The Mercantour National Park is the privileged place for long hikes. - Mercantour

  • The health crisis linked to the coronavirus should favor tourism in France during the next weekends and this summer.
  • To inspire you a bit for your holidays, "20 Minutes" has chosen five hikes or bicycle tours to discover around Nice.

After almost two months of confinement it is time to ventilate the body and mind. While the government has announced that the holidays should take place mainly in France, 20 Minutes has put together a list of hikes and walks to do near you, in Nice and its surroundings.

Breathtaking views of Mont des Merveilles in the Parc du Mercantour

The Mont des Merveilles, Mercantour National Park, (Alpes-Maritimes) - Mercantour

Better to be a good walker to cover eight kilometers of hiking and discover the Mont des Merveilles, located between the valley of the same name and the valley of La Gordolasque. To get there, the departure is from the Pont du Countet, 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Nice.

You will walk for 5 h 30 with elevation differences up to 2,600 meters above sea level. On the program: breathtaking views of the lakes and peaks of the Mercantour ... And if you are a little lucky you can meet chamois and marmots.

In the footsteps of the emperor, the Route from Napoleon to Grasse

Located in the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Natural Park in Grasse, the Route de Napoléon will take you in the footsteps of Emperor Napoleon I, more than two centuries later. You will discover a 165 km long hiking area connecting Grasse to Sisteron You decide how far you can go. This hike can also be done by bike or mountain bike.

Between land and sea, the Estérel coastal paths

The coastal paths of L'Estérel. - Saint-Raphaël Tourist Office

On foot and by bike, the paths of the Estérel coast are to be traveled to soak up the contrast between the Mediterranean Sea and the Estérel massif. Over more than 200 km, two routes are possible.

The first is the path between Les Issambres and Saint-Aygulf. This route represents approximately 7.5 km. A little longer, the hike from Saint-Raphaël starts from Port Santa Lucia to the tip of Beaumette, in Aguay. A walk of about 11 km.

Cascades and waterfalls to discover by bike in the Gorges du Loup

Les gorges du Loup, Alpes-Maritimes - La Colle sur Loup Tourist Office

It is a route to cycle. Over a distance of more than 66 km, hikers must be well prepared to explore the Haut Pays and its Loup gorges. Impressive cascades and waterfalls await you.

This route will take you through the famous Courmes waterfall, known as “the petrifying”, but also through the medieval village of Gréolières and its two castles. The route des gorges du Loup allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Loup valley. This shady and winding bike route is perfect for summer.

In the shoes of a Paris-Nice runner at the Col de Vence

This circuit is taken from each Paris-Nice. This beautiful loop, starting from Saint Laurent du Var, will make you (re) discover the Provençal village of Bouyon, at the gates of the Estéron valley. You will then follow the river of the same name to the Col de Vence plateau and to Vence. A 74-kilometer route that will suit experienced hikers.

  • Covid 19
  • Coronavirus
  • Deconfinement
  • Summer holidays
  • Hiking
  • Nice