One of the most scenic walks on the French Riviera is the Cap Ferrat coastal walk in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the elegant peninsula between Nice and Monaco.
This trail reveals turquoise coves, pine-covered cliffs, and some of the most spectacular Mediterranean views, with the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer on one side and the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the other.
The Cap Ferrat walk isn’t one single continuous trail. Instead, it consists of three distinct sections, each with its own difficulty level and scenery. Some stretches are smooth seaside promenades, while others follow rugged paths carved into the cliffs.
The flexibility to turn it into a short stroll or a longer hike makes it one of my favorite coastal walks on the French Riviera. And thanks to its proximity and easy accessibility from Nice, I get to enjoy it often.
This guide explains the three trail sections, distances, viewpoints, and practical tips to help you plan the walk. The photos were taken along the different sections so you can see exactly what to expect.
So, are you ready to discover the scenic Cap Ferrat coastal walk? Let’s go.
This article explains the Cap Ferrat coastal walk in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a scenic coastal route divided into three trail sections around the peninsula. You’ll learn how each section works and how to combine them into a longer coastal hike.
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Overview of the Cap Ferrat Coastal Walk
The coastal walk around Saint‑Jean‑Cap‑Ferrat consists of three distinct sections. You can walk them separately or combine them into a longer route around the peninsula.
SECTION 1: Boulevard Maurice Rouvier
Hotel Royal-Riviera → Port de Saint-Jean
It’s an easy seaside path perfect for families, strollers, and relaxed walks
🥾 Distance: 1.3 km (0.81 mi)
⏱ Duration: about 20 minutes
↗ Elevation: +5m / −5m
SECTION 2: Pointe Saint-Hospice path
Scaletta Bay → Jardin de la Paix
A scenic coastal trail with rocky sections and spectacular sea views
🥾 Distance: 1.8 km (1.19 mi)
⏱ Duration: about 40 minutes
↗ Elevation: +15m / −15m
SECTION 3: Tour du Cap-Ferrat path
Plage des Fosses → Plage de Passable
The wildest section of the walk, with rocky terrain and uneven steps
🥾 Distance: 4.8 km (2.98 mi)
⏱ Duration: about 1 hour 30 minutes
↗ Elevation: +40m / −40m
FULL TRAIL: Cap Ferrat coastal path
Hotel Royal-Riviera → Plage de Passable
All three sections combined into one trail
🥾 Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 mi)
⏱ Duration: about 3 hours
Where to stay in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Spending the night on the peninsula makes it easy to explore the coastal trail early in the morning or around sunset. My guide on where to stay in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat explains the best areas.
Here’s a hand-picked selection of places to stay near the coastal trail:
Map of the Cap Ferrat Coastal Walk
Before setting off, it helps to understand how the three sections of the Cap Ferrat coastal walk connect around the peninsula. The map below shows the full route and where each trail section begins and ends.
The Three Sections of the Cap Ferrat Coastal Walk
The Cap Ferrat coastal walk is also often called the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat coastal walk, since the entire trail runs around the peninsula belonging to the town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
The coastal trail around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat forms part of the famous Sentier du Littoral, a network of seaside paths that runs along large parts of the Mediterranean coastline. You can find out more about it in my guide on the most scenic French Riviera coastal walks.
Around the peninsula, this coastal path is divided into three main sections, each following a different side of Cap Ferrat. Some parts are smooth promenades along the water, while others wind along rocky cliffs and hidden coves.
The full coastal walk around Saint‑Jean‑Cap‑Ferrat consists of three connected sections: the Promenade Maurice Rouvier, the Pointe Saint-Hospice coastal path, and the Tour du Cap-Ferrat.
If you’re planning to explore the peninsula further, you may also want to read my guides on things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and how to visit it on a (half-)day trip from Nice. These articles will help you plan the perfect visit to this beautiful part of the French Riviera.
1. Promenade Maurice Rouvier Coastal Walk
The Promenade Maurice Rouvier 📍 forms the first stretch of the famous Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat coastal walk, linking Beaulieu-sur-Mer with the port along the eastern edge of the peninsula.
The path runs directly along the water, offering wide views across the Baie des Fourmis toward Villa Kérylos, a remarkable reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa overlooking the bay. Along the way, you’ll pass several elegant Belle Époque villas and landscaped waterfront properties that reflect the refined and luxurious character of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Because this section is paved and almost completely flat, it’s one of the easiest coastal walks on the French Riviera. Families with strollers often enjoy this promenade, and the afternoon shade from the villas and pine trees makes it particularly pleasant on warm days.
The walk ends at the lively Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat 📍, where cafés and restaurants line the harbor.
2. Pointe Saint-Hospice Coastal Path
This is the most scenic section of the Cap Ferrat coastal walk. The trail begins near the Scaletta Cove 📍, formerly associated with the well-known Paloma Beach Club.
From here, the path curves around Pointe Saint‑Hospice, offering spectacular views over the Mediterranean. You’ll pass rocky coves, pine trees, and dramatic viewpoints above the water.
In spring, the fragrance of blooming mimosa trees drifts across parts of the trail, adding another layer to the already spectacular coastal scenery.
A short detour leads uphill to the historic Chapelle Saint-Hospice 📍, located beside the Belgian military cemetery. Next to the chapel stands an impressive statue of the Madonna holding the infant Jesus, visible from the sea below.
The trail ends at the peaceful Jardin de la Paix 📍, a small garden overlooking the stunning Plage des Fossettes. In season, a little café with deck chairs makes it a pleasant place to pause before continuing the walk. I always find myself lingering here after walking this section. The view is just spectacular.
3. Tour du Cap-Ferrat Coastal Walk
This is the longest and most remote section of the Cap Ferrat coastal walk, wrapping around the peninsula’s southern tip. A small alley from the port area, the Passage des Fosses 📍, leads directly to the trailhead on the western end of Plage des Fosses 📍.
The trail begins relatively smoothly, but once you round the southern tip of the cape and head north, the terrain becomes more rugged. The path turns into a dirt trail with rocks, roots, and uneven steps, passing a series of small coves carved into the coastline.
Along the way, the trail also passes the lighthouse 📍 at the tip of the peninsula and curves around the luxurious Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, one of the most iconic hotels on the French Riviera.
In the final stretch of the trail, there’s a scenic cove called Plage de la Gavinette 📍, my favorite spot for a refreshing dip.
Eventually, the path reaches Plage de Passable 📍, a west-facing beach known for its beautiful sunset views across the bay toward Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Best Viewpoints on the Cap Ferrat Coastal Walk
One of the highlights of walking around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the constant variety of viewpoints along the coastline. Because the peninsula stretches out into the Mediterranean, the views change dramatically depending on which side of the cape you are walking.
Along the way, several spots stand out for their particularly spectacular scenery. Keep an eye out for these viewpoints while walking the Cap Ferrat coastal path:
Tip: Some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the peninsula can actually be found inland at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The estate overlooks both sides of Cap Ferrat and features one of the most beautiful gardens of the French Riviera. If you have extra time after completing the coastal walk, visiting the villa is a wonderful way to appreciate the geography of the cape from above.
How to Reach the Cap Ferrat Coastal Walk
The coastal trails around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are easy to reach from nearby towns along the Côte d’Azur.
From Nice, Lignes d’Azur bus line 15 connects the city with the peninsula in about 30 minutes. Another option is to take the train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, which is near the trailhead of the first section of the walk. My article on how to get from Nice to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat zooms in on all transportation options.
Many visitors combine the walk with a visit to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer or Beaulieu-sur-Mer, two picturesque Riviera towns located at the entrance of the peninsula.
Practical tips for walking Cap Ferrat
Even though the Cap Ferrat coastal walk is not extremely long, being prepared makes the experience much more enjoyable. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the trail.
Can you combine the Cap Ferrat walk with other coastal trails?
If you enjoy coastal walking, you can easily combine the Cap Ferrat coastal walk with the scenic trail between Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
That route follows the cliffs around Cap de Nice and is another spectacular section of the Sentier du Littoral network. Many walkers visit both trails during the same trip to explore different parts of the coastline.
👉 See the full guide to the walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Other routes that follow beautiful sections of the Sentier du Littoral are the spectacular Cap d’Ail coastal walk and the Cap Martin coastal walk near Monaco. Both offer a very different atmosphere from Cap Ferrat, with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and scenic stretches of coastline.
FAQ about the Cap Ferrat coastal walk
When will you explore the Cap Ferrat coastal walk?
The Cap Ferrat coastal walk is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the landscapes of Saint‑Jean‑Cap‑Ferrat.
Whether you choose a short seaside promenade or a longer adventure around the peninsula, this scenic trail reveals some of the most beautiful coastal views on the French Riviera.
So, lace up those hiking boots and enjoy the walk.
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