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

Starting from the hilltop village of Bar-sur-Loup, you will walk along the buried Loup Canal, which supplies the village with water, then along the Foulon Aqueduct (through narrow passages through a dozen tunnels), which supplies drinking water to the Grasse region. Along the route, there are some beautiful views of the Gorges and the Loup Valley, the eagle's nest village of Gourdon and a passage next to a magnificent waterfall on the Riou de Gourdon. Work in progress, see § practical information.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.