passages without protection.

Follow the path to the end. Take the stairs that lead to the road and go down it on the left to reach Passable Beach.

(6) Cross the beach, take the stairs on the right, then those on the left once you reach the road, and walk up the Passable path. After about a hundred metres, take the stairs on the right again, which will bring you to Avenue Denis Semeria. Follow this road to the right.

(1) Walk up Avenue Albert 1er to return to the stadium (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 58 m - Stadium
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 43 m - Le Cap / Albert 1er stop
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 3 m - Port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
  4. 3 : km 1.79 - alt. 13 m - Anse des Fossettes
  5. 4 : km 4.38 - alt. 10 m - Private road
  6. 5 : km 6.34 - alt. 32 m - Cap Ferrat Lighthouse
  7. 6 : km 9.1 - alt. 3 m - Passable Beach
  8. S/E : km 9.94 - alt. 58 m - Stadium

Notes

Free parking all year round on the RD125 near the stadium.

You can also come by bus: Line 15 - Le Cap / Albert 1er stop

Drinking water fountain at the foot of the Cap Ferrat lighthouse.

Swimming is possible at Paloma, Fossettes and Fosses beaches or at the end of Passable beach.

Swimming at Cap-Ferrat is quite dangerous due to the waves and rocks.

Walking is strongly discouraged in rough weather... there are accidents every year on the coastal paths of the Alpes-Maritimes!

Worth a visit

Nearby, you can visit the beautiful villas of Santo Sospir, Ephrussi de Rotschild and Kérylos.
In Villefranches-sur-Mer: pleasant old town, chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau and citadel offering open-air cinema in the summer.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 113 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 3898437

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not too busy out of season, of course 😁.
It must be a whole different experience in summer! A lovely walk along the coast, absolutely brilliant 👍

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henri.ferraro
henri.ferraro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This walk, which is both remarkably beautiful and very easy, is ideal for a family outing, with absolutely no difficulty. The route offers breathtaking views, revealing splendid villas nestled in the heart of the landscape. As for the view of the gulf and the harbour, it never ceases to amaze, inviting you to simply sit and admire the scenery. And to round off the experience, you can always enjoy a meal by the water’s edge, in a peaceful and enchanting setting

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User 17001446
• Edited:

Hello,

The Pointe Saint Hospice footpath is now fully open again. The work has been completed.

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User 20528620

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk we love to take time and again... the coastal path is stunning. Do make a little detour to visit the chapel of Saint Hospice.

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jacques06380
jacques06380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

roadworks around Ste Hospice, so plan for a slight detour
to be avoided during heatwaves and high winds

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User 19958277

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route along the coast with no particular difficulties. Best enjoyed in good weather.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★
• Edited:

Thank you, User 17001446, for this comment. The author has amended the description accordingly.

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User 17001446

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: the starting point indicated in the description is incorrect as the Tourist Office has moved. It is no longer located on the RD125 but is now on Quai Virgile Allari, directly on the port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
To start the walk, it is therefore best to head towards the port. The path remains beautiful and well marked once you reach it, but this clarification will save you from searching unnecessarily in the hills above the town. For more information https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/sai...

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User 17001446

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the Tourist Office is no longer located on the RD125 but on Quai Virgile Allari.

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fanee
fanee

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike under a generous sun.
We went swimming!
If you're in the area, you should definitely do this – our coastline is beautiful.

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gilles777bd
gilles777bd

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route with constant views of the sea and magnificent panoramic vistas. Two minor drawbacks: no parking space and a bit long and ultimately a bit tedious...

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paccoud isabelle
paccoud isabelle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, with a few unprotected but not dangerous sections, in short without any major difficulty.jolie plage à la fin pour se baigner .attention peu de place pour se garer en saison estival. Pensez à prendre de l'eau car long moment au soleil, point d'eau au 3/4 de la balade.je recommande.

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User 10337071

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

excellent tour, very well described

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yemen
yemen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy, well-marked route with some fine viewpoints.

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cathcatherine
cathcatherine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great walk.
Only downside: the car park. Was it because it was a sunny May 1st?
We spent 45 minutes filming in a packed Beaulieu

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