Other walking routes

Other hiking routes

Cross wild valleys, reach hilltop villages, walk in the footsteps of ancient Alpine routes or reach the mineral landscapes of the high mountains… Here, hiking takes on a whole new dimension.

From the mythical GR 52 to the Via Alpina, the major hiking routes through Menton, Riviera & Merveilles link the Mediterranean to the Alps through a mosaic of spectacular landscapes. Between sporting itineraries, mountain refuges and exceptional natural heritage, each trail becomes an immersion between France and Italy.

The GR 52, the emblematic route of the Vallée des Merveilles

A truly legendary route in the Alpes-Maritimes, the GR 52 crosses some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Mercantour. Between glacial lakes, high-altitude passes, mountain refuges and rocky chaos, this emblematic trail immerses hikers in an intense alpine experience, on the border between wild nature and ancient heritage.

The GR 52 is particularly famous for its passage through the famous Vallée des Merveilles, one of the largest rock carving sites in Europe. Here, more than 40,000 engravings dating back to the Bronze Age appear amidst mineral landscapes sculpted by glaciers, in an almost unreal atmosphere.

Every year, this unique experience of hiking the Valle delle Merveilles attracts mountain, roaming and wide open spaces enthusiasts. From Castérino or the Roya valley, there are several options for exploring the site by the day or over several stages, with panoramic views of the Mercantour peaks and the Southern Alps.

Along the way, the GR 52 criss-crosses a lively, unspoilt mountain landscape: larch forests, high mountain streams, hanging lakes and wild fauna accompany walkers in an area where silence and nature take centre stage.

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The Via Alpina, the great Alpine crossing between the Mediterranean and the high mountains

A major European adventure linking several Alpine countries, the Via Alpina crosses the Alps from Slovenia to the Mediterranean, covering thousands of kilometres.

On RivierALP territory, this emblematic route reveals all the diversity of the Southern Alps. From the wild valleys of the Roya and Bévéra rivers to the hilltop villages suspended between the mountains and the Mediterranean, each stage offers an immersion into powerful and deeply authentic landscapes.

The Via Alpina passes through the unspoilt areas of the Mercantour National Park, a high-mountain region renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, panoramic trails and high altitude itineraries. Here, hikers pass from mineral ridges to Alpine forests, from spectacular passes to stone villages steeped in history.

More than just a hiking route, the Via Alpina is an invitation to a slow journey, an encounter with Alpine cultures and the landscapes that naturally link the Alps to the Mediterranean. An ideal touring adventure for those looking for an immersive hike combining nature, heritage and wide horizons.

Coastal paths, walk between the Mediterranean, cliffs and villages of the Riviera

Between France and Italy, the RivierALP coastal paths offer a different way of discovering the Mediterranean. Here, the paths skirt turquoise coves, cross rocky capes, reach hanging villages and reveal spectacular panoramas between sea and mountains.

On the French side, the famous coastal path links Menton to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, skirting the Mediterranean cliffs, discreet beaches and gardens of the Riviera. The legendary Le Corbusier path, a Natura 2000 listed site, crosses Cap Martin in a mineral and luminous atmosphere that is unique on the Côte d’Azur.

On the Italian side, the coastal paths extend the experience to the landscapes of the Ligurian Riviera, with its colourful villages, Mediterranean ports and open sea views. Between wild nature, maritime heritage and the mild Mediterranean climate, these itineraries invite you to slow down and explore the coast as close as possible to the elements.

Easy to access and accessible to all abilities, the coastal paths are just as appealing to those who enjoy contemplative walks as they are to those who love hiking between sea and hills. A luminous immersion in the real Wonderland, where the Alps plunge into the Mediterranean.