Coursegoules hiking tour – Viériou circuit

On this hike from Coursegoules – Circuit de Viériou – you’ll experience some of the most stunning views from the Cherion ridge north of Coursegoules and be greeted with a feeling of freedom, peace of mind and that nature is amazing – and that’s exactly what it is!

Tips for the hike! Download the free version of the Alltraills app and be guided live on the tour. Then you can see exactly where you are in the terrain and which paths to follow at any time. Once you have the app on your phone, simply click on this link: Hike: Coursegoules – Circuit de Viériou

Tour description Circuit de Viériou

This hike – Circuit de Viériou – starts in the medieval town of Coursegoules and is a panoramic round trip of 7.5 km. It can be divided into 3 stages:

Phase 1 – the ascent to the plateau of the Cheiron mountain ridge of approximately 2 km.
Phase 2 – hike along the plateau of approx. 2 km
Phase 3 – the descent of approx. 3.5 km back to town.

All 3 stages offer great views and this is a trip you’ll want to do many times over.

Length: 7.5 km
Difficulty level: moderate
Time consumption: 3 hours
Elevation +/- 430 m

Get started

The tour starts from the parking lot “Parking du Colombier” behind the town at a height of 1020 m and from here it is only 200 m to the trail. It is recommended NOT to drive through the town as there are some very narrow passages and instead take Chemin de Cousègle (D108) up to the parking lot.

From the parking lot, head east – about 200 m and the path starts on the left towards Sommet de Viériou and Col de Coursegoules.

Signposts for the hike Circuit de Viériou Coursegoules — *The hike starts just 200 m from the parking lot and is clearly marked – ©cityxee.com*

The ascent

It is approximately 2 km to the top of the plateau. The climb is moderate and takes about 40 minutes. The first part goes through a small forest before reaching the open countryside.

hike Coursegoules ascent Circuit de Viériou — *On the ascent to Col de Coursegoules there are great views down to the city – ©cityxee.com*

These are nice trails and you are already spoiled with good views.

This tour reaches an altitude of 1416 m.

The tour along the plateau

Once you arrive at the top of the Cheiron ridge, the ride shows its potential. With 360-degree panoramic views, you’ll have a great view of the Mercantour mountains to the north and the entire Mediterranean coastline.

hiking Coursegoules on the ridge - circuit de viériou — *The hike across the ridge of the Cherion massif is magical – ©cityxee.com*

The descent

After covering the 2 km on the ridge of the Cherion massif, head back to Coursegoules. Keep left when you meet crossing paths.

With about 2 km to go, you’ll come to an intersection marked with a small hiker’s sign. Go straight ahead and shortly after you’ll come across an old chapel – Chapelle Saint-Michel.

Saint-Michel kapellet Goursegoules vandretur circuit de viériou — *On the last part of the descent, you’ll encounter the Saint-Michel chapel, which dates back to the 8th century – ©cityxee.com*

The Saint-Michel chapel was probably built on an old fanum of a Gallo-Roman villa.

The chapel was served by monks attached to the Lérins monastery and a monastery in the Lagnes area near Avignon.

Well-earned dining in the heart of the city

Once you arrive at Coursegoules again, it’s a good idea to finish off with a small meal in the cozy little square – Place de la Clastre.

Place de la Clastre - Coursegoules — *One of the city’s cozy squares – Place de la Clastre – ©cityxee.com*

Map of Coursegoules:
Coursegoules is a small village of about 600 inhabitants in the highlands of Vence, stretching from the Col de Vence to the Cherion massif in the north and the Saint-Barnabé plateau in the south.

It is a former fortified medieval town and you can still find remains of the fortification, ramparts and gate.

One of the highlights of the city is the 12th-century Romanesque church of Saint-Marie-Madeleine.

By Tommy Sverre – 2022