Glitzy Cannes is best known for its film festival, and its glamorous collection of international visitors. But Cannes has more to it than that. The city’s position on the gorgeous Cote d’Azur means it’s a great place for a mountain biking holiday.
There are plenty of trails to choose from on a Cannes mountain biking trip. You can explore the city itself, and the coast around it. You can head out into the countryside, through colourful fields and medieval villages. You can travel up into the hills and take on some really challenging, rugged terrain. The choice is yours as Cannes is a great base for mountain bikers of every level.
For a gentle introduction to mountain biking in the area, stick to the flat coastal trails. While much of the coast is built up, not all of it is. If you head west out of the city, past Mandelieu-la-Napoule and you’ll find a beautiful stretch of little villages, quiet inlets and imposing cliffs.
Those cliffs are the base of the Massif de l’Esterel. You’ll find some stunning mountain biking on this range, with views out over the Mediterranean. The area is a protected nature reserve of red, craggy rock and green forest. It is criss-crossed with hundreds of kilometres of mountain biking trails. You can plan a circular ride from Cannes, along the coast a little, and then up to the mountain peaks.
You can also take in the hilly Provencal countryside easily from Cannes. The renowned perfume making city of Grasse lies just north of Cannes. From there, you can head north into the Alpes-Maritimes where you’ll find some great downhill mountain biking, as well as cross-country trails.
On a Cannes mountain biking trip, you’ll find plenty of off-road fun to be had. And after rides, you can recuperate on one of the world’s most glamorous beaches.
