More about the route
This walking holiday takes you along small paths and dirt roads in the mountains along the coast. The tour requires a good basic fitness level and we recommend that you use hiking boots and walking poles.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
You arrive at the hotel in the afternoon, after which you can spend time as you please. There are excellent restaurants in the area.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Méditerranée
Leaving in the early morning, a bus will take you to the small village of Castellar, which overlooks Menton bay from a height of 340m and will be the starting point of your hike. From there you can choose either the long or the short hike:
Short Hike: The route goes up the side of le Roc de l’Orméa, to reach Saint Bernard’s pass and chapel (769m) then continue climbing upwards until you reach the border, then cross the Passo della Corna (1045m). You will then head downhill on the Italian side of the border, enjoying a view over the sea. This path will lead you to the Passo dei Sette Camini (424 m). Then a track will take you down to a hamlet, Grimaldi (130m). A short transfer either by bus or taxi (on the weekend) to Ventimiglia. Visit to Ventimiglia’s Old Town (roman Cathedral and baptistery).
Long Hike: A steep climb will take you to the col du Berceau (1090m): here you will have beautiful views to the North and to the South. In a few minutes, you will reach la cime de Restaud (1190m) (the view from here is even more beautiful than the previous one!) Then go downhill through the forest on the mountains north face, before facing your final climb up to Passo de la Corna (1045m). Heading downhill from here, you will be on the Italian side of the border walking along an impressive ridge until you reach Passo dei Sette Camini, where you follow the same route as the ‘short hike’ to reach Grimaldi.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Sole e Mare
Transfer in the morning by bus or taxi from Ventimiglia to Torri, in the Bévéra valley (95m). You will follow a beautiful path along the left riverbank of the Bévéra, to reach Collabassa (320m). The path leads downhill to cross la Roya and leads to the beautiful village of Airole (110m), where you can get lost in its winding narrow lanes. After a short break, you will begin to climb Sella dei Due Abelli (750m): a remote but magnificent route. On the other slope, after a few metres along the former Maginot Line, you will have a pleasant descent in to the Rochetta Nervina valley. You will pass one last olive grove and then the path leads you directly to your hotel (200m).
Shorter Alternative: If you don’t feel up to the full 6 hours it is possible to get to Airole either by bus or taxi.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Lago Bin
You will start the day by visiting Rochetta-Nervina, nestled at the bottom of a valley at the narrow intersection of two streams. A small path goes alongside the steam, then leads you on a long climb through a remote area, following along the crest (735m). On the other side, you will head down to the village of Isolabona, and the Nervia valley (100m). After you have visited the village, you still have the hardest part of the walk ahead of you, you need to head up to the village of Apricale built on the side of the slope, and considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Munte e Cara
After you take the time to explore Apricale, will you lead you upwards where you will find the village of Perinaldo: almost 600m high you will have an unrivaled view over the ocean! Continue downhill to Dolceacqua, along the path ‘pèlerinage à la Vierge de Douleurs’ (pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows). You will walk under the old village and see the impressive castle, Dolceacqua is famous for its beautiful medieval jetty (as well as for its wine!).
Once you have taken a look around the village, you will take the bus to Pigna, in the Nervia valley. This beautiful village is home to a magnificent altarpiece as well as a chapel painted by the artist Canavesio. Canavesio was one of the region’s most important artists at the end of the 15th century
Hotel (example): Chambres d'hôtes la Casa Rosa
The path leaves from your hotel and leads you to the village of Castelvittorio (412m). You will pass through the village, using the staircases which connect the winding alleys, and contniue to climb until you reach San Sebastiano chapel (700m). After a short flat stretch, you will head downhill until the Bonda bridge (500m), before tackling a long climb through the forest which will take you to the highest village you will visit on the trip: Baiardo (900m).
Hotel (example): Chambres d'hôtes Le Camelie del Bosco
From the village of Baiardo, you will climb up to a long wooded ridge which will lead you to the summit of Mont Bignone (1299m), where you will find the most impressive lookout point on the Ligurian Coast. (During La Belle Epoque, a cable-car brought tourists up to this spot).
From here, you'll descend through the nature park of San Romolo (760m) and are then driven by bus to San Remo.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Alexander
We recommend that you spend at least half a day exploring San Remo, especially if you find yourself here on a Saturday, when there is the weekly market outside the cathedral. Take the train or trolleybus to Ventimiglia (frequent departures). When you reach Ventimiglia, you will be able to take the train to Menton or Nice.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights at handpicked 2- and 3-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed route descriptions and maps
- Transportation of luggage from hotel to hotel
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- singleroom
- Transportation to / from France
- Travel- and cancellation insurance
- Transportations described in the program
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Nice are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Local Transportation
We recommend flying to Nice Airport, from where you have good connections to Menton. Find timetables and prices on Rome2Rio.
A Taxi from Nice to Menton costs about 95 euros per car, seating 1-5 people. It is not possible to prebook the taxi.
If you drive on your own
It is possible to leave your car at the first hotel in Menton. It costs about 80 euros to park there for the entire week.
The basic price includes nights in 2*hotels and guesthouses. The places are handpicked to fit the theme of the tour.
When booking it is possible to upgrade to 3*hotels and guesthouses.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
OBS: In France, more and more hotels and guest houses are refusing to take part in the star-rating system, even establishments which were classified a year or two ago are making this decision. This doesn’t mean that they are of a lesser quality, in fact far from it, a lot of these guest houses provide you with lovely rooms. If we indicate that an accommodation is ‘3-star or equivalent to’ this means that the establishment has chosen not to receive an official classification, but we believe the level of comfort provided is equal to a 3-star establishment.
Breakfast is included each day. Other meals are not included. It is, however, very easy to buy lunch boxes and dinner in the cities during the holiday.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
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