Cap d’Antibes Coastal Walk: The Scenic Trail Around the Peninsula

The Cap d’Antibes Coastal Walk

The Cap d’Antibes coastal walk is part of the famous Sentier du Littoral, the network of coastal paths running along much of the Mediterranean coastline. If you enjoy scenic seaside trails, you may also want to read my guide to the best French Riviera coastal walks, where I compare the region’s most beautiful walks.

This trail is nicknamed the “Sentier de Tire-Poil” or “Pull-Hair Path” path, referring to the sweeping winds that reign here and tend to mess up the hair.

It’s not just the wind that makes it a bit more intense than other coastal paths: the Cap d’Antibes trail itself feels noticeably wilder and more rugged. The terrain constantly changes: some sections are flat dirt paths shaded by pines, while others involve rocky passages, exposed roots, uneven stone staircases, and narrow cliffside stretches above the sea.

The path begins at Plage de la Garoupe 📍, one of the most beautiful beaches in Antibes, tucked into the eastern side of the cape. If you’re planning additional time on the peninsula, you may also want to read my guides on things to do in Antibes and how to visit Antibes on a day trip from Nice.

From Plage de la Garoupe, the path is nice and even as you approach Pointe du Cap Gros 📍, where the scenery starts becoming truly spectacular. A few benches near the beginning of the trail offer places to pause, but further along, the coastal route becomes much more natural and undeveloped.

One of the things I love most about this trail is how quickly the atmosphere changes. Within minutes, the busy French Riviera beach scene disappears, and you find yourself surrounded by cliffs, crashing waves, pine trees, and open Mediterranean views.

In spring, especially, the coastal vegetation becomes incredibly fragrant, with blooming wildflowers and mimosa adding bursts of yellow along the trail.

The terrain soon becomes considerably rougher than on most French Riviera coastal walks. Some stretches are relatively flat but filled with exposed roots, while others consist of sharp limestone rocks, uneven stone staircases, or slightly slippery surfaces near the sea spray.

Certain cliffside passages feel dramatic, though railguards have been installed along the steepest sections.

Despite the rugged terrain, this is not a technical hike. Most reasonably active visitors can complete it comfortably with proper footwear and a careful pace. Flip-flops, however, are absolutely not suitable here.

One thing worth emphasizing is that this is not a trail to rush through. The varied terrain that makes this trail so beautiful also demands caution.

During one of my walks here, I witnessed a jogger fall badly on one of the rocky sections. Emergency services eventually arrived on foot, nearly 45 minutes later, due to the trail’s difficult access points. Incidents like this highlight how important it is to watch your footing carefully throughout the walk.

One of the highlights of the Cap d’Antibes coastal walk is the constant series of turquoise coves appearing below the cliffs. The water here often looks unbelievably clear, especially on sunny days when the Mediterranean shifts between deep sapphire blue and luminous turquoise.

Unlike some other French Riviera coastal paths, however, most coves along this route are not particularly swimmer-friendly. The sea can be rough, access is often steep or impossible, and many cliffs descend sharply into deep water. That said, the scenery is absolutely spectacular.

If sea conditions are calm, several spots along the trail can also be suitable for a refreshing dip, including two small rocky coves 📍 📍 and a swimming ladder attached to the cliffs 📍.

Several rocky plateaus along the route make excellent resting spots for a short break or picnic while listening to the waves crashing below.

Cap d’Antibes is where wild Mediterranean scenery exists side-by-side with some of the French Riviera’s most luxurious real estate.

As the trail continues westward, it passes near some of the peninsula’s most exclusive private estates. One of these is Château de la Croë 📍, one of the legendary properties of Cap d’Antibes.

Further west lies Villa Eilenroc 📍, one of the most beautiful historic estates on the French Riviera. The villa was built in the 1860s by a Dutch governor of the Indies for his wife, Cornelie (“Eilenroc” is her name spelled backwards). Ironically, she disliked the isolated location so much that she eventually abandoned both the villa and the marriage.

The estate later passed into the hands of the Beaumont family, who lavishly decorated the mansion with chandeliers and elegant Belle Époque interiors. The City of Antibes now owns the estate.

Directly behind the Eilenroc estate lies the true highlight of the Cap d’Antibes coastal walk: Baie des Milliardaires, also known as Billionaires’ Bay 📍, a secluded inlet in the Anse de l’Argent Faux.

This secluded cove is one of the peninsula’s most beautiful swimming spots, with crystal-clear water framed by dramatic rocky scenery. Yachts often anchor offshore, while kayakers and paddleboarders occasionally glide into the bay from the open sea.

The beach itself consists of large pebbles and rocks that can be quite sharp and difficult to navigate barefoot, so water shoes are highly recommended.

Because of its somewhat hidden location, the bay still feels surprisingly peaceful compared to many French Riviera beaches. Bringing a small picnic and spending some time here after the walk is absolutely worth it.

During my most recent visit, part of the coastal trail near Villa Eilenroc was temporarily closed for renovation and improvement works.

At first glance, it may seem like the route to Billionaires’ Bay is inaccessible, but there is still an easy workaround.

Simply retrace your steps slightly to the signpost at Pointe de Croë 📍, from where you take the small side road leading toward Villa Eilenroc. Near the villa entrance, a discreet alley descends toward the bay from behind the estate entrance area.

Even if the coastal section is temporarily interrupted, you can still reach Baie des Milliardaires without major difficulty.

After visiting Billionaires’ Bay, you follow the alley 📍 towards the entrance of Villa Eilenroc 📍.

If you still have energy after the coastal walk, you can visit the estate’s magnificent Mediterranean gardens filled with roses, olive trees, and citrus groves spread across 11 hectares overlooking the sea. By the way, if you enjoy visiting historic gardens, my guide to the most beautiful gardens on the French Riviera includes Villa Eilenroc, along with several other remarkable estates.

Then, you can take the route that loops back inland through the quiet residential roads of Cap d’Antibes. Follow Avenue Madame Beaumont before reconnecting toward Plage de la Garoupe via Avenue Tour Gandolphe and Avenue André Sella, or via Boulevard de la Garoupe.

This final part of the walk feels very different from the rugged coastal section. Instead of cliffs and crashing waves, you pass behind hidden luxury villas, lush Mediterranean gardens, and high stone walls protecting the privacy of the peninsula’s elite residents.

Although the estates themselves remain mostly concealed, the atmosphere here feels unmistakably exclusive.

During my last visit, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bike-share station near Villa Eilenroc, which allowed me to continue exploring the peninsula afterward by cycling toward the Garoupe Plateau viewpoint 📍.