©Isabelle Fabre
On the Grande Randonnée (GR®) trails
The GR®51 trail:
Balcons de la Méditerranée
The GR®51 “Balcons de la Méditerranée” trail is a hiking trail that runs east to west through the Alpes-Maritimes, Var and Bouches-du-Rhône. It lies parallel to the Azur coast and takes in part of the E7 European long distance (Zagreb-Lisbon). It spans the first ridge lines from Menton to Théoule-sur-Mer above the coast before delving into nature and venturing into the Calanques National Park.
The perfect hike to soak up the Mediterranean hinterland. The Big Blue in all its majesty is your guide on this walk as you wander through hilltop villages and dive down towards the Cassis and Marseille coves.
The GR®52A trail:
Panoramique du Mercantour
The GR®52A “Panoramique du Mercantour” point-to-point hiking trail takes you from Limone Piemonte to Colmars. It’s popular for camping and trekking.
The path runs along a river from Col de Tende on the Franco-Italian border. Hike through Mercantour National Park among mid-mountain ranges.
The trail introduces you to six valleys in the Upper Valley: Tende and La Brigue, the Lascaris family’s kingdoms, Saorge overlooking Roya Valley, Roure and its red stones, Entraunes and its farming heritage and, last but not least Colmars and its fortifications.
The GR®52 trail:
Grande traversée du Mercantour
The GR®52 hiking trail runs through the Alpes-Maritimes and Mercantour National Park via the Mont Bégo archaeological cave art area (Valley of Wonders), listed as a Monument Historique since 1989.
The route from Saint-Dalmas in Valdeblore to Menton takes you through Le Boréon, La Madone de Fenestre, Vésubie Valley, the Valley of Wonders, Roya Valley, Granges du Colonel and Sospel. NB: the trail is ranked as very challenging due to the steep and hilly nature of the environment.
The first half brings you fabulous mountain flora and fauna before you drink in the Azur views in the southern half.
From Boréon to Refuge de Nice
This is the toughest but prettiest part of the GR® trail where you’re bound to meet the local chamois, marmots and Alpine ibex.
When hiking
meets history
How can you not be excited by proof of human life in the Mont Bégo valleys? 40,000 rock engravings from around 3300BC cover 17km² of an incredible earthy environment!
The GR®510 trail:
Sentier des 8 vallées
The GR®510 “Sentier des 8 vallées” hiking trail seeps you in the Alpes-Maritimes visiting Breil-sur-Roya, Sospel, Villars-sur-Var, Puget-Théniers, Roquesteron, Escragnolles and Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne.
Walk ancient paths that connected towns in the Middle Valley. The trail is so-called because it runs through 8 valleys: Roya, Bévéra, Vésubie, Tinée, Cians, Var, Estéron and Siagne.
It’s not that well-known but it’s worth doing for its diverse and unexpected scenery.
To reach the Roya Valley
- Roya Valley Access
Having been severely impacted by Storm Alex, the Roya Valley and its villages are now ready to welcome you this summer! Road and rail links have been developed to offer you the best possible experience.
