This 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
