Cap d'Antibes Coastal Trail

The Cap d’Antibes coastal trail or otherwise known as, “Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d’Antibes” on the very tip of the Antibes peninsula is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon exploring more of the beautiful landscape in Cap d'Antibes.

Before you start on this hike…and it is considered more of hike than a walk, plan to spend 2-3 hours around the cape and it will require you wear proper footwear.  Beach sandals will not do.

There are no shortcuts or stores so bring enough water and food with you and depending on the time of year be prepared for some strong winds.

There are a few ways to hike this coastal trail, if it is your first time I would suggest starting from the popular Garoupe Beach, just look for signs on the south side of the beach where a wide stone path leads the way.

At first you might think this is going to be easy, but before you know it you are climbing small sets of narrow man-made stairs while teetering on the edge of the sea so be sure to make use of the hand rails provided in certain sections.

It’s all part of the adventure though and very scenic, you’ll find yourself stopping along the way, not necessarily to take a rest as it isn’t that strenuous of a trail but to take in the surroundings and photos.

I’m not normally one to pay attention to various types of vegetation but even among the sections of rocky terrain you’ll notice much of this area is still a very natural environment with loads of greenery, there are plenty of maritime pines mixed with the sweetest fragrances coming from the little flowers growing between the rocks squeezed amongst large exotic plants.

Just when you think you are getting used to the trail, you’ll walk around a corner where the views and character of the trail changes again.

The one thing that is consistent is that you are hiking next to some of the most expensive and exclusive estates in the world, they are very well protected with high stone walls and security cameras but every once in a while you will catch a glimpse inside the grounds of the majestic homes and peaceful looking gardens.

Being surrounded by such lush and dramatic scenery, it’s easy to see why one would want to have a home here.

One of the reasons I like to start at Garoupe Beach is because following the coastal trail this way will also take you towards the historic Villa Eilenroc with the grounds being open to the public for a good portion of the year, this exquisite property feels like a treat after hiking for an hour or so.

Just look for the trail signs marked “Chemin des Contrebandiers” (smugglers path), they will lead you to the Villa Eilenroc estate.

After you leave the grounds, you can continue to walk around the outside of the estate, the views in this location are some of the best.  In places you can see all the way to Cannes and if you wanted, this is where you can go for a swim at the small beach to cool down before proceeding back along the trail.

From here your choice will be to head back along the trail the same way you came or you can head towards the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc which is practically next door to Villa Eilenroc and carry on through Cap d’Antibes.

Whichever way you decide, you won’t regret taking the time to hike along the Cap d’Antibes Coastal Trail!

Cap d'Antibes

Breathtaking Cap d’Antibes.  The intimate playground of the rich, perhaps not everyone can afford the luxury of living on this southern end of the Antibes peninsula but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time and explore it for yourself.

Two early visitors to this area were Gerald and Sara Murphy, wealthy Americans who found a sense of freedom and play here and who have been credited with establishing the French Riviera as a summer resort destination.

Other famous notables such as Coco Chanel and Marlene Dietrich helped establish the lavish and historic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc as the place to stay and be seen. 

And let’s not forget that it is said F. Scott Fitzgerald took inspiration in writing his novel ‘Tender Is The Night’ from living in this part of the world.

Cap d’Antibes is truly a special place, it feels a touch urban yet maintains its own quiet existence through its refinements, and the people that live here can be some of the most generous and kind you will ever meet.

Drive, bike or even just walk along the twisting roads of Cap d’Antibes, never knowing what kind of spectacular estate you will see next.  Each exclusive property here showcases the best in which the owner might be, this is where history, character and design are revered.

You won’t find a mass of shops in Cap d’Antibes, in fact there is only a handful of resort hotels sprinkled about in which to choose from, but you can also always rent a villa!

The same goes for the restaurants, there may only be a small selection of them but they are among the best.  Expect to experience a life here that is relaxing and refreshing, this area is certainly no tourist trap.

A lovely spot to capture some of the best views of the region is the Garoupe Lighthouse perched smack dab in the middle of Cap d’Antibes, so large, it can be seen from as far away as Cannes and Nice.

One way to find the lighthouse is to walk about a kilometer up the Chemin de Calvaire from Plage de la Salis, you will find signs posted everywhere on how to reach the lighthouse.

As for beaches, the most popular one seems to be Garoupe Beach, it’s large with immaculately clean, soft sand and it also happens to be an excellent area for swimming in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea.

Make sure you arrive early so that you can rent a lounge chair and if you’re hungry, here is where you will find those few beach snack bars and restaurants.

And here’s an insider tip: a couple of the reasons Garoupe Beach is so popular is because of how it is situated, facing east it is protected from the wind and also the glare of the summer sun isn’t as strong when people are looking for a break from the heat.

No matter what time of the year you travel through, Cap d’Antibes presents an ease and elegance that must be experienced for yourself.