Valbonne walks

This long hike, mainly through woodland, starts in the charming village of Valbonne and takes you to the small wild valley of Bruguet (dry in summer). After a long stretch of heathland, you will follow the Brague, a small river that can be devastating (see the floods of October 2015) flowing through an almost virgin forest. At the beginning of the season, swimming is possible in a few spots. Moderator's note: there are a few difficulties on this hike; see the comments at the bottom of this page

A circuit combining the discovery of historical heritage and biodiversity. The circuit starts at the12th-century abbey and can end with a visit to the heritage museum and the15th-century village of Valbonne. What's more, this route follows part of the Way of St James from Rome. The biodiversity of Mediterranean flora is also visible throughout the route.

This is an easy walk through woodland with plenty of shade, which is very welcome in summer. The route follows the Brague river and its confluence with the Bruguet before returning via the Brague. There are magnificent views of the rivers, waterfalls and a small stone bridge.

A family walk in the Valmasque heath, ideal for a picnic near the Étang de Fontmerle. The lake is covered with lotus flowers, which bloom from July to mid-September.

This short hike starting from the Domaine des Courmettes will take you to one of the main 360° viewpoints between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour mountains.

Far from the crowded beaches, the coast and its hustle and bustle, you can hike in a little corner of paradise for the curious or the initiated. River, waterfalls, swimming or fishing... The landscapes and activities here are as varied as they are enjoyable. Loop at La Colle-sur-Loup, where you can also swim, go rock climbing and hire kayaks.

A very short mini hike with a very gradual and gentle climb. The path is very safe and easy to follow.Very pleasant for a light meal with a panoramic view.

The Cavillore plateau hike is a loop along historic paths with a troglodyte fortress hidden in the cliff, a Roman road and the former priory of Saint-Vincent. Throughout the route, you will enjoy magnificent views of the coast and the village of Gourdon. This circuit is a variation of hike no. 1337911, "Plateau du Col de Cavillore". The route is unshaded and easily accessible, even for paragliders flying overhead.

Starting from the small village of Courmes, you will climb up to the Plateau Saint-Barnabé to ascend the Puy de Tourrettes, a mountain whose summit plateau offers views of the Mercantour and the coast. After a short descent, you will climb back up to the Pic de Courmettes, a pretty viewpoint with a 360° panorama of the Loup valley, the Cheiron massif and the Cap Ferrat coastline in the Estérel. After a steep descent along the western ridge, you will return to the village at a leisurely pace through the forest.

A short, easy hike to discover the beautiful landscapes between the Gorges du Loup, the Plateau Saint-Barnabé and the Cheiron Massif. Le Pré Royer is a beautiful area of successive clearings above the Bramafan forest. During the rutting season, you can hear many deer at dusk or dawn.

A short circular hike above the village of Courmes, ideal during the deer rut at dawn or dusk. Thrills guaranteed! A brief stop on the Saint-Barnabé plateau offers beautiful views of the Cheiron massif to the north and the village of Gourdon overlooking the Gorges du Loup to the south.

A very pretty walk in the forest, cool, flowery and rural with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Take the opportunity to visit Courmes, a charming little mountain village.

This route takes you to the Puy de Naouri, which overlooks the entire Vence area, both on the sea and mountain sides. This hike, starting from Vence, seems to me to be more interesting and enjoyable than the one starting from Tourrettes-sur-Loup, even though it is longer, as it does not follow any tarmac roads.

This walk begins with a stroll along the peaceful Chemin du Riou, a balcony overlooking the Pays Vençois, then climbs up to the two cliff promontories, taking in a wide panorama from Nice to Théoule, and perhaps even a glimpse of Corsica!

This is a well-known and popular circular route, best done when the mimosa is in bloom between January and March. The route is clearly marked with abundant, easy-to-read yellow signs, so it is impossible to get lost. The route alternates between shady valleys and ridges illuminated by mimosa trees. However, it should be avoided after heavy rain as there are several fords to cross. It is a relatively long hike but accessible to most walkers.

Walk around the Plateau Saint-Barnabé to finish in the "Champ des Idoles" (Field of Idols), a curious landscape of rocks sculpted by nature. A family walk with no elevation gain.

A magnificent hike to the top of the baous, overlooking Vence and Saint-Jeannet. You will pass through karst landscapes and heathland flora. The panoramic views of the sea and mountains are breathtaking.

The Calern plateau above Caussols is extraordinary for its botanical diversity, karstic relief, sinkholes, karstic caves and collapses. This hike reveals an agricultural heritage of cleared sinkholes, dry stone enclosures and huts, and piles of stones that decorate the landscape. In May, the dew adds a touch of magic to the wild orchids, ball thyme and budding lavender.

This hike goes around the Malle plateau, first following the Colle du Maçon ridge and then the Doublier ridge. Most of the route is on the peaks of the Grasse Pre-Alps and offers breathtaking 360° views of the Mercantour, the French Riviera and the enchanting Caussols plateau. The Malle plateau is farmed by a group of livestock breeders. This route stays within the boundaries of the Malle estate, which are marked by numerous signs on the ground.

Short hike to the summit of the Causse de Calern, where the panorama is remarkable with views of the coastline in the distance, the Caussols Plateau, and the peaks of Cheiron and Mercantour. On the way, visit Notre-Dame de Calern, a cave converted into a chapel.

This unusual route for the region will take you past limestone rocks sculpted by erosion, including a cave chapel which you can visit. You will pass through the facilities of the Côte d'Azur Astronomical Observatory. This loop will then take you on a journey through 2,000 years of history along a Roman road through the woods. The final section, through stone enclosures and old sheepfolds, bears witness to a pastoral past.

This is a large loop that goes around one of the first foothills of the Pré-Alpes d'Azur, following old paths and the Gorges de la Siagne. The loop is long but mostly flat, except for the descent to Cabris and the very steep climb back up to Saint-Vallier. The villages offer views and shops for refreshments. It is recommended to start early, as the second third of the hike will be sheltered from the southern sun, but the hardest part is exposed. There are few alternative routes or shortcuts once you are in the gorges between Saint-Cézaire and Saint-Vallier.

Le Plan des Noves, located between Vence and the Col de Vence, offers a beautiful walk through karstic terrain leading to a panoramic view of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet and the sea. This circuit details walk no. 21 in the Randoxygène guidebook "Pays côtier" published by the Alpes Maritimes General Council.

A lovely walk on the coastal path of the Cap d'Antibes. Very well laid-out, it offers superb views of the Antibes coast as well as a few architectural masterpieces such as the Château de la Croé and the Villa Eilenroc.

This is a lovely, easy walk for the whole family in autumn to admire the magnificent colours of the leaves or in summer to enjoy the cool shade of the woods.

A very pretty little hike. Walk through beautiful undergrowth, descend into a deep valley, discover the remains of an old mine, cross a river and reach a magnificent waterfall.

This lovely little walk, via the Riou trail, will take you to the banks of a pretty river, La Cagne. Young and old alike can enjoy the deep pools and waterfalls. A geographical curiosity. A very beautiful spot. 23/04/2024: The hike is only accessible up to point 3 due to work being carried out after heavy rain.

Easy circular hike leaving from Rague port. The hike starts by climbing up towards Mont Thurney at the entrance to the Estérel, then going downhill through a dry valley then a forest (eucalyptus and then pine trees) before reaching San Peyre and its 360° orientation table (panoramic view over the Îles de Lérins, Cannes bay and the Mercantour). Go down through Napoule and then take the coastal path alongside the château until you reach Raguette and Rague beaches.

Just a few minutes from the centre of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, this circuit takes you on a tour of part of the Estérel massif, offering breathtaking 360° views! Best done on a clear day, when you might even be able to see Corsica!

A double loop in a landscape combining heath, karst plateau and numerous dry stone terraces. The climb up the two baous offers exceptional views of the coastline from Cap Ferrat to Cap d'Antibes... not to mention the view of the hinterland from the Baou de Saint-Jeannet with the Saint-Barnabé plateau, the Cherion Massif and the peaks of the Mercantour between the Argentera and Mont Bégo. Return via the Plateau du Baou, where you can discover two drystone shelters.

An easy hike in spring or autumn. At the top of the Baou, there is a magnificent view of the French Riviera with a very accurate orientation table to identify the points along the coast and the surrounding peaks.

Short circular walk behind Théoule with beautiful views of the sea, the Pré-Alpes d'Azur and the Mercantour. There are lots of mimosas at the start and finish, so the ideal time to do this walk is in February. No particular difficulties, the paths are a little stony, as is the case everywhere in the Estérel, so good shoes are recommended.

This hike at the gateway to the Estérel towards the Pointes de l'Esquillon and de l'Aiguille offers a varied programme: it starts among the mimosas, passes by the Notre-Dame-d'Afrique memorial and then near the Palais Bulles (by Pierre Cardin). View of the coastline above the Pointe de l'Esquillon, climb back up through the eucalyptus trees before descending towards the Gulf of La Napoule at the Pointe de l'Aiguille and returning to Théoule via the beach of the same name.

A magnificent view of the Esterel mountains, then the bay of Théoule, Mandelieu and Cannes.

Another route providing access to the ruins of Castellaras and Lac de Thorenc follows part of the existing circuit on Visorando. It starts from the D5, at a place called La Pinée, and is just as interesting. I have classified this route as difficult due to its orientation and length. It is advisable to bring a suitable tool for this route.