Hiking on the forgotten trails of the Upper Roya
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationMercantour National Park / Alpes-Maritimes
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AgeFrom 15 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions83.78 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Discover a historic trail , once the main artery of the salt route , which connected the mountains to the sea, passing through perched villages, pine forests, and olive groves . In the heart of winter, when orange and lemon trees are laden with fruit, walk along this forgotten path that winds between valleys and ridges, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
This route will take you to the heart of the Nice hinterland , where heritage and nature blend harmoniously. You will pass through villages steeped in history, where chapels adorned with frescoes and church altarpieces bear witness to the talent of the Primitives of Nice , with Louis Bréa as their leading figure. You will also admire the Baroque architecture , resplendent in its forms and colors.
Following largely the old Royal Road , laid out by the Savoyard sovereigns to connect Nice to Piedmont , this route offers a perfect balance between hiking and cultural exploration . Although mountainous, it only reaches an altitude of 1200 meters , making it an ideal route in late winter or autumn, when the golden light further enhances these exceptional landscapes.
The highlights
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A path following the old Royal Road, steeped in history
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Spectacular landscapes: panoramic views of the Mediterranean and hilltop villages
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Hiking with exceptional light
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
A moderately difficult hike, accessible to anyone with prior experience in mountain walking. Average walking time: 5 hours per day.
Terrain: marked mountain trails. Average elevation gain: +500m per day.
Maximum altitude: 1240m. Average altitude of accommodations: 700m.
Particular difficulties: do not forget that the French Riviera, close to the Italian border, is not a land of hills, but a very mountainous region, with a very marked alpine relief.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 564 m
- Average daily descent: 747 m
Management
Program
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Arrival in Saint Dalmas de Tende
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome and check-in at your 2-star hotel in the heart of Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende. Enjoy this first evening soaking up the mountain atmosphere and preparing for the adventure ahead. Dinner and overnight stay with half-board included .
Day 1 -
Tende and La Brigue
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 8km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 670 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Transfer by bus to Tende (25 min), with departure times varying depending on the day of the week. From Tende, ascend via a scenic trail to the Col de Boselia (1111 m) , offering beautiful views over the valley. Descend to La Brigue , where a short out-and-back hike leads to the Notre-Dame des Fontaines chapel, famous for its 15th-century frescoes.
Return to Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende on foot ( +100m/-100m, 1 hour ) or by bus. In Tende, explore its Baroque church , medieval streets , and Italian organ. Second night in a hotel in Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende.
Day 2 -
St Dalmas – Saorge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 840 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A day of scenic hiking above the Roya Gorge . Starting from Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, the route passes through the high-altitude hamlets of Granile and Berghe , offering a glimpse of the region's traditional architecture. The route continues through Fontan , where a break allows you to admire its Baroque church .
From there, continue on foot to Saorge ( 2.5km, 45min ), a hilltop village with authentic charm. Check into a charming bed and breakfast , dinner included and overnight stay with half-board.
Day 3 -
Saorge - Breil sur Roya
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Morning dedicated to discovering Saorge , its picturesque streets , its Franciscan convent and the Notre-Dame del Poggio chapel , a testament to Romanesque architecture.
Departure for a hike to Breil-sur-Roya via the Roya Valley trail , a short route but with some challenging climbs. Upon arrival, visit the Baroque church of Breil and its 18th-century organ . Overnight stay in a 2-star hotel or equivalent with half-board.
Day 4 -
Breil sur Roya - Piène Haute – Sospel – St Agnès
- Transportation Minibus - 00h40 - 25km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 620 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Hike between Breil-sur-Roya and Sospel , on superb balcony trails crossing olive groves and Mediterranean landscapes. Along the way, stop at Piène Haute , a hilltop village with preserved charm, to discover its church and its 18th-century Baroque danse macabre .
In Sospel, we'll cross its iconic 15th-century toll bridge before transferring to Sainte-Agnès , one of the most beautiful villages in the region. We'll check into the Hotel Saint-Yves , with dinner and half-board accommodation included.
Day 5 -
Loop hike in St Agnes: The summit of Baudon
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The route begins with a gradual climb towards the Col du Bausson , before taking a small mountain road offering panoramic views of the sea . The ascent continues to the Cime de Baudon (1264m) , the highest point offering exceptional 360° views of the region and surrounding peaks.
Back to Sainte-Agnès for another night at the Saint-Yves hotel , with half-board.
Day 6 -
St Agnès – Menton by Castellar
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 240 m
- Negative elevation 890 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last day on a gentle route to the sea . From Sainte-Agnès, the Balcons de la Côte d'Azur trail crosses the pine forests to the perched village of Castellar , where you can discover the Saint-Sébastien chapel .
The descent continues via Baousset , offering direct access to old Menton and its port. Free time to explore its narrow streets, the Church of Saint-Michel , and the Jean Cocteau Museum (Séverin Wunderman Collection). Overnight stay in a 2-star hotel with breakfast.
Day 7 -
End of stay in Menton
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast , the stay ends and you have one last moment to enjoy Menton before your departure.
Day 8
Note
The cultural program proposed above can only be indicative, as visits are subject to the vagaries of the opening times of sites and monuments.
We may sometimes need to slightly modify the indicated itinerary, particularly due to hotel availability. Rest assured, these changes are always made in your best interest, for your safety and comfort!
Accommodation
In 2* hotels or equivalent, or in guest rooms (rooms with showers, WC).
In 2* hotels or equivalent, or in guest rooms (rooms with showers, WC).
Access
Day 8 in Menton after breakfast
Go to the starting point
TGV to Nice then train to Menton and bus to Saint Dalmas de Tende.
From Nice, take the A8 motorway towards Genoa and Italy. Exit at Ventimiglia, then follow the S20 and RN204 roads towards Cuneo and the Col de Tende pass to St Dalmas de Tende. Approximately 80 km. Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes minimum. In St Dalmas, there is private (but unguarded) parking at your hotel. You can view your route at https://www.viamichelin.fr/
In St Dalmas, there is private (but unguarded) parking at your hotel. Please note! To return to Saint Dalmas at the end of your tour, you will need to take the bus from Menton to St Dalmas de Tende.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a double room
- Half-board, except for dinner in Menton
- Luggage transport
- The digital travel file
The price does not include
- Individual drinks
- The travel dossier (paper version)
- Lunches
- The Menton dinner
- Site visits
- Transfers by train or bus
Options
- Hiking guide : CHF32.02 / unit
- Accommodation - Double room : CHF0.00 / unit
- Accommodation - Single room : CHF365.92 / unit
- Extra night at the end of your stay - Double room : CHF105.20 / unit
- Extra night at the end of your stay - Single room : CHF192.11 / unit
- Extra night at the beginning of your stay - Double room : CHF109.78 / unit
- Extra night at the beginning of your stay - Single room : CHF155.52 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Walking sticks (telescopic), very important for making walking easier
- High-protection sunscreen and sunglasses
- Hat, cap or bucket hat
- A rain cape or a Gore-Tex jacket and possibly Gore-Tex trousers
- Plastic bowl, box or plate
- Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
- A 1.5 liter water bottle (minimum) is required; a thermos water bottle for winter.
Clothing to bring
- Hiking boots that provide ankle support, a good lugged sole, a reinforced heel counter, and good waterproofing.
- Comfortable "hiking-specific" socks (minimum 3 pairs)
- A fleece fur
- Comfortable trousers for walking (quick-drying technical fabric)
- Shorts, t-shirts and technical underwear (quick-drying material)
- A long-sleeved shirt (quick-drying technical fabric)
- A pair of jogging-style sneakers for the evening
- Change of clothes and personal linen
- Toiletry bag and towel (mini)
Note: Synthetic technical clothing is very high-performing. New merino wool clothing has also appeared; it is very high-performing and comfortable to wear, and has the advantage of not developing perspiration odors! (Icebreaker, Ruka, etc. brands).
Generally speaking, avoid cotton, which gets cold when wet.
They traveled with us
