Discover the Ultimate Cap d’Antibes Coastal Tour
By Richard Hoskisson, 28 May 2024
As you will know from reading by post on Antibes Beaches – How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip Antibes is my preferred spot on the French Riviera. There is so much variety in the beauty of the place and the Cap d’Antibes is the Jewel in the Crown. This hike is my favourite hike, year round and I have lost count of the number of times that I have completed it. Taking in many of the hidden Antibes’ Beaches, it is a great activity for a day out.
Discover my detailed instructions below to plan your day at Antibes Beaches – Ultimate Cap d’Antibes Coastal Tour.
Where is the Cap d’Antibes?
Located approximately mid way between Nice and Cannes in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, you will find the more laid back town of Antibes.
The Cape of Antibes – known in French as Cap d’Antibes – is the large peninsula to the south of Antibes. It is home to many of Antibes’ luxury homes and more secluded beaches.
Hike Stats
- Distance – 4.8km circuitous route
- Elevation Gain – 52m
- Duration – 2 hours – more with beach stops
- Difficulty Rating – Easy – although there are many stairs that can be slippy. It is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
- A year round hike, although in rough weather the second part of the coastal path can be closed off with little warning.
Equipment Needed
- Good quality trainers/trail shoes
- Walking Poles if unsteady on stairs
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person in summer months
- Swimmers & Towel – if you love the water and plan to swim in unforgettable locations.
Starting Point
📍The starting point for this hike is the Plage de la Garoupe.
🅿️ It is easy to find by car from Antibes or Juan-Les-Pins. If arriving early, there is plenty of free parking here. Summer months can be more challenging to find parking.
🚲 🥾You can also reach here easily by bike or on foot from Antibes and Juan-Les-Pins. Please note that this will add an additional 4km to the route. There are adequate places to secure bikes close to the beach.
🚌 Alternatively, you can take Envibus Line 2 from Antibes Train Station. Tickets are €1.50, valid for one hour and can be bought via the Envibus Ticket App. Alight from the bus at ‘Fontaine’ – from here you can pick up my trail below at the top of Avenue Mrs L D Beaumont.
⚠️ Many popular apps such as Komoot and All Trails recommend starting out onto the coastal trail directly from Plage de la Garoupe. However I advise completing the hike in the opposite direction. This gets the less interesting road section of the hike out of the way at the beginning. You can, of course, complete the walk in whichever direction you prefer.
Map
🟦 – Road Directions from Plage de la Garoupe to the beginning of the Sentier du Tirepoil
🟧 – Coastal Path Sections 🪧
🟪 – Viewpoints 📸
🟨 – Swimming Spots ⛱️ 🤿
Stage 1 – The Road Part
🥾 From the parking at Plage de la Garoupe, head up the hill to the top of the road with the beach behind you. It is a few hundred metres and not particularly steep.
📸 Insta Tip: Don’t forget to turn around from time to time as you climb higher for the view. In the winter the snow-capped Alps contrast spectacularly with the Mediterranean Sea.
🪧 At the top of the hill take the road ahead and slightly to the right – Avenue de la Tour Gandolphe. Follow this road along for around 600 metres, there are some beautiful villas to see. When the road opens out onto the main road with the small group of shops to the right, follow the next direction.
🪧 Identify the road to the left that is blocked with automatic bollards – Avenue Mrs L D Beaumont – head straight down this road for 450 metres until you reach the end at the gates of the Villa Eilenroc.
ℹ️ The villa with the grand entrance on the left here is the Chateau de la Croë. Currently seized by the French Government from Russian billionaire Roman Abromavich.
Coastal Path – Part 1
🪧 To the right of the Villa Eilenroc there is a pedestrian gate to the Tirepoil path (Sentier du Tirepoil) that leads down to the ⛱️ Baie de Milliardies (Bay of Billionaires) – the first beach of this coastal walk.
ℹ️ Sentier de Tirepoil literally translates to Hair Pull Path – named as a result of the wind that can blow the hair of unsuspecting visitors.
🪧 Facing the beach, the path follows the wall to the left at the back of the beach. Pay attention here as it is quite rough underfoot. A small gap through the wall leads to a steep staircase. It is quite easy to follow this path once at the top of the stairs past the beautiful Villa Eilenroc. – a property bequeathed to the City of Antibes by Mrs Hélène Beaumont in 1982.
📸 Insta Tip – Spend some time taking some beautiful shots across the bay before heading down the next staircase.
🪧 Continue on the path to the steep staircase that leads down to a small harbour. Be careful here as the steps are very steep and can become quite slippy and busy at peak times
Swimming Stop
🤿 – This is a great spot for swimming if you have the time. Note that the water is deep here so confident swimmers only. If feeling brave, try some adrenaline packed rock jumping from the little platform above the harbour. It is fun!
Coastal Path – Part 2 – The Shaded Part
🪧 Continue to the next staircase through the iron gate and you eventually emerge to the rocky outcrop and concrete path that winds along the jagged coast. Feel free to take some of the little detour paths here, you can’t really go wrong.
🧭 You have choice to follow the wider path here which is easy underfoot. If you are feeling adventurous, choose one of the paths closer to the coast. They can be a little overgrown but you will be rewarded with a better view of the sea.
⛱️ Beach Stops
Along this section of the coast there are several little bays and beaches beneath the pine trees that are beautiful for stopping to take in the view and being in the moment.
Find a shaded stop along here for a rest as this is the last section with shade before arriving back at Plage de la Garoupe.
Coastal Path – Part 3 – The Wild Part
🪧 Once you reach the end of the paths on the previous section you will find that that path goes through a small doorway/portal. Turn right and through the next gateway on the opposite side of the small road.
⚠️ Only turn left to loop back to the start if you find that the next section of the path is closed (usually only in rough weather during winter).
From here the walk becomes a little but rough underfoot and where you may need walking poles if you are a little unsteady.
🪧 Follow the coast with the wall on your left, you will have to scramble over some rocks. Eventually after a few hundred metres you will come to a path that is easier to follow. This path winds around the rest of the coastline.
📸 There are various viewpoints along the way where the views are spectacular. Stop to take it all in.
🤿 In summer time I always like to stop at the location shown in the photo below. It is great fun to jump into the water from the rocks here. The ladder at the end of this little outcrop of rocks makes access to and from the water much easier.
Coastal Path – Part 4 – The Steps
The section that follows is also a highlight of the tour as you tower above craggy inlets and can marvel at the blueness of the Meditteranean Sea.
🪧 It is very easy to follow the path onwards. There are staircases up and down along here that can become quite steep and slippy. Please pay attention as you walk, however most sections have adequate hand-rails.
⚠️ It is less easy to access the water and swim along this section, but the path is spectacular and there is some beautiful flora.
Coastal Path – Part 5 – The Final Leg
🪧 Eventually the path will flatten out as you turn the headland where Antibes, the Baie des Anges and Nice comes back into view.
You will again find trees and various patches of shade along here. Access to the water is easier and some shallow spots make it a good stop for those of you with smaller children who want to cool off.
After about 1km the path will now lead you back to the Plage de la Garoupe where the hike started. Outside of the summer months the small palm lined beach to the right of the beach club is perfect for spending the rest of the afternoon. Alternatively, if you feeling like splashing out, book a sun-lounger in advance at the Plage Keller Beach Club and enjoy some pure Riviera luxury – you have earned it.
Getting Back To Antibes
If you did not travel by car to the start of the hike there are two options to travel back to Antibes.
🚲 🥾 Follow the coastal road back to Antibes. A few kilometres of flat walking with continued breathtaking views make this the perfect end to the hike.
🚌 Alternatively follow the direction from the beginning of the hike (copied below) back to the bus stop ‘Fontaine’.
From the parking of Plage de la Garoupe head up the hill to the top with the beach behind you. It is a few hundred metres to the top and not particularly steep.At the top of the hill take the road ahead and slightly to the right – Avenue de la Tour Gandolphe. Follow this road along for around 600 metres, there are some beautiful villas to see. When the road opens out onto the main road you wil find the bus stop ‘Fontaine’ from where you can take Envibus line 2 back to Antibes.
The Wrap Up – Why this is the Antibes Beaches Ultimate Cap d’Antibes Coastal Hike
To discover the spectacular coastline of the French Riviera away from the busier Antibes Beaches, this coastal hike really takes you off the beaten track. Giving you a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, you can also encounter some of the bluest, clearest water that there is to find along the Côte d’Azur.
I strongly recommend scheduling a day for this hike during your trip to Antibes Beaches. You will not regret the time spent on this excursion.