Baou de Saint-Jeannet Ridge Walk

The Baou de Saint-Jeannet ridge walk begins in Saint-Jeannet, 06640 Saint-Jeannet, a village about 25 km west of Nice above the Var valley in the Alpes-Maritimes, France. The village lies beneath a limestone cliff that rises about 400 m above the houses, and the summit of the Baou de Saint-Jeannet reaches roughly 800 m. Access from Nice is by Lignes d'Azur bus to Saint-Jeannet, and the line should be confirmed at lignesdazur.com or at the Nice tourist office, 5 Promenade des Anglais. No permit or fee is required. The full route covers 12 km and links the Baou de Saint-Jeannet with the neighbouring Baou de La Gaude, taking about 5 hours according to the tourist office; a shorter single-baou option is possible. The difficulty is moderate: the climb is sustained, the path is stony and uneven, and the summit plateau has cliff edges that call for care. The ascent crosses scrub, oak and pine, with partial shade on the lower slopes, but the ridge and the plateau are open and exposed, and there is no shelter in strong wind. Landmarks include the village's old streets at the start, the steep path through the woodland up the flank of the cliff, the summit plateau with views over the Var valley, Nice and the sea, and the ridge toward the Baou de La Gaude. The summit of the first baou is a sensible turn-around point for walkers who want a shorter day. Water and refreshments are not available on the route, so about 2 litres of water per person should be carried, along with a hat and a windproof layer. There are no refuge huts. Children and dogs should be kept close near the cliff edges. Summer walking is not advised at midday because the limestone retains heat and offers little shade, so October to May is the more comfortable window. Bailing out is best done by retracing the path to the village.