Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]

Alpes Maritimes – 4 nights From the Alps to the Mediterranean

https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/alpes-maritimes/alpes-maritimes-4-nights/

Route Summary

At a glance

Alpes Maritimes 4-night option (3 days walking) with one night each in Breil, Sospel, Ste Agnès and (so missing historic ). Add extra nights in Menton to celebrate the end.

How much walking?

Full days: 12-17km per day, 4.5-7 hrs walking Using shortening options: 7-16km per day, 3-6 hrs walking

Max. Grade:

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Arrive at Breil and, if time allows, explore this pretty riverside town. The next day a wonderfully varied walk from there to the ancient town of Sospel. Continue on to the astonishing mountain-top village of Ste. Agnès, with views across to the Mediterranean. Finally arrive in Menton itself, Belle Epoque faded splendour now restored to its former glory, and a stroll down the promenade before dining well in one of its restaurants. This version of our route is graded medium or, using shortening options, as an easy medium walk, and the route is well signed.

Route Highlights

● The “villages perchés” of the Roya valley ● Dramatic alpine scenery ● The flora of the Gorge de Bévéra ● Chamois, ibex, moufflons, boars, birds of prey ● The Belle Epoque charms of Menton

We Recommend

Extra nights in Menton by the sea front, just to relax...

Grading

Full days: 12-17km per day, 4.5-7 hrs walking Using shortening options: 7-16km per day, 3-6 hrs walking Paths mainly marked, with numbered signposts, though careful attention to the route directions required. Highest point on route: 775m. Some narrow paths with drops may worry the acrophobic.

Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 535m (350m-750m) per day.

Easy-medium: CUSs 250m (50m-500m) per day.

GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.

Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.

page 2/7 When to go

The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October.

Other possible months: July, August (but please note that our hotel in Menton cannot accept one-night stays between mid-July and mid-August)

Normally we would suggest that you enjoy the Alpes Maritimes in April and May for the spring flowers and in September and October for the warm seas. However, Storm Alex wreaked havoc in October 2020 and the infrastructure of the top part of the Roya Valley was severely damaged. Roads and bridges are being rebuilt and our stoical hoteliers are looking forward to welcoming clients in the late spring. You can, however, walk throughout the summer as the mountain air is cooling though, as you near the coast, the temperature rises. If you have a real yen to be in the area in the earlier spring, we would suggest 2 or 3 nights in Sospel, using the train back to Breil to complete some of the walking. Do talk with us!

Please note that during the Monaco Grand Prix in mid/late May, the hotels we use in Menton are fully booked, and we cannot therefore offer the route for dates which would end around this time (see calendar).

Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Breil

Make your way by train to this pretty town and settle in for your first night, and explore your options for a good meal tonight.

Day 2 - Breil to Sospel

Up onto the valley sides again to the hilltop village of Piène Haute for lunch, then the Sentier Botanique of the Gorge de Bévéra before arriving at the medieval town of Sospel. (Medium: 4½ hrs, 14 km, CUSs 500m).

Day 3 - Sospel to Ste. Agnès

Through the Mediterranean woodlands to the Col de Castillon for a picnic, then along forest tracks to a final thrilling approach up a cobbled path to Ste. Agnès, high above the Mediterranean. (Medium-hard: 5½ hrs, 13 km, CUSs 750m). Alternative - taxi ride plus 2½ hrs (easy).

Day 4 - Ste. Agnès to Roquebrune (and Menton)

Your final walking day along the mountainside to the beautiful vieux village of Roquebrune where we recommend a celebratory lunch in one of the village restaurants, overlooking the Mediterranean, and a train to Menton or (if you're still in walking mood) a stroll along the seaside path of Cap Martin, the full promenade of Menton, and your comfortable hotel. (Medium: 4 hrs, 11 km to Roquebrune Gare. 5 hrs, 16 km to Menton, CUSs 450m).

Alternatively use the fine old mule track straight down to Menton, giving yourself more time to explore this fascinating old resort. (2 hrs, easy)

page 3/7 Travel Information

ARRIVING BY AIR

The best “local” airport is . Intercontinental flights use Paris – overnight stays advisable. Then either TGV train or domestic flight onwards to Nice.

Land by: Nice 15:00 for public transport connections to Breil (c. 3½ hrs) OR stay a night in Nice if arriving late (see Where you’ll stay and Prices)

Return flight earliest: 10:00 for airport bus service from Menton (c.1 hr)

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

See “Getting to start” below for transfer information.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station:

Start: Breil Finish: Menton

Sample journey by rail:

Via Paris: TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice and local train from there to Breil. ~9 hrs

Menton to Paris: Direct TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon ~ 8 hrs.

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.

DRIVING to this version of the route is not recommended.

Getting to the start of the walk

The first hotel is in Breil, and the last on the coast in Menton. Transfer times and methods are suggested for Nice airport below. For train arrival transfers see below.

NICE AIRPORT:

page 4/7 Outward: Bus then train: 3½ hrs. Allow 2 hrs from touchdown at Nice airport to train departure time from Nice-Ville. Flight arrivals after 13:00 will require train to Breil then taxi. For train times (Nice-Ville to Breil) on your day of arrival check the website: en.oui.sncf/en OR stay a night at the beginning in Nice for a more relaxed start (see Where you’ll stay and Prices). Return: Airport bus from outside hotel 1-1½ hrs OR taxi the whole way from Menton hotel to Nice airport: 40 mins.

Transfers from train stations: Outward: Breil (Short walk or lift to first hotel) Return: Menton. (20 mins walk or short taxi ride from last hotel to station)

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

Where You'll Stay

Starting in La Brigue, you’ll stay in a welcoming, family-run hotel right on the village square – and the food receives consistently good reviews too. Our pension in Breil has recently been refurbished and the chambres d’hotes we have selected in Sospel are charming, with excellent locally sourced food, friendly hosts and good rooms. In Ste Agnès, you’ll stay in small, basic rooms dotted throughout the village (the St Yves restaurant for dinner that night is good) and, finally, to your beachfront hotel in Menton which receives great feedback from our clients who enjoy a special treat at the end of their holiday.

For late arrivals a night in Nice may be necessary at the start – see the bottom of this page.

Night 1 Breil – Le Roya (B&B)

Basic rooms above a bustling village café.

page 5/7 Night 2 Sospel – Chambres d’hotes (Dinner, B&B/B&B)

A superb trio of rural chambres d'hotes, each with their own special character, charming hosts and the guarantee of a good dinner. Some with pool.

Night 3 Ste Agnès – Le Saint Yves (B&B)

Bustling restaurant (and great views from the terrace) with simple rooms below and across the village.

Night 4 Menton – Hotel Princess et Richmond (B&B)

Right on the promenade overlooking the sea, a family-run hotel of quality in the best position in town.

Nice – Hotel Durante:

Walkers transferring via Nice may need a night there if the flight or train times don’t work with the local trains. We can book you a night in the Hotel Durante, a simple hotel near the station for convenience. Feedback has been of the “fine – good value” variety

page 6/7 Prices

Price: £695

Total 4 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 1 picnic and 1 evening meal, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.

All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £185 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £150 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £15 per person Maximum party size: 6

Add Ons

Extra nights possible throughout the route: Contact On Foot for ideas and prices Further night B&B at end of holiday in Menton: Prices vary with season and room type. Contact us Nights in Nice: Contact On Foot Holidays

Taxi from Breil to La Brigue: From £55

Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)

On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom

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