Nice Trail Running - Èze Seaside

Èze Seaside – Nice

The first edition of our trail running routes is a classic, and if you have nothing against a short train ride to get to a route as breath-taking as it is wild, this itinerary is for you. You will find yourself in shorts and running shoes among the passengers of the Regional Express Train (TER). You board at Nice-Ville and some of them will look at you questioningly, others may gaze enviously at you. Leave the wagon at Èze Bord de Mer station (roughly a 20-minute trip).

Descending a few metres from the station you will reach a pebble beach with translucent water, a small detour that is worth a look. But to start running the prescribed route, you must go back up onto the road and cross over it.

The Nietzsche path, named after the famous philosopher, weaves its way between the stone walls of beautiful Riviera villas. Make a few round trips on the flat to climb as a warm-up, so as not to be surprised by the coast which immediately faces you. In the next 30 minutes you are not going to stop climbing. As you rise above the sea, the landscape becomes even more grandiose, and after just over 250 meters of elevation, you enter the village of Èze.

The rock of Èze has been home to local populations since the Iron Age, around 220 BC but your route around it is not the typical tourist trail. The plot takes the road towards Nice for about a kilometre before starting a new ascent up the mountainside. The path is steep, so don’t be tempted to walk here as the spectacle to come is worth the effort. The Col d'Èze soon comes into view.

From here the descent is made by the strategic road, with a remarkable curiosity on the northern flank of Mont Leuze where you can see the four paths leading to the col. Then it’s on to the Parc du Vinaigrier and the atmosphere of the route somehow switches as you arrive between olive trees and old stone walls. And then suddenly, we enter Nice.

THE DOG'S HEAD

Somewhat technical trail with an incredible view of Monaco at its peak and finishing at La Mala beach.

SAINT JEAN CAP FERRAT

A relatively easy route that winds its way to Paloma Beach for impeccable views and a finish by the sea.

MOUNT BORON

Beginning at Café du Cycliste, this is the most accessible route if you’re short of time and need to leave your gear somewhere.

NICE TRAIL RUNNING GUIDE

For the visiting runner in Nice, you can take any number of routes and find yourself on terrific terrain with stunning scenery that will make you want to stay forever.