Utelle walks

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful paved slanting street mule track taking you through fields and ruins to the small rural chapel of Saint-Pierre. This lovely walk, a testament to many ancestral exchanges, offers a journey back in time.

A magnificent hike that starts from the hamlet of Calençon and offers a 360° view of the Mercantour Massif, the Haute Vésubie and all the way to the sea! The Madone d’Utelles is visible on its ridge. Abundant and varied vegetation throughout the route.

A hike in complete tranquillity. Along the trail, you can admire small pebbles in the rock cavities and small drawings. From several places, you can see the Madonna of Utelle and magnificent views of the Vésubie valley.

Starting from the charming village of Duranus, this walk takes you on a journey of discovery to a site steeped in history and atmosphere. You will reach the spectacular ruins of Rocca Sparvièra, a veritable hilltop ghost village overlooking the valley. Along the way, you’ll pass the pretty Saint-Michel Chapel and walk alongside the Éguisse Mines, former arsenic mines now overgrown with vegetation. An accessible circular route rich in heritage, combining wild nature, medieval ruins and mining history. Perfect for lovers of authentic, atmospheric hikes!

A circular forest hike passing by the old Eguisse Mine, with a return trip to the Saint-Michel Chapel and the ruins of Rocca Sparvièra.

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 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.

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.

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.

Ascent to the "cursed" ruins of Rocca Sparviera. Shorter alternative to the ascent via Coaraze. An easy walk but very steep at the end. Not recommended with very young children.

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 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.

Useful information: until further notice, swimming and canyoning are prohibited under a local by-law, with fines applicable. Signs are posted at the start of the walk. A short walk or mini-hike, mostly through woodland, which will take you to the start of the Planfaé canyoning route; it’s not difficult, even though the start is steep and in full sun.

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 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.

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.

It’s an old route that we’ve rediscovered

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.

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

Forming a pleasant circular route starting from the village of Coaraze, this walk is ideal for a half-day outing or for a hike in autumn, winter or even early spring. In early autumn, you can pick (and taste) a few wild arbutus berries between the La Croix and Buse valleys. The route offers some lovely views of certain peaks along the Alpes-Maritimes coastline, such as the Cime de Baudon or Mont Agel.

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.

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 is a long and beautiful hike through magnificent forests, taking you through the abandoned hamlet of Béasse, uninhabited for many years, before passing through Peira Cava for another descent through birch and conifer trees.

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.

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.

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 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 pleasant hike thanks to its diversity. Wooded areas with different species of trees, beautiful views, ancient trails including the Crête des Martourins, and a finale in this little aquatic paradise where the elephant is located, a swimming spot once known mainly to the people of Lantosquois and its surroundings.

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.

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 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.

The stunning, seemingly endless ridge of the Pointe de Faule with its myriad views, the Peïra Cava forest renowned for its tall, mixed-species trees, anda walk through the abandoned 17th-century village of Béasse, uninhabited since 1930, are all part of this challenging hike.A few short technical and exposed sections; the Visorando app may prove useful

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.

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.

This is a hike to enjoy during the Christmas period, starting from Lucéram, a magical medieval village famous for its 500 nativity scenes. The route crosses the Turini road several times, then passes through the Col de l'Orme before reaching the summit of Mont l'Ablé, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline and, with a little luck, Corsica, the Grassoises Pre-Alps and part of the Mercantour massif. From the summit of Mont Auri, the aerial view of the village of Lucéram is exceptional. The return journey takes you through the Ibac forest and behind the village.

During the ascent, enjoy beautiful views overlooking the village of Lucéram. The Roccanièra valley trail is not very busy. A succession of different vegetation types will accompany you throughout this humid valley with its steep edges.

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.

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.

This short hike starting from the village of Saint-Blaise will take you to Castel, a 13th-century castle in ruins overlooking the entire Saint-Blaise valley with unobstructed views as far as Mont Vial.

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 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.

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.

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 very beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Vésubie Valley. The imposing Villette ridge overlooks the return trail. The route between points (8) and (9) bears witness to an ancestral agricultural past.

Starting from Saint-Martin-du-Var, this short walk along the slopes of La Roquette-sur-Var will take you to this picturesque hilltop village offering views over the Var plain.The return path runs alongside the Vésubie Canal for a few metres.

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 bucolic and informative stroll in the back country of Nice.

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 pleasant walk starting from Touët-de-l'Escarène. After an initial slightly uphill section, the route is then very easy going, mostly following DFCI tracks. The scenery is varied.

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.

This pleasant route takes you along rarely used paths, past ancient ruins, the remains of forgotten terraces, refreshing streams, a 360° view from the top of the Scaletta ridge and abundant wildlife. This hike is for experienced hikers. The tour of the Scaletta ridge is off-trail and the terraces between points (6) and (7) form low walls that must be climbed over. You may need to use your hands on the rock.

A challenging hike to reach the Tres Crous viewpoint, characterised by its three crosses and the panoramic view of the Vésubie valley stretching all the way to the sea.

This route crosses two villages in the hinterland, L'Escarène and Touët-de-l'Escarène, via rarely used paths. A fewancient ruins, the remains of forgotten terraces, a 360° view from the top of the Crête de la Scaletta and abundant wildlife. This hike is for experienced hikers. The Crête de la Scaletta is off-trail and the terraces between (11) and (12) form low walls that must be crossed. Sometimes you have to use your hands on the rock.

Stroll through the narrow streets and old bridges of L'Escarène. Cross the magnificent Paillon National Forest and stop at Berre-les-Alpes to admire the panoramic views and old buildings. The return journey takes you through the forest and its marlstone "canyons". The final path leads to the heart of L'Escarène.