Hiking and trekking in Provence

ByTravesía Pirenaica

Provence's sunshine and Mediterranean charm attract many visitors to its coast, but the area also has much more to offer the walker. The hinterland boasts a wide range of landscapes, from remote mountain peaks to spectacular canyons. Incredibly diverse routes, hugging the Côte d'Azur and the Italian border. History is everywhere, in medieval villages, arcaded streets, abbeys, churches and castles.

Practical guide

When to go?

Walks near the coast are possible at any time of the year (the most pleasant seasons are spring and autumn), but the high trails in the Mercantour are restricted to the snow-free months of summer and autumn.

Cities & Services

  • East: Vence and Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes); Digne-les-Bains and Castellane (Alpes de Haute-Provence); Guillaumes and the Val d'Entraunes (Mercantour).
  • West: Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies (Drôme Provençale); Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt (Vaucluse); St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Aix-en-Provence (Var)

Not to be missed

  • Spectacular mountain ranges and deep river gorges.
  • Medieval hilltop villages, arcaded streets, fountains, ruined castles, abbeys and churches.
  • The high mountains of Mercantour.
  • From the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south.
  • The red rocks of the Estérel, on the Mediterranean coast.

The routes

Eastern Provence: Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes de Haute-Provence, Mercantour

To the east of Provence are the Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes de Haute-Provence and Mercantour. Excursions can go from the Esterel on the coast to the Mercantour, and include the Verdon Gorge and the Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence, from bases such as Vence, Grasse and Digne-les-Bains.

Alpes-Maritimes

The Alpes-Maritimes rise steep and wild above such unique cities as Grasse, Cannes and Monaco.

Routes: Baou des Noirs and Baou des Blancs / Baou de St-Jeannet / Chemin du Paradis / Pic de Courmettes and Puy de Tourrettes / Baou de St-Jean / La Route de Napoléon / Vallée de la Siagne / Pic du Cap Roux / Estérel and Lac de l'Ecureuil circuit / Mont Vinaigre /

Alpes de Haute-Provence

Further north, in the Haute-Provence Alps, there is a largely unspoilt geological park, including such spectacles as the Verdon Gorge, with villages and ancient sites all around.

Routes: Walk of the Three Chapels from Digne-les-Bains / Excursion in the Réserve Géologique / Bigue du Siron / Le Cousson / Le Cucuyon / Rochers des Mées / Gorges de Trévans / The Verdon Gorge - Sentier Blanc-Martel / The Lower Verdon Gorge / Sommet de Crémon /

Mercantour

The Mercantour National Park, on the other hand, is a partially uninhabited area of high mountains, alpine lakes and red rock canyons known for their wildlife. Further north, in the Haute-Provence Alps, is a largely unspoilt geological park, including such spectacles as the Verdon Gorge, with villages and ancient sites all around.

Routes: Moulin de la Barlatte / Plateau de la Lare from Sauze / Gorges de Daluis / Circuit from St-Martin d'Entraunes / Col des Champs from Entraunes / Circuit of the lakes from Col de la Cayolle / Mont Pelat / Circuit on Péone / Mont Mounier / Around Mont d'Auvare /

READ ALSO: Alpes-Maritimes: The Mercantour and Alpi Marittime parks".

Western Provence: Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse, Var

Excursions range from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south and can be made from charming bases such as Nyons, Apt and Aix-en-Provence.

Drôme Provençale

The green waves of the Barronies hills in Drôme Provençale.

Routes: Nyons Olive Walk / Ferme de la Lance / Cougoir / Serre de Crema / Rocher de Bramard / Gorges de Léoux / Grande Javonière / Château d'Ubrieux / Around the Rocher de St-Julien / Gorges de Toulourenc / Lavender from Aulan /

Vaucluse

The unforgettable silhouette of Mont Ventoux gives way to limestone plateaux cut by ravines in the Vaucluse.

Routes: Vaison-la-Romaine to Crestet / Gambade from Gigondas / Dentelles de Montmirail / Le Barroux to La Roque-Alric / Gorges du Curnier / Gorges de la Nesque / Fontaine-de-Vaucluse the Wall of Plague / Abbaye de Sénanque / Colorado Provençal / Fort de Buoux / Mourre Nègre /

Var

Further south lies Var, with rocky, wooded hills inland, and a coastline full of gnarled inlets and hidden beaches.

Routes: Montagne Ste-Victoire / Marcel Pagnol Country / Mont Olympe / Montagne de la Ste-Baume / Ste-Croix from Nans-les-Pins / Old village and castle of Rougiers / Mourre d'Agnis / Circuit of Latay /