This 29.7 km odyssey through the Riviera hinterland takes you from the bustling Cagnes-sur-Mer to the elegant heights of Mougins, featuring 898m of ascent and 817m of descent over approximately 8 hours of walking. The path leaves the coastline behind to dive into fragrant hills, passing through the charming villages of Villeneuve-Loubet and Roquefort-les-Pins, where garrigue and pine forests provide essential breathing space. Along the way, the silhouette of the Notre-Dame de Protection chapel recalls the ancestral watch over pilgrims, while crossing the Parc de la Brague offers a sanctuary of wild coolness. This demanding stage is a true spiritual rite of passage, as you gradually exchange the sea's azure for the grounding Provençal earth and its medieval heritage. Arriving in Mougins, a spiral-shaped village famous for its art galleries, crowns the day with breathtaking views of the Esterel massif and the Mediterranean.
The effort is sustained with nearly 900m of elevation gain spread over several successive climbs after Villeneuve-Loubet. The distance approaching 30 km requires excellent endurance, especially with sections on stony paths that can be slippery in dry weather. Sun exposure is significant on the ridges of Roquefort-les-Pins, making energy management crucial in summer.
Be sure to refill your water bottles in Roquefort-les-Pins as water points are scarce before the final approach to Mougins. Remember to get your credential stamped at the Villeneuve-Loubet tourist office or in one of the historical chapels along the route. For tired legs, plan a contemplative break by the Brague River, a true oasis of coolness at the midpoint.