Between sea and mountains, the Alpes-Maritimes offer thousands of kilometres of waymarked trails. To help you find the right ones, here are the apps we use ourselves – and the key rules for anyone walking with a dog.
The best apps
- Visorando – the French hiking community. A huge number of local routes with descriptions, difficulty and elevation profile. Very usable for free
- Cartes IGN – the official app of the French national mapping agency. The most accurate topographic maps, ideal for your own routes off the beaten track
- Komoot – good for planning, navigation and loops starting from your front door
- AllTrails – large international collection with a filter for dog-friendly trails and up-to-date reviews from other walkers
- Randoxygène – the trail network of the Alpes-Maritimes département. Numbered wooden posts at junctions (balises) help with orientation. Routes and maps are on the département's website
What dog owners need to know
- Mercantour National Park: in the core zone of the park, dogs are banned, even on a lead. They are allowed in the outer zones. Look out for signs at the park entrances
- Livestock guardian dogs (patous): on mountain pastures, large white dogs guard the flocks. Keep your distance, put your dog on a lead, give the flock a wide berth and don't run
- Processionary caterpillars (chenilles processionnaires): from around January to April they move in lines across the ground, especially under pines. They are dangerous for dogs: contact can cause severe injuries to the tongue and mouth. Keep your dog away and see a vet immediately after contact
- Hunting season: from around September to February, often at weekends and on Wednesdays. Watch for “chasse en cours” signs, wear bright clothing and keep your dog on a lead
- Ticks: present here too. Check after every walk
- Water: streams dry up in summer and fountains are only found in villages. Always carry enough water for your dog
Summer: wildfire risk
In summer, the prefecture may restrict or close access to forests when the fire risk is high. Check the current danger level before every walk. Smoking and fires are banned in forests anyway. The best hiking season on the coast and in the hinterland is October to May.
Our favourite areas to start with
- The coastal path on Cap d'Antibes – short and spectacular; start early in summer
- The Gorges du Loup between Gourdon and Bar-sur-Loup
- The Plateau de Caussols above Grasse – wide karst landscape, ideal for dogs
- The Parc de la Valmasque between Mougins and Valbonne – shady woodland, flat, perfect for the daily dog walk
We will soon be showing more of our favourite hinterland villages on video.
