This 75.5 km journey through the Riviera and the hinterland offers a 3-day spiritual immersion, featuring 2794m of ascent and 2910m of descent. Upon leaving the perched village of Roquebrune, pilgrims overlook Monaco before diving into the fragrant hills towards La Turbie and its Roman trophy. Between maritime pines and garrigue, the path crosses Nice with its baroque heritage then climbs the ridges overlooking the Mediterranean before reaching the charming Mouans-Sartoux. This section, punctuated by ancient chapels and Roman milestones, represents about 21 hours of trekking where alpine peaks meet the vast blue sea. It is a true test of stamina where every oratory encountered echoes the long tradition of pilgrims heading towards Spain.
The effort is significant with nearly 2800m of elevation gain, requiring excellent physical condition to tackle successive climbs to the coastal passes. The descents towards Nice and Mouans-Sartoux are technical and demanding on the joints, especially given the high sun exposure on south-facing slopes.
Bring plenty of water as fountains are scarce between the perched villages. Remember to get your credential stamped at Sainte-Réparate Cathedral in Nice and take time in La Turbie to admire the Roman remains.