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Alpes Maritimes
From the Alps to the Mediterranean
Back to Routes
View along the coast to Monaco
Above La Brigue
View from the cafe at Granile
Rocky mountain stream
Above Sospel
On the way to Notre Dame des Fontaines
Menton
View from St Agnes
Below Granile
Tende circuit
Customer Feedback
Richard Hart
"We trust you. This is our second trip with On Foot and we feel that everything is very organized and your staff are very very good at what they do. They offer a personal touch that you just don't get with other operators." November 2018
more testimonialsTravellers Reviews
More independent feedback
At a glance
Alpes Maritimes 7-night option (6 days walking). The standard version of the walk. Add extra nights in Menton to celebrate the end.
How much walking?
Full days: 12-17km per day, 4.5-7 hrs walking
Using shortening options: 7-16km per day, 3-6 hrs walking
Villages perchés to Belle Epoque Menton
After a spectacular railway journey from Nice, you reach the medieval village of La Brigue offering the chance to walk its fascinating winding alleyways past old town houses. Explore the villages perchés high above the Roya valley and the town of Saorge, which climbs steeply up the valley side. Visit the ancient towns of Breil and Sospel and stay in the astonishing mountain-top village of Ste. Agnès, with views across to the Mediterranean. Finally arrive in Menton itself, Belle Epoque faded splendour now restored to its former glory, and a stroll down the promenade before dining well in one of its restaurants. This route can be walked as a medium-hard walk or, using shortening options, as a medium graded one, and the route is well signed.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Mary and Debbie
Self-guiding introduction by Richard Petitjean (subject to his availability) – accompanying you on your first one or two walking days, or guiding services for whole walking route.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews of this route submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit AITO.com.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to France, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
Route Highlights
- The “villages perchés” of the Roya valley
- Dramatic alpine scenery
- The flora of the Gorge de Bévéra
- Painted chapels and Renaissance altarpieces
- Chamois, ibex, moufflons, boars, birds of prey
- The Belle Epoque charms of Menton
- Saorge, its winding alleys and underground passages
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Coast, Mountains, Villages and farms
We Recommend
Extra nights in Menton by the sea front, just to relax...
Eating and Drinking
At La Brigue expect Tarte Brigueaise (naturally), fried courgette flowers, bresaola, warm goats’ cheese, Nicoise stew, aioli provencale, cuttlefish (seiche) cooked with onions, celery, tomato puree…. the cuisine on this route is very southern (seiche, garlic, nicoise, provencale), but with a nod to the mountains (stews, mushrooms, goats cheese) and with a pinch of Italy (bresaola, cacciatore).
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: 7-16km per day, 3-6 hrs walking
Paths mainly marked, with numbered signposts, though careful attention to the route directions required; some steeper paths on days 2-3. Highest point on route: 1,050m. Some narrow paths with drops may worry the acrophobic.
Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 670m (350m-980m) per day.
Medium: CUSs 450m (50m-620m) per day using shortening options where available and doing Sospel town exploration rather than full Sospel Circuit.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: April, May, September, October
Other possible months: June, July, August (but please note that our hotel in Menton cannot accept one-night stays between mid-July and mid-August)
Enjoy the Alpes Maritimes in April and May for the spring flowers and in September and October for the warm seas. You can, however, walk throughout the summer as the mountain air is cooling though, as you near the coast, the temperature rises.
Please note that during the Monaco Grand Prix in mid/late May, the hotels we use in Menton are fully booked, and we cannot therefore offer the route for dates which would end around this time (see calendar).
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Breil-sur-Roya
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in La Brigue
We recommend the railway journey from Nice as a mini-highlight, as much looping inside the mountain as clinging to the side of the valley. Freshen up, wander round the old village and eat well tonight.
OPTION: For those arriving early at La Brigue we have two suggestions. Either try the Tende Circuit: Over the hill to the old town to get lost in its maze of medieval alleys (4¼ hrs, 10¾ km, CUSs 540m) or a shorter walk to Notre Dame des Fontaines - a 3-hour stroll (9 km, CUSs 400m) to a splendid chapel with well-restored frescoes.
Day 2 - La Brigue to Fontan
A steepish walk through woodland to the hamlet of Granile (a good stop for a picnic). An afternoon through magical leafy glades far above the Roya to the villages perchés of Berghe, before returning down to the Roya at Fontan and then catching an early evening train back to La Brigue. (Medium-hard: 6 hrs, 16 km, CUSs 620m – plus a visit to Saorge if you are missing out tomorrow’s walk below for any reason.)
Day 3 - Fontan to Breil
From La Brigue, take a train back to Fontan Gare and, from the station, wind up the old corniche to unforgettable Saorge, where you may be tempted to stay for an early lunch before a choice of two quite tough walks to the old town of Breil. (Shorter option – medium : 3 hrs, 7 km, CUSs 450m, longer option via GR52a – medium-hard : 7 hrs, 16 km, CUSs 1030m)
Day 4 - Breil to Sospel
Up onto the valley sides again to the hilltop village of Piène Haute for lunch, then the Sentier Botanique of the Gorge de Bévéra before arriving at the medieval town of Sospel. (Medium: 4½ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 500m).
Day 5 - Sospel
A chance to explore the little town of Sospel in more depth with the aid of an excellent guide book (included), or try our highly-recommended 19km circular walk high up in the hills with some stunning views towards the Italian border. If you fancy something a little shorter, then take our morning or afternoon walk to Mount Agaisen and its fortifications forming part of the Maginot line. (Medium-hard: 7 hrs, 17 km, CUSs 800m. Shorter option medium: 2½ hours)
Day 6 - Sospel to Ste. Agnès
Through the Mediterranean woodlands to the Col de Castillon for a picnic, then along forest tracks to a final thrilling approach up a cobbled path to Ste. Agnès, high above the Mediterranean. (Medium-hard: 5½ hrs, 13 km, CUSs 750m). Alternative – taxi ride plus 2½ hrs (easy).
Day 7 - Ste. Agnès to Roquebrune (and Menton)
Your final walking day along the mountainside to the beautiful vieux village of Roquebrune where we recommend a celebratory lunch in one of the village restaurants, overlooking the Mediterranean, and a train to Menton or (if you’re still in walking mood) a stroll along the seaside path of Cap Martin, the full promenade of Menton, and your comfortable hotel. (Medium: 4 hrs, 11 km to Roquebrune Gare. 5 hrs, 16 km to Menton, CUSs 450m).
Alternatively use the fine old mule track straight down to Menton, giving yourself more time to explore this fascinating old resort. (2 hrs, easy)
Final day
Depart for home – or maybe spend an extra night in this lovely old resort?
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airport is Nice. Intercontinental flights use Paris – overnight stays advisable. Then either TGV train or domestic flight onwards to Nice.
Land by: Nice 15:00 for public transport connections to La Brigue (c. 3½ hrs) – later arrivals possible with train/short taxi (~€40) OR stay a night in Nice if arriving late (see Where you’ll stay and Prices)
Return flight earliest: 11:00 for airport bus service from Menton (c.1 hr)
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “Getting to start” below for transfer information.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: La Brigue
Finish: Menton
Typical rail journey: via Paris from London: Eurostar to Paris (N), transfer by RER to Gare de Lyon, then TGV to Nice and local train from there to La Brigue. ~10 hrs excluding crossing Paris.
via Lille from London (avoiding crossing Paris): Eurostar to Lille, transfer to TGV direct to Nice. Then onto a local train from Nice to La Brigue if you arrive before 19.30, or stay at our hotel in Nice ~10.5 hrs
Menton to London via Paris: TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon, change to Paris N for Eurostar to London St Pancras International. ~ 11hrs.
Look at www.seat61.com/France for times and other information on the stretch from London to Nice/Menton to London; visit www.bahn.de for local trains from Nice to La Brigue, or if your French is up to it, www.ter-sncf.com (you need the Rhone Alpes department and ‘Fiches/horaires’ after that, choosing ’05 Nice-Breil’).
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in the village of La Brigue, and the last on the coast in Menton. Transfer times and methods are suggested for Nice airport below. For train arrival transfers see below.
NICE AIRPORT:
Outward: Bus then train: 3½ hrs. Allow 2 hrs from touchdown at Nice airport to train departure time from Nice-Ville. Flight arrivals after 13:00 will require train to Breil then taxi (~€40). For train times (Nice-Ville to La Brigue) on your day of arrival check the website: www.ter-sncf.com OR stay a night at the beginning in Nice for a more relaxed start (see Where you’ll stay and Prices).
Return: Airport bus from outside hotel 1-1½ hrs OR taxi the whole way from Menton hotel to Nice airport: 40 mins
Transfers from train stations:
Outward: La Brigue. (Short walk or lift to first hotel)
Return: Menton. (20 mins walk or short taxi ride from last hotel to station)
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Starting in La Brigue, you’ll stay in a welcoming, family-run hotel right on the village square – and the food receives consistently good reviews too. Our pension in Breil has recently been refurbished and the chambres d’hotes we have selected in Sospel are charming, with excellent locally sourced food, friendly hosts and good rooms. In Ste Agnès, you’ll stay in small, basic rooms dotted throughout the village (the St Yves restaurant for dinner that night is good) and, finally, to your beachfront hotel in Menton which receives great feedback from our clients who enjoy a special treat at the end of their holiday.
For late arrivals a night in Nice may be necessary at the start – see the bottom of this page.
Night 1 & 2
La Brigue – La Fleur des Alpes (dinner, B&B)
Family-run restaurant with simple rooms. Charming welcome and excellent menu.
Night 4 & 5
Sospel – Chambres d’hotes (Dinner, B&B/B&B)
A superb trio of rural chambres d'hotes, each with their own special character, charming hosts and the guarantee of a good dinner. Some with pool.
Night 6
Ste Agnès – Le Saint Yves (B&B)
Bustling restaurant (and great views from the terrace) with simple rooms below and across the village.
Night 7
Menton – Hotel Princess et Richmond (B&B)
Right on the promenade overlooking the sea, a family-run hotel of quality in the best position in town.
La Brigue – La Fleur des Alpes (dinner, B&B)
Family-run restaurant with simple rooms. Charming welcome and excellent menu.
Breil – La Bonne Auberge (dinner, B&B)
Popular auberge in heart of town with excellent restaurant.
Website
Sospel – Chambres d’hotes (Dinner, B&B/B&B)
A superb trio of rural chambres d'hotes, each with their own special character, charming hosts and the guarantee of a good dinner. Some with pool.
Sospel – Auberge Provencal (B&B)
Typical auberge above town with great views and a good restaurant.
Website
Ste Agnès – Le Saint Yves (B&B)
Bustling restaurant (and great views from the terrace) with simple rooms below and across the village.
Menton – Hotel Princess et Richmond (B&B)
Right on the promenade overlooking the sea, a family-run hotel of quality in the best position in town.
Website
Nice – Hotel Durante:
Walkers transferring via Nice may need a night there if the flight or train times don’t work with the local trains. We can book you a night in the Hotel Durante, a simple hotel near the station for convenience. Feedback has been of the “fine – good value” variety
Prices
Total 7 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 4 picnics and 3 evening meals, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement: From £225
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement: From £165
Larger Party Saving (LTS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £25 per person
Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Extra nights possible throughout the route: Contact On Foot for ideas and prices
Further night B&B at end of holiday in Menton: Prices vary with season and room type. Contact us
Nights in Nice: Contact On Foot Holidays
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK and Ireland: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
Guiding by Richard Petitjean (priced per group): Price on application
Arrange locally – Local train/bus/taxi as required
Customer Feedback
Richard Hart
"We trust you. This is our second trip with On Foot and we feel that everything is very organized and your staff are very very good at what they do. They offer a personal touch that you just don't get with other operators." November 2018
more testimonialsTravellers Reviews
Everything was wonderful and we had a fantastic time!!
The wildflowers were in bloom everywhere and were one of the highlights of each walk. I particularly loved the hike from Breil to Sospel with the varying terrains, olive groves, transition from Alpine to Mediterranean terrain and flora, and the river near the end. We also loved exploring the wonderful ancient perched villages.
Joseph Kravitz, Pittsfield, USA - June 2019
The daily routes and the scenery were outstanding. We loved each and every day of hiking. We loved being introduced to this part of Europe. It's a beautiful walk.
We loved walking past wild thyme and rosemary, all the food, and exploring Menton and Nice after the hike was over. And we saw a wild boar!
Jane and Paul Kelley, San Diego, USA - April 2019
Pina and her husband have a wonderful home and treated us to a fantastic dinner.
All the breakfast pastries were stunning. I still regret the pain au chocolat I did not eat there.
Sandy Davis, Colorado, USA - October 2018
I loved the route, the history and the length of the trip (we did 8 nights).
This was a fabulous trip. It was challenging and rewarding. Excellent route notes, outstanding views, wonderful history, lovely people all contributed to a perfect vacation.
Susan Boston, Vermont, USA - September 2018
One of the most memorable trips we've taken.
The scenery was beautiful and the trails were challenging but very doable. It was fun to see a new part of the world, and thought the amount and difficulty of the hiking each day was perfect. Also loved the change of scenery from the mountains to the riviera.
Tanya Jarvis, Del Mar, USA - September 2018
This was our best walking holiday ever!
The fine weather helped, but every day was a delight - panoramic mountain and coastal views, wonderful medieval villages, well-maintained footpaths, butterflies galore, fantastic local cuisine, delightful hosts.... I could carry on....
Russell George, Berkshire, UK - August 2018
Thank you for the wonderful experience and for all your help and support. We found the materials for guiding us to be very good, and the support in France was excellent.
The routes were excellent - we had to pinch ourselves repeatedly to be sure that we were not dreaming the intense beauty of the surroundings. We were tired, footsore, hot and delightedly happy at the end of every day.
Erin O'Farrell, Toronto, Canada - July 2018
We really enjoyed the butterflies, flowers and herbs.
The last walk was a very good finish, with a wonderful section on the last hill with three types of swallowtail, fritillaries, white admirals, two tailed pashas.
Peter and Helen Jones, Cornwall, UK, June 2018
Route designed by:
Richard Petitjean
Richard came to the Côte d’Azur to study tourism and has lived here for 30 years working as a licensed Tour Guide. Since 60% of the French flora is represented in this area, Richard’s keen interest in botany is put to the best possible use.
