This major 75.7 km journey, typically completed over three days, offers a spectacular transition from the foothills of the Southern Alps to the deep blue Mediterranean. With 1579m of ascent and 1912m of descent, the route leaves the medieval city of Vence, passing through hilltop villages like Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Bar-sur-Loup before reaching Grasse, the world capital of perfume. The path follows ancient Roman roads dotted with small oratories and Romanesque chapels, providing a spiritual silence perfect for introspection amidst scrubland and ancient olive groves. This long walk towards Saint-Raphaël, positioned between the Estérel massif and the sea, requires approximately 19 to 21 hours of trekking through landscapes steeped in the history of early Provençal pilgrims.
The difficulty lies in the length of the daily segments and the cumulative descent of 1912m, which puts significant strain on the knees, especially during the drop towards the Siagne plain. The 1579m of ascent is distributed over several successive ridges in the Grasse hinterland, featuring rocky sections with high exposure to the Mediterranean sun.
Plan your overnight stays in Grasse and the Tanneron area to balance your days at about 25 km each. Don't forget to get your credential stamped at the Notre-Dame-du-Puy Cathedral in Grasse, and carry substantial water supplies as fountains are sparse between the backcountry villages.