Côte d'Azur walks: enjoy the autumn colours in the hinterland
Circuit du Bois d’Anelle
Starting from Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, set off to explore the circuit du Bois d’Anelle. This 4h hike promises a bucolic visit to the plateau d’Anelle, a name derived from the Provençal “agnel”, meaning “lamb”. And this meaning has real meaning! Because along your hike, you’ll come across numerous alpine pasture barns built from larch wood. They were once used to house precious cattle feed in preparation for the long winters.
If you’re planning a hike with a medium level of difficulty, the circuit du Bois d’Anelle is perfect! Following the route of the GR®5, it will take you through the magnificent fir and spruce forest. It’s the perfect moment to let yourself be transported by the beauty that surrounds you, while being intoxicated by the woody fragrance and damp earth. The experience is enough to plunge you into the deep soul of the undergrowth.
On the north side of the cime d’Anelle, several escapes will take you to the mountains on the border of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Italian region of Piedmont. Including Mount Ténibre, the highest point of the upper Tinée, which majestically dominates the entire valley from the top of its3,031 metres.
Circuit de Couletta
Starting from Rimplas, the Couletta circuit is a relatively easy loop hike. Lasting 3.5 hours, and with an ascent of around 400 metres, the walk will give you a bird’s eye view of the village of Rimplas and its military fort, which is part of the Maginot line.
All along the way, you’ll cross some magnificent viewpoints over the Tinée valley. Deep ravines, red pelites, hilltop villages and, in the distance, the larch forests of the Mercantour with their autumn foliage are just some of the remarkable views awaiting you on this hike.
On the way back down, you’ll admire the authentic villages of the Valdeblore, particularly that of the Colmiane, where the largest zip-line in France nestles!
Hiking in the Vésubie valley
Mont Péla and the charme-houblon forest
Starting from Belvedere, it’s quite a demanding hike that awaits you this time! The Mont Péla hike and the charme-houblon forest takes place in a forest where the Mediterranean world meets the first foothills of the Alps.
Lasting a total of 6h, you’ll set off to discover a special tree endemic to the Alpes-Maritimes and Corsica: the charme-houblon. Favoured by dry climates, this species is found only in the far south-east of France. Characteristic of shady slopes that lie between 300 and 1,000 metres in altitude, it takes its name from its fruit, which resembles that of the hop.
Arriving at the summit of Mont Péla, your efforts will be rewarded by discovering a magnificent panorama over the villages and ridges of the valley.
Tour de la Calmette
It’s from the col de Turini, perched at 1,604 metres above sea level, that the Tour de la Calmette adventure begins! The approximately 10-kilometre loop circuit alternates between balcony sections and forest trails with exceptional views from the crests of La Calmette. From the Turini site to the Peïra-Cava resort, you’ll be transported to the heart of the autumn colours of the immense forest of pines, spruces and firs, while criss-crossing the cool, clear watershed between the Vésubie and Bévéra.
This hike will also delight you if you like to go mushroom picking! Finally, by taking this famous Col de Turini, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the rallye de Monte-Carlo. Indeed, this mythical pass is very famous in the world of motoring! The roads leading to its summit include numerous twists and turns that will take you to magnificent viewpoints, such as the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Hiking in the Roya valley
Les oiveraies de Breil à Piène-Haute
Destination Breil-sur-Roya to discover a little corner of unspoilt paradise at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park. The oliveraies de Breil à Piène-Haute hike is a magnificent balcony route through olive grove country. It combines a grandiose natural setting with the Baroque heritage typical of the Vallée des Merveilles. The route takes you over the Roya and Bévéra valleys to Piène-Haute. This wonderful hilltop village is home to around sixty people. Piène-Haute is a village full of character, with a listed Baroque church and narrow, colourful streets typical of the perched villages of the Côte d’Azur. Situated at the top of a rocky spur, this eagle’s nest village will give you a bird’s eye view of the Roya valley. Taking 5 hours round trip, this trail known as the “Villages perchés” will take you through olive groves, chestnut and conifer forests. All your senses will be awakened by these breathtaking landscapes!
Château-fort de Malmort
Starting in Saorge, a 3h30 loop will take you to the splendid Château-fort de Malmort. This hike is a true communion between nature and culture. The path climbs gradually through the forest to reach the rocky spur of the Château-fort de Malmort.
The fortress, the ruins of which you can discover, served as a strategic point for defending access to the upper Roya for several centuries. In fact, Saorge was once defended by three castles: Malemort, Saint-Georges (destroyed in 1794) and Salines (above the village, of which you can see the ramparts). The fortified castle of Malmort, mentioned as early as the 13th century, was part of a defensive system locking off the Roya valley under the domination of the House of Savoy.
This walk has everything to appeal to lovers of history and nature! Along the way, you’ll be overwhelmed by the shimmering green, orange and reddish colours that blend with an authentic heritage. The brightness of autumn provides striking contrasts of light and shadow, which are also projected onto the majestic mountains of the Roya valley and the Caïros valley.
Hiking in the Cians and Daluis gorges
Circuit des granges d’Ars
East of the village of Beuil, the circuit des granges d’Ars is a moment of pure escape on the beautiful Beuil plateaux. Lasting 3.5 hours, this loop between Beuil and the Col de La Couillole will transport you to the Ars barns, passing the Creuset barns and vast sinkholes. The trail will take you to the last ruined barns in the Conchas valley, before climbing back up to the Col Saint-Pierre and its watering holes, which rise to an altitude of 1,712 metres. These plateaux were very early pastoral land. In fact, during your hike, you may come across one or more patous, one of the breeds most often used to protect flocks from predators! Because to accompany them, breeders and shepherds still have to use guard dogs to dissuade any intruders from approaching.
If you see one, go around it! Don’t forget that his job is to watch over his flock relentlessly!
Circuit d’Amen
Finally, from Guillaume, the circuit d’Amen is a balcony route in the red pelites of the réserve naturelle régionale des Gorges du Daluis. More seasoned hikers can embark on this 6h round trip hike. This magnificent circuit will take you to discover the hamlet of Amen, which is probably one of the last hamlets not served by a road.
A veritable sentinel in the heart of the red lands, it retains the memory of a self-sufficient existence once led there by generations of miners and farmers. The route through the valleys is sure to catch the eye of photographers, as the scenery is so fabulous! The route passes above the ruined house of La Vigière and takes you into a lush natural setting, where the scents and colours of autumn mingle. After rounding a ridge, you get a broad view of the Daluis gorges, the first nature reserve in the Alpes-Maritimes to be classified.
AUTUMN ON THE CÔTE D'AZUR ALSO MEANS :
