Mercantour hiking: from the Southern Alps to the French Riviera trails

Short transfer to Breil. You leave Breil sur Roya by foot, giving you a wonderful panorama of the valley. There are two choices in paths above the village and we’ve chosen the one less travelled, following abandoned stone terraces, now dotted with olive trees. You reach the stunning ghost town of Piène Haute, more Italian than French, perched above the valley. Your path then takes you to Italy – to the colourful town of Olivetta – before returning France and to the town of Sospel. Sospel is a genuine and medieval mountain town with a n old stone toll bridge crossing the Brévera river.

Walk : Breil sur Roya > Sospel | 5h30 | 15 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +600m/-550m
Meals included : breakfast & dinner
Night : Sospel

A short transfer takes you to the Col de Castillon pass, where you are teased with views of the shining blue Med Sea. You follow a path under the shade of an ash forest and zigzag upward towards the watchtower of Mont Ours before the true panorama is laid out: the entire Riviera and even the island of Corsica in clear weather. The medieval town of Sainte Agnes sits perched like an eagle's nest between you and the sea.  Sainte Agnès is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, its narrow cobbled streets built over the centuries with massive granite blocks. Only 3km from the sea as the crow flies, and perched at 800m in altitude, Sainte Agnès is listed as Europe's highest coastline village.

Walk : Castillon pass > Sainte Agnes  | 4h | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +500m/-500m
Meals included : breakfast & dinner
Night : Saint Agnes

Starting from the perched village of Sainte Agnès, it is a steady climb over the Baudon pass. For 30 minutes you take a small mountain road with a panoramic view of the sea (this small road is not very busy with cars and is mostly used by cyclists). The summit of the Cime de Baudon offers an exceptional 360° view of the whole region and the surrounding mountain peaks: a very beautiful orientation table which allows you to see as far as the summit of the Sainte Beaume and the Alps.

Walk : Sainte Agnès > Cime de Baudon > Saint agnes  | 4h30 | 14 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +600m/-600m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic & dinner
Night : Saint Agnes

From St Agnes you hike down to Castellar.  With its quiet streets, sole grocery store, bar and two restaurants, it is a last bastion of tranquility before arriving on the Riviera. From Castellar you find an old path winding down, and soon you've reached a set of ancient steps set directly above the old village of Menton. Menton is rightfully listed as the prettiest town on the Riviera with colourful and very well restored homes, and with rich and interesting religious architecture. The microclimate around Menton, even more mild than the rest of the French Riviera, is favorable for growing citrus fruit. The local economy these days is based around high-end tourism, but the local lemons and lemon products are still to be found (including lemoncello).   
Free afternoon to discover the lovely coloured town of Menton, and to swim in the Med sea ! 

Walk : St Agnes > Castelar > Menton   | 4h30 | 14 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +250m/-950m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic 
Night : Menton

Today, you take the train in the morning ( not included ) to Villefranche sur mer. You drop your bag at the hotel and leave by foot to explore the famous Cap Ferrat cape : it’s a beautiful 3 hours coastal walk. You can also add a detour and walk around the Eastern 

Loop Walk : Saint Jean cap Ferrat cape | 3h | 11 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +100m/-100m
. Detour: walk around the eastern arm of the peninsula, add one hour.
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Villefranche

Today, you take the train in the morning to Eze. The perched, medieval village of Eze sits defiantly on a rocky spur, soaring high above the coastline. Today’s walk takes you on a well-maintained path from the coastline to Eze, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The narrow cobbled roads in Eze are worth exploring, while a fabulous cactus garden sits on the very top of the village. The entrance fee for the garden is 5€; and even if you aren’t a fan of succulents, the 360 degree views from the top are alone worth the entrance price. Train back to Villefranche

Loop Walk : Eze village | 2h30 | Elevation : +400m/-400m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Villefranche 

End of your trip after breakfast

Meals included : breakfast