Wandelgids Walking in Provence - East | Cicerone Guidebooks

his guide offers 30 circular day walks in the eastern half of Provence, the large sun-kissed coastal region of south-east France. Spanning from the red rocks in the Ésterel on the Mediterranean to high mountains inland, the walks are set in the areas of the Alpes Maritimes, the Alpes de Haute-Provence and the Mercantour.

Provence’s sunshine and Mediterranean charm attract many visitors to its coast, yet the area also has much more to offer the walker. The countryside inland boasts a range of scenery from remote mountaintops to spectacular gorges. History is everywhere, in medieval villages, arcaded streets, abbeys, churches and castles. 

 

This guide covers the eastern regions, with its companion volume, Walking in Provence: West, covering the rest of this fascinating and historic landscape. The walking is incredibly diverse, and explores the country that hugs the Côte d'Azur and Italian border. The Alpes Maritimes rise craggy and wild above towns as unique as Grasse, Cannes and Monaco. The Mercantour National Park in contrast is a partially uninhabited area of high mountains, alpine lakes and red rock gorges known for its wildlife. Further north in the Alpes de Haute-Provence is a largely unspoilt geological playground, including such spectacles as the Verdon Gorge with villages and ancient sites throughout.

 

Suitable for all walkers of average fitness levels, the walks range from 4 to 21 kilometres in length, and are graded for difficulty from short, easy routes to more challenging walks that can include precipitous sections, but no special equipment is needed.

30 day walks in the Alpes Maritimes, Alpes de Haute-Provence and Mercantour in the sunny south-east corner of France

walks illustrated with clear sketch maps and height profiles, as well as inspiring photographs

all the practical information required for a perfect trip from public transport to maps and market days

Seasons

walks near the coast can be made at any time of the year, but the high trails in the Mercantour are restricted to snow-free months in summer and autumn

 

Centres

Vence and Grasse (Alpes Maritimes); Digne-les-Bains and Castellane (Alpes de Haute-Provence); Guillaumes and the Val d'Entraunes (Mercantour)

 

Difficulty

circular day walks, suitable for averagely fit people and graded Easy, Medium or Difficult, depending on length, total ascent and terrain; easy walks are short, while difficult ones take up to eight hours and may include sections which are precipitous or difficult to navigate; no special equipment is needed.

 

Must See

dramatic mountain ridges, alpine lakes and deep river gorges; perched medieval villages, ruined castles and churches; the red rocks in the Estérel on the Mediterranean coast to high mountains in the Mercantour

 

Wandelingen

Alpes Maritimes

Walk 1 Baou des Noirs and Baou des Blancs

Walk 2 Baou de St-Jeannet

Walk 3 Chemin du Paradis

Walk 4 Pic de Courmettes and Puy de Tourrettes

Walk 5 Baou de St-Jean

Walk 6 The Route Napoléon

Walk 7 Vallée de la Siagne

Walk 8 Pic du Cap Roux

Walk 9 Estérel Circuit and Lac de l’Ecureuil

Walk 10 Mont Vinaigre

 

Alpes de Haute-Provence

Location of Walks

Walk 11 Three Chapels Walk from Digne-les-Bains

Walk 12 Walk in the Réserve Géologique

Walk 13 Bigue du Siron

Walk 14 The Cousson

Walk 15 The Cucuyon

Walk 16 Rochers des Mées

Walk 17 Gorges de Trévans

Walk 18 The Verdon Gorge – Sentier Blanc-Martel

Walk 19 Lower Verdon Gorge

Walk 20 Sommet de Crémon

 

Mercantour

Location of Walks

Walk 21 Moulin de la Barlatte

Walk 22 Plateau de la Lare from Sauze

Walk 23 Gorges de Daluis

Walk 24 Circuit from St-Martin d’Entraunes

Walk 25 Col des Champs from Entraunes

Walk 26 Lakes Circuit from the Col de la Cayolle

Walk 27 Mont Pelat

Walk 28 Circuit above Péone

Walk 29 Mont Mounier

Walk 30 Around Mont d’Auvare

Engelstalig