This monumental 61.4 km crossing over three days takes you from the heights of Èze to the doorstep of the Grasse region, requiring approximately 16 to 18 hours of walking. With 2,074m of elevation gain and 2,262m of descent, this exceptional route crosses the inland ridges, passing by Fort de la Drète and plunging toward Vence, the medieval city of Saint Lambert. The path wanders through fragrant scrubland and pine forests, linking gems like Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the banks of the Loup river before reaching Mouans-Sartoux. Between sky and sea, the pilgrim walks in the ancient footsteps of Romans and devotees, carried by a spirituality rooted in Romanesque chapels and isolated oratories. It is a powerful inner journey, marked by the shade of ancient olive trees and the distant glimmer of the Mediterranean.
The effort is sustained with a cumulative elevation gain of over 2,000m on often stony and technical terrain. The descents toward Vence and the crossing of the Loup river gorges are demanding on the joints, especially with a heavy pack. Exposure to the sun is almost constant on the limestone ridges, making water management critical between supply points.
Remember to get your credential stamped at Vence Cathedral, one of the smallest in France. Plan a contemplative stop at the Chapelle du Rosaire (Matisse) in Vence. It is essential to fill your water bottles in La Trinité or Falicon before tackling the isolated ridge sections.