The Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region of the South of France has literally thousands of kilometres of waymarked hiking trails to explore. Several long distance Grande Randonnée (GR) routes criss-cross the region and a great number of shorter hiking trails provide access to stunning landscapes and far-reaching views.
Map of the Best Hikes in the South of France
Explore our favourite hikes in the South of France using the interactive map below to plan your route.
OUR FAVOURITE Hikes in the South of FRANCE
You’ll find an incredible mix of hiking experiences across the South of France, from coastal walks to true mountain adventures. Follow the sentier littoral around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or Cap d’Antibes for turquoise seas, hidden coves and swim stops along the way, or head inland to quieter hilltop village routes like Biot, Valbonne and Vallauris for shaded paths and a taste of Provence proper. For dramatic scenery, the limestone cliffs and canyon walks of the Gorges du Verdon and the wild coastal routes of the Calanques National Park are hard to beat. And, for a true alpine escape, the trails of Mercantour National Park offer high mountain landscapes, remote valleys and some of the most rewarding hiking in southern France.
Here are some of our favourite hikes in the South of France:
Tour of Cap Ferrat
Distance: 5.9 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
Best time of year: Year round
The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat coastal hike is one of the most scenic walks on the French Riviera, looping around a sun-drenched peninsula between Nice and Monaco. This easy-to-moderate trail follows the shoreline past hidden coves, turquoise waters and dramatic limestone cliffs, with constant sea views and plenty of spots for a swim along the way. Combining Mediterranean landscapes, elegant villas and a relaxed coastal feel, Cap Ferrat is perfect for hikers looking for a shorter, rewarding walk that delivers big views right on the coast.
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Plage Passable to Cap-Ferrat
Distance: 8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 hours
Best time of year: Year round
The Plage Passable to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat coastal hike follows a beautiful stretch of the historic sentier littoral, once used by customs officers patrolling the Riviera shoreline. Starting from the family-friendly sands of Plage Passable, the trail winds past turquoise coves, fishing villages and shaded coastal paths before finishing in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. With several beaches along the way and constant sea views, it’s a moderately challenging walk best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time for swimming or a picnic.
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Cap d’Antibes Hiking Trail
Distance: 4.8 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
Best time of year: Year round
The Cap d’Antibes coastal walk offers a stunning blend of wild shoreline and Riviera elegance, tracing a rugged path around one of the Côte d’Azur’s most iconic headlands. This accessible hike follows rocky coves, pine-fringed paths and crystal-clear waters, with sweeping views across the Mediterranean and towards the Alps on clear days. Less glitzy and more natural than you might expect, Cap d’Antibes is perfect for hikers seeking an easy, scenic coastal route with plenty of opportunities for a swim in the sea.
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Biot to Valbonne Trail
Distance: 9.8 km
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Duration: 3 hours
Best time of year: Year round
The Biot to Valbonne hike is a refreshing escape into the green heart of the Alpes-Maritimes, linking two characterful hilltop villages via quiet forest paths and the river valley. This easy-to-moderate walk winds through shaded woodland, along gentle streams and past traditional stone bridges, offering a cooler, shadier alternative to the coast. Rich in Provençal atmosphere and history, the route is ideal for hikers looking to combine nature, culture and village life without tackling big elevation or exposed terrain.
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Vallauris Hiking Trail
Distance: 3.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1.5 hours
Best time of year: Year round
The Vallauris hilltop hike offers a rewarding blend of Provençal countryside, artistic heritage and elevated views over the Côte d’Azur. This gentle inland walk follows quiet paths through olive groves, woodland and terraced hillsides, gradually climbing towards Vallauris, a town best known for its ceramics and its connection to Picasso. Less busy than coastal routes and rich in local atmosphere, it’s an ideal hike for walkers looking to explore authentic villages, softer landscapes and a slower pace just inland from the Riviera.
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Hiking in the Gorges du Verdon
Distance: 35 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3 days
Best time of year: Year round
Hiking in the Gorges du Verdon delivers some of the most dramatic walking in southern France, with vertiginous limestone cliffs, turquoise river views and narrow ledge paths carved into the canyon walls. Our pick of the trails here range from scenic rim hiking to thrilling sections above the river, offering big rewards for relatively short distances. Taken together, the three classic walks can be linked to create a memorable 3-day hiking itinerary, making the Verdon ideal for walkers looking to slow down and fully immerse themselves in one of Europe’s greatest natural landscapes.
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Hiking in the Estérel
Distance: 5 km coastal loops to 25+ km ridge hikes
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: Half-day to full-day hikes
Best time of year: Year round (ideal spring & autumn)
Hiking in the Massif de l’Estérel is some of the most striking coastal walking in the South of France. Red volcanic rock contrasts with turquoise Mediterranean water as trails weave through fragrant pine forest and climb to panoramic viewpoints like Pic de l’Ours and Cap Roux. From relaxed coastal paths above hidden coves to steeper ridge hikes with sweeping sea views, the Estérel delivers bold scenery and year-round sunshine just a short drive from Saint-Raphaël.
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Hiking the Gorges du Loup
Distance: 5-12 km depending on route
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: Half-day to full-day
Best time of year: Year round (ideal spring & autumn)
The Gorges du Loup offers some of the most varied hiking on the Côte d’Azur – dramatic canyon views, shaded riverside paths and the 20-metre Cascade de Courmes crashing into a natural pool below. Trails range from the easy plateau loop above Gourdon – one of France’s most beautiful perched villages, with views stretching from the gorge floor to the Mediterranean – to the more exposed Sentier de la Vierge, which cuts along the cliff face above the turquoise river. The gorges sit within the Parc naturel régional des Préalpes d’Azur, just 30 minutes from Nice and 20 minutes from Grasse.
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Hiking in the Calanques NP
Distance: 25 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2 days
Best time of year: Year round
On this stunning Calanques National Park hike, you’ll discover a dramatic stretch of Mediterranean coastline with limestone cliffs, hidden coves and turquoise inlets. An iconic section of trail links Port-Miou, Port-Pin and Calanque d’En-Vau, combining rocky coastal paths, short climbs and breathtaking sea views throughout. Spread over two days, the itinerary covers around 20–25 km, allowing hikers to explore the Calanques at a relaxed pace while tackling some of the park’s most spectacular terrain. Wild, exposed and deeply scenic, it’s an unforgettable hike rewarded with crystal-clear water and plenty of opportunities for a swim.
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Hiking in the Mercantour National Park
Distance: 12 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 6 hours
Best time of year: Jun-Oct
Hiking in Mercantour National Park takes you deep into a wild alpine landscape of high valleys, glacial lakes and rugged peaks close to the Italian border. One of the park’s highlights, the Vallée des Merveilles, combines spectacular mountain scenery with ancient rock engravings on a rewarding day hike of around 10–12 km, typically taking 5–6 hours. Quieter and more remote than the coast, Mercantour is ideal if you’re looking to escape the crowds and experience a more adventurous, high-mountain side of the South of France on foot.
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Hiking to the Lac d’Allos
Distance: 7.3 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2h30
Best time of year: Jun-Oct
Set at 2,228 m in the heart of Mercantour National Park, Lac d’Allos is the largest natural high-altitude lake in Europe. Starting from Parking du Laus (2,108 m), this 7.3 km out-and-back route includes a scenic loop around the lake and is one of the most accessible alpine hikes in the South of France.
Despite its modest elevation gain, the setting feels wild and dramatic — turquoise water framed by rugged limestone peaks, marmots in the meadows and sweeping views close to the Italian border. If you want a true high-mountain experience without a long ascent, this is one of the region’s most rewarding day hikes.
Book a South of France Hiking Trip
Our trusted partners offer expertly guided day hikes and multi-day walking trips across the South of France, perfect for travellers who want to explore the region’s most beautiful landscapes on foot. From Riviera coastal paths to dramatic gorges and hilltop villages, hiking with a local guide gets you deeper into the culture, further off the beaten track, and it’s a lot more fun.
Guided Hiking Experiences
If you’d like to explore these hikes with a local expert, there are also guided hiking tours led by certified guides based in the region. Local hiking guides offer guided walks across the Côte d’Azur and nearby mountain areas, including several of the routes featured here.
Book a guided hiking trip in partnership with Explore-Share and discover the South of France with a knowledgeable local by your side.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your hiking trip in the South of France, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this page. Bonnes vacances!
