The 9 most beautiful hiking tours in the Alpes-Maritimes

From Mercantour to Antibes to Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the Alpes-Maritimes are full of mountain views, picturesque villages and paradise beaches. So to discover this florilège d’horizons grandiose, put your most beautiful pair of hiking shoes and go to the assault of the trails!

If the coastal promenades of the Maritime Alps offer a sublime plurality of Mediterranean landscapes, you will find in the green highlands and magical valleys borrowed by the cows and marmots of the area. The department amazes us both by the diversity of its landscapes and its irresistible charism. Contrast, striking, but above all grand!

These are the characteristics of this department in which exoticism blends with mountainous landscapes. From the pleasant seaside walk to the sporting hike in the heart of the mountains, discover the 9 most beautiful trails to be made in the Alpes Maritimes.

1. The tower of Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The coastal promenade of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat represents a great classic to discover in the Maritime Alps. It will lead you to the old fishing village by a path along huge rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. With end-of-the-world airs, you will then be able to access beautiful, truly heavenly coves, it’s the perfect hike to enjoy an iodized break.

The course will allow you to observe 2 different Caps with a beautiful diversity of views on the tip of Sainte-Hospice and Cap-Ferrat. Between its beautiful landscapes and the ease of hiking, it is a must-see under a beautiful sunny day.

2. The Tour de L’Aiguille

At the gates of the Esterel, let us now discover the tower of the Aiguille and the points of the Esquillon. On the programme, the discovery of the famous Bulles Palace and the memorial of our Lady of Africa. You will also find on the trail grandiose views of the coast as well as secret and preserved coves.

This hike in the Alpes-Maritimes, easy and accessible in the heart of lush vegetation surrounded by mimosas, pine forests and eucalyptus, is to be consumed without moderation. Not to mention the best bonus : its beautiful beaches of fine sand, it’s paradise!

3. Lac Graveirette via the Col de Salèse

A resemblance to the Canada ? If the frame looks like it, you still find yourself in the heart of Mercantour National Park .

The hike we offer leads you to the edges of a limpid water reflecting its natural environment, the superb Graveirette Lake. Few known hikers, this preserved trail of crowds envelops you in a calm and soothing green setting. Easy and within the reach of all, its only "difficult" resides on the portion allowing you to access the Salese collar deemed long enough.

This hike in the Alpes-Maritimes is absolutely worth a visit, especially for its magnificent views, it is the route to be realized if you want to discover a wild and preserved Mercantour.

4. The Cap d’Antibes

Let’s go back to the coast, to enjoy the sumptuous Cap d’Antibes. Featuring a breathtaking view, this hike in the Alpes-Maritimes makes you realize a beautiful, atypical and easy-to-use loop. Along the coast, you can discover quite exceptional panoramas, especially on sumptuous villas.

But the trail does not sum up to this and also represents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the seabed or simply to stay in the sun on the beach of the False Silver. On the course, various coves will also allow you to enjoy a picnic break in this exceptional place. Easy and efficient, this is the safe value for all.

5. La Madone and the Prals Lakes

To discover the whole splendor of Mercantour, it is in the Lakes of Prals that you have to go. The circuit to discover the 5 lakes is simply sublime, wild and with an impressive fauna and flora.

With exceptional views of the lakes, but also the presence of marmots and chamois, this hike in the Alpes-Maritimes represents an emblematic landscape of the national park.

Short but grandiose, it’s the ideal if you have little time to mess up in the Mercantour. The course can be undertaken on the arrival of summer as during the first snows. It’s a Mercantour to discover without waiting!

6. Lake Millefonts and Mount Pépoiri

Without leaving the Mercantour National Park, let us now head to Lake Millefonts and Mount Pépoiri. This superb hike in the Alpes-Maritimes will lead you to 5 different lakes in the park. Easy and accessible, it will offer you superb views of the valley of Molières as well as the different lakes in the heart of the valley.

The course also leads you to realize the ascent of Mount Pépoiri culminating at 2,674 meters above sea level. And a superb 360° panorama awaits you at the top with a view of the Vallée des Merveilles to the Franco-Italian line. Without a major break, the hike will offer you stunning landscapes in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.

7. The Valley of the Wonders

You can't finish this selection without talking about the famous Merveilles valley. With its thousands of rock engravings engraved in the rock, more than a historical hike, this route would almost become an initiatory rite, a journey in time dating back to 2,500 years before our era.

With the alteration of the centuries as well as the glacial retreat, you will then find a great diversity of the rock with green, orange and violet hues. To make this journey in time, you will then have to cross the valley of the Minière, a refreshing undergrowth from which you can see the cows enjoying their pasture.

Through your ascent, green fields will give way to the mineral landscape of the Valley of the Wonders. And if the denial of the hike remains present, it remains balanced on the entire course. The only real difficulty in the route lies in its duration (21.9 kilometers).

The ideal would then be to cut your day in half to reduce the effort. And it falls well, a refuge is located in the middle of this unreal atmosphere, allowing you to make a refreshing stop or enjoy a night in the middle of nature. In summary you can't leave the Mercantour National Park without going to explore its Merveilles Valley.

8. The Gorges du Loup

We change the mood, direction the impressive Loup Gorges. This original hike slips you into the skin of an explorer. To reach the Gorges and its stunts, you will then have to go along the Foulon aqueduct and cross narrow tunnels.

And the game is worth the candle, at the key you will access beautiful landscapes on the Loup Valley and attend a real water show. Do not hesitate to plan a swimsuit in order to enjoy a little time of swimming in its natural swimming pools. If the route is atypical, this hike in the Alpes-Maritimes remains simple and accessible to all.

9. La Petite Boucle des Lacs de Vens

Finish this selection with a natural gem of the Mercantour National Park: the Vens Lakes. This superb hike in the Alpes-Maritimes will offer you a majestic view of Mont Viso and the Bonnette. With a wide variety of views, the route provides access to the most beautiful landscapes of the region while maintaining a progressive and regular denial.

And with a bit of luck, you may cross marmots, blouses and chamois on your way. It is one of these hikes that marvels with its breathtaking landscapes, a 360° paradise.