There is excellent walking all year round in the Arriere Pays de Grasse. May is particularly good for wild flowers, whilst October is good for fruit and autumn colours. There is a good variety of walks for all levels of ability and fitness. There are walks with lots of interest, passing through medieval villages, visiting waterfalls, or walks giving stunning views from mountain tops, looking south to the Mediterranean or north to the Mercantour National park. Alternatively you can swim in the Verdon River whilst following the course of Europe's deepest Gorge. The Alpes Maritimes is made up of limestone folds so ridge walks are also plentiful.

The South East corner of France is still largely undiscovered by the tourist industry. Paths are good, and are very well maintained by the local villagers who still use them for transhumance farming, which is a big part of the local economy. They are well sign-posted, quiet and free of litter. The Grande Randonnée GR long distance walking routes GR 510 and GR 4 pass within    1 and 10 km respectively of Les Basses Beaumettes. Arpille, the mountain in the centre of the home page photo is 1,600m high and is an easy walk from Les Basses Beaumettes. The Teillon ridge affords views of the sharp, rocky ridges of the Mercantour mountains and, again, can be walked up directly from Les Basses Beaumettes. There are also low level walks taking in hamlets that roads have yet to reach, through fields of lavender and wild thyme crossing a Napoleonic bridge on route, passing through old terraces. The Verdon Gorge is only 40 minutes away and has spectacular walking.

Les Basses Beaumettes is ideal for self directed/self guided walking holidays. We are both very keen walkers and have complied a file of over forty of our favourite walks in the area, to help give you some ideas. With descriptions, walking times and 1:25000 map extracts, these should help you choose the walks which are most suitable for you, giving more relevant walking information to this area than you would find in a guidebook. Each day we can provide you with any maps you may need - have a look at the Geoportail website for a sneak preview of what is available. We can also give you a daily weather forecast. Below is a suggestion of what could be possible during a week's walking holiday at Les Basses Beaumettes. You can of course do your own thing, and explore the area for yourself or if you want we are happy to give you a tailor made itinerary to suit your needs to make sure that you make the most of your holiday. We cater for those who enjoy rambling holidays to those who prefer walks with a few challenges. We also have half-day and winter walking suggestions.  Make sure you bring a head torch as some of the walks have tunnels.

Winter walking. The Maritime Alps is an excellent winter walking destination. Days are longer than in Britain, flights are cheap and it is an excellent way to shake off the winter blues with some sunshine and a pleasant way to stay fit over winter. This corner does not get snow bound like the northern alps. We have walks suitable for winter time which avoid any cold, icy, north facing slopes. We are within easy reach of the Allos mountains which do attract more snow, giving the possibility of trying a day walking with snow shoes.

The Altisud website gives details of other walks in the area as does France on Foot. The Walking World website also gives a good overview of walking in the Alpes Maritimes and affirms that it is a good all year round area for walking.

Some of our recommended walks

Les Beaumettes – Gars – Brianconnet – Les Beaumettes.

Walk from Les Beaumettes up through the pine forest to the view point at Col de Baratus where you will be able to see a stunning panorama north and in particular of the Mercantour national park. The path then descends through woodland to the charming little old village of Gars, with a mandatory lunch stop in (see photo), or by the river which flows through the village. Follow the path up through a very arid landscape to the village of Brianconnet. Stop for a drink at the bar in the village to fortify you before descending on the GR510 down to the river, followed by a long steep ascent to Col de l’Escourissier giving views back down the Esteron river. From there it is an easy walk following an old shepherds path down to Le Defens, and back to Les Beaumettes either through the woods or on the D5.

Crete de la Bernarde and the Cremon Ridge.

Park your car at Demondolx and we’ll take you up to the old ski area of Vauplane to start your walk. (5 E supplement). Walk from Vauplane up the track then follow the cairns up onto the summit of La Bernarde. From the view point you will have excellent views into the valleys to the north. Follow the ridge along the Cremon giving views of the village of St Julien du Verdon and Lac Castillon. Descend off the ridge and drop down below the tree line onto a well marked path through the woods and back to Demondolx. For more photographs of this walk have a look at the photo gallery entitled walking.

Mont St Martin, Clue de Riolan and Salagriffon.

Follow the path up through the village of Aiglun past the Calandal restaurant. Turn right at the top of the village. The path contours along some old olive terraces then zig zags up to Mont St Martin giving excellent views across to cascade de Vegay. Continue over the shoulder and down into Clue de Riolan and across the Napoleonic footbridge built in 1860 and restored in 1998 spanning the gorge. Follow the track up to the charming village of Sallagriffon. Follow the path back up through natural stone walls with stunning views of the Clue d’Aiglun onto the shoulder of Mont St-Martin. The path, originally built as a key trading route, picks its way down a stone stair case traversing the cliff which dominates the village of Aiglun, then traverses a scree slope bringing you back to Aiglun. Dinner at the Auberge de Calandal in Aiglun adds the finishing touch to a memorable day, before returning to Les Basse Beaumettes.

Experienced confident walkers only.

Soleilhas – La Sagne – Les Coulettes – La Sagne. Full day.

This circular walk gives wonderful variety and doesn’t involve too much descent and ascent. The walk starts in  Soleilhas (10 minutes by car from Les Beaumettes). Follow the GR4 which winds its way up round the cliff that dominates the village, past the ruins at Verraillon of a once grand farm house to the mountain village of La Sagne.  The path takes you through pine forests which are full of primroses in the spring and lavender in the summer. La Sagne is a delight for any one interested in plants, despite being at 1200m it is sheltered in a bowl and has become a centre for organic farming and horticulture. The whole village has been gradually restored over the past 20 years. The village fountain with its hanging baskets of petunias makes a very fragrant and colourful lunch spot and is handy for refilling water bottles. From La Sagne the path then descends through a dried up river bed, past an ancient stone freezer to Les Coulettes, a mountain hamlet with no road to it. Les Coulettes’ economy is based on donkeys and they have recently built a Mongolian yourt which we can arrange for you to stay in. The path then follows the hamlet irrigation channel up to the stone Chapelle St – Pierre. Have a look at the beautiful water fall and plunge pool that feeds the hamlets irrigation system, the reason for building a village in such a remote location. Retrace your steps for 20 metres then scramble up and along the cliffs and follow the path back to Soleilhas.

This walk can be shortened by driving to le Prignolet, turn left just before the village and leave your car at the road end. This shortend version misses out the Soleihas part of the circuit. The walk can be lengthened by carrying on at La Sagne up to crete de Terrier giving good views of the Mercantour then to le Touvet, Ubraye and back to La Sagne, before continuing to Soleilhas via Les Coulettes.

I've got blisters get me out of here!

If you fancy a day off there are lots of other activities to enjoy - rafting in the Verdon Gorge or Gorge de Daluis, canyoning, doing an underground or over ground via Ferrata, or visiting the medieval villages of  St. Paul de Vence and Tourette sur Loup, Entreveax or Gourdon. Fishing for trout in the trout ponds in St Auban or visit the vultures at Rougon, or discover the local area horse riding with our local out door centre. We also have a large selection of short local walks if you want a half day walk, such as walking up to Notre Dame du Roc at Castellane. For those with blisters by this stage we recommend sunbathing in the garden enjoying life in our little hamlet with a medicinal glass of pastis.

Crete du Teillon.

We will drop you off at La Garde (5E supplement). Follow the path steeply up past a sheer cliff face, then zig zag up meadows onto the Teillon Ridge which gives spectacular views of Lac De Castillon, the Cremon Ridge, the Mercantour National park and south down to the Cote d’Azur. Follow the Teillon ridge for its full gently undulating length. At Pensier Oriental the path descends through the pine trees giving good views of St Auban, then an easy walk back across two fords to les Beaumettes.

Castellane Market and The Verdon Gorge

On either a Saturday morning or a Wednesday morning visit the market at Castellane, a chance to buy some excellent regional produce, stock up in the patisserie for a picnic in the Verdon Gorge later, or have a pain au chocolat and a coffee and enjoy a bit of relaxing people watching.

Then drive via the pretty village of Trigance to the South side of the Verdon Gorge. The road to the gorge takes you over Pont d’ Artuby, one of the highest bungee jumping bridges in the world, a view point definitely worth stopping at. On the south side of the gorge, leave your car at Auberge des Cavaliers, follow the steep path down into the gorge which gives superb views back up the sheer rock walls. The path continues along beside the river often on walkways cut into the stone to l’Imbut, giving plenty of swimming opportunities, provided that the dam is not releasing water. From there you follow a spectacular path cut into the cliffs with steel ropes to hold onto and a ladder to help you up the final bit of cliff back to the road. The walk back along the rim of the gorge to your car gives you the chance to look back down into the gorge and take in some more breath taking views.

If you would like to do a longer walk in the Gorge, Sentier Martel on the North side, is well worth doing. Either start at Samson's Couloir and walk to Chalet de la Maline, or walk from Chalet de la Maline to Samson's Couloir. For information about transport to get back to your car please see the Verdon Gorge page.

More information about walking in the Verdon Gorge can be found on this website.

We aim to provide you with an independent walking holiday designed to give you the maximum benefit from our local knowledge, you choose where you go and what you do, we just help you with local information so that you can make the most of your holiday. If you require further advice about hiking in the area or general tourist information please do not hesitate to email Ruth Jessop.

The Rando Oxygene series also give lots of helpful information about walking in the area, make sure you press the visualiser la carte box.

Balades en France and its website is one of the leading French magazines about walking in France which discovers the local culture and heritage by following the footpaths across this wonderful country.