When hiking in Le Cros-D'utelle, the choice is clear: the five-hour loop to Chapelle Saint-Antoine or the route through the Gorges de la VĂ©subie, which connects the church, chapel and lanes of Utelle. Chestnut forest, GR5 markers and the viewpoint on the left bank of the VĂ©subie define the first hike; the second follows a series of named stops. Planning is made easier by specific information about time and elevation gain, as well as the different focuses of each route.
Hiking to Chapelle Saint-Antoine
The hike to Chapelle Saint-Antoine is listed as taking five hours in total, with 693 metres of elevation gain and a “fairly difficult” rating. Allow a significant part of the day for this outing. Taken together, the duration, elevation gain and difficulty rating make this a demanding hike. The route is a loop with variations. Access to the hike is four kilometres past Plan-du-Var, via the road to Le Cros-D'utelle.
On the ascent, the trail passes through a chestnut forest and is marked with red-and-white GR5 blazes. The GR5 passes through Le Cros-D'utelle and connects Nice with the Netherlands. Chapelle Saint-Antoine is a viewpoint on the left bank of the VĂ©subie. In autumn, you can collect chestnuts and mushrooms along the hike.
Route through the Gorges de la VĂ©subie
The route through the Gorges de la VĂ©subie starts in the hamlet of Le Cros-D'utelle. From the church, it leads past Chapelle Saint-Antoine to the typical lanes of the village of Utelle. Its course thus links several named stops, from the church area to the chapel and on to the lanes. The path is wide; the paving is still intact in some sections. If you want to explore not only the viewpoint but also this series of places, you can follow the route.
The Church of La Trinité in Le Cros-D'utelle is surrounded by well-kept olive groves. This brings together a named landmark and a specific landscape feature. Madone d’Utelle sanctuary is also of interest in the regional cultural context: it is a place of worship founded in 850.
Kayaking on the VĂ©subie
For a different kind of activity, there is the VĂ©subie P5 kayaking route. It runs from Le Cros-D'utelle to the confluence with the Var. If you are planning a trip on this route, check the river conditions separately.
The options differ in focus when choosing how to spend the day: the Chapelle hike centres on time, elevation gain and difficulty; the Gorges route passes the church and chapel before reaching the lanes of Utelle; the kayaking route goes as far as the confluence with the Var. Use these activities to guide your search for a holiday rental, depending on which ones you want to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Belvedere, Séranon, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Grasse, Le Bar-Sur-Loup, Saint-Etienne-De-Tinée, Entraunes, Antibes
For the main travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.
