Hiking in Nice and the surrounding area

Peaks on the horizon and the Mediterranean as a backdrop… By its very nature, it’s true that Nice invites adventure. So if pissaladière and the Promenade des Anglais hold no secrets for you, trade in your moccasins for trainers. Our signposting and topographical guides will take you on the most beautiful hiking trails in Nice and the surrounding area.

Different landscapes to suit your fancy

Whether you prefer to lose yourself in nature or stay close to the city, a hike in Nice promises a moment of disconnection. Between the sea and the mountains, where the vibrant green of the cypress trees rubs shoulders with the reflections of the Mediterranean, there are few who won’t find something to suit their taste.

From headland to limestone cliff, from hackberry to yucca, a multitude of sensations overwhelm hikers step by step. The exceptional viewpoints that punctuate each route rival even the finest instagrammable photos of the historic centre!

So depending on your mood of the day, your personality or the party you’re leading, choose between hills and coastline, sun-drenched or shady paths. Waterfalls, relics or olive groves, it’s what the people of Nice call the king’s choice.

Ride around Nice on a mountain bike

806 metres. That’s the height of Mont Macaron, whose ridge overlooks the hills around Nice. A huge playground where technical trails and hairpin bends follow one another along a challenging mountain bike route.

There are also technical singles to be found at l’Escarène. This massif, just a stone’s throw from Nice, offers a demanding mountain bike circuit. A nice difference in altitude, grey rock to hold on to and breathtaking views: enough to delight experienced cyclists.

More into cycling and iodised air? Head for the Promenade des Anglais. Here, you can leave the challenge at home and enjoy a family outing lulled by the lapping of the water. All the way to the port of Marina Baie des Anges, 15 km of sparkling blue water awaits you: the perfect backdrop for a ride in Nice.

The Promenade Anglais is the perfect place for a family outing.

Go for a stroll along the Nice coastline

Setting off on the Cap de Nice tour means climbing numerous staircases carved out of the rock, rubbing shoulders with superb views of the coastline and unearthing tiny bays below. It’s a unusual way to discover Nice and the surrounding area!

Away from the city strolls in the heart of the Côte d’Azur capital, it’s the craggy countryside that sets the pace for your hike in Nice. If you’re aficionados of beautiful buildings, have no fear! The properties of Villefranche will satisfy your craving for pretty stones. This walking trail is an excellent way to combine urban, forest and maritime pleasures.

And if you’re one of those who swear by the seaside, there’s a good chance you’ll succumb to the idyllic charm of the coastal path. On the programme: blue as far as the eye can see, colourful villas and intimate coves.

Hiking trails for all levels

Experienced hikers or beginners, there’s something for everyone around Nissa la Bella.

For the former, enclosed gorges and steep paths offer a thousand and one ways to experience intense activities-and-sensations.

Meanwhile, the less adventurous souls are tempted by a gentle stroll along a footpath starting from the port of Beaulieu: a hike near Nice called La Petite Afrique. Here, discerning walkers linger over the orange and bougainvillea trees that litter the cliffs, while some take to the panoramic path before crossing the pine forest.

2 hours of pure Côte d’Azur!!

Our top 3 walks in and around Nice

At the turn of a path, from the hinterland of Nice to the Mediterranean, there’s more than one circuit to explore. A concentrate of Provence, where you can succumb to the song of the cicadas, a path lined with maritime pines… Nature is omnipresent, making you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. And here are our 3 favourites among the hiking trails near Nice:

1. The Tour du Vinaigrier

Start from the Saint-Roch district for an escape to the site of Mont Vinaigrier. From the olive grove overlooked by a cliff, to the summit opening onto the Rade de Villefranche and the Baie des Anges, words will no doubt fail you to describe this azure panorama.

Time: 2h25
Distance: 5.23 km
Difficulty: Medium

2. Gairaut Hill

Scored by olive trees, you will criss-cross Gairaut Hill populated by sublime villas. Among the treasures to be unearthed along the way, the breathtaking view over Nice is undoubtedly one of the most precious. Breathe in then breathe out!

Time: 1h50
Distance: 5.14 km
Difficulty: Easy

3. Mont Boron

Starting in Nice, the Mont Boron tour promises a wilderness discovery, flirting constantly with jagged coastline and forested landscapes. Cosy villas, Aleppo pines and carob trees provide the backdrop, while time seems to stand still. Keep your eyes peeled for a secret cove inviting you to laze around.