Alps' Train Experience: Royal Baroque & Salt Route
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Before December 15, 2025 book here:
https://www.viator.com/en-CA/tours/Nice/Mountain-Train-Experience-Hike-to-Mystic-Forest-and-Castle-F-Day/d478-14737P17
Get this Off-the-Beaten-Tracks Mountain Train Experience, now! Through Alps, canyons, viaducts & tunnels, get fresh air following antiques Salt & Baroque Route". Explore hidden gems & breathtaking landscapes into picturesque medieval villages (1 labeled: "one of France's most beautiful villages") & many more.
Lunch incl. in one of the best valley's restaurant.
Visit its medieval jewels, castles’ ruins, panoramic points & Bronce Age Petroglyphs Museum (or mysterious chapel painted in 1492 (Sixtine Chapel of the Alps) - depending on day, season, weather & events.
2nd village is even more spectacular: it looks hanging between sky & earth, a real pearl with steep paved streets. At the top summit, fall in love with a unique Baroque Franciscan convent (17th C.) a heaven of peace immersed in wonderful nature.
Return in Nice at 7pm.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions (except if it rains all-day), please dress appropriately
The guide will send you a text message the day before the tour with the final details (temperature, weather, advises for clothing). If you want to check meteo forecast by yourself type on google: meteo Tende + day of tour)
There is only time departure at 8.30am from Gare de Nice-Ville, 12 avenue Thiers 06000 Nice (the big blue gate) (we don't organize pick-up at the hotel)
Good physical conditions required (there are some important uphills if you want to visit all the monuments)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Professional guide
Driver/guide
Lunch
Fuel surcharge
Live commentary on board
Local taxes
What To Expect
Gare de Nice Ville
Meeting point at 8.30am in front of the main entrance of: Gare de Nice-Ville, 12 avenue Thiers, 06000 Nice Main and oldest train station in Nice. The guide will wait you with a blue sign « Moutain Train Experience » .
Tende
Amazing medieval village nestled into the Alps, visit Tende and its Museum of the Wonders to discover mysterious Bronce Age engravings and other historical artifacts from the Mercantour National Park (protected species of endemic flora and fauna). After lunch in a local restaurant, you'll visit other must-see sites in Tende, such as a baroque cathedral, a labyrinth of medieval streets, panoramic views from the top of the village, the cemetery and the ruins of an ancient castle. *The guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary to visit an equally beautiful village depending on weather conditions, season of the year, trains schedules or restaurants'availabilities, **Example of option to change itinerary during the hottest summer days: - Take a refreshing dip in a natural swimming pool by the river
Options
LAVENDER FARM & NAPOLEON ROUTE
Lavender Farm & Fields (hike): Longer train ride 30mn + Bus ride in Napoleon Route & by the lake + short hike to a beautiful lavender farm & owner reception
Duration: 13 hours: 1st stop to the Lavender Farm with the typical lunch + 2nd stop to the village of Entrevaux with Castle & fortified village
Typical lunch with wines: Local specialties will be served at the lavender field, with pairings of Provençal wines.
About Lavender : Everything about Lavender, thyme, rosemary (customized): properties, medicinal benefits, gastronomy, practical & romantism
Train + Bus + short hike: Cross the Alps by Train (amazing landscapes), bus ride through Napoleon road & relaxing walk through provençal hills
Meet the Farm owner: Be welcomed by Farm owner : 1h expert presentation of lavender production and its uses in cosmetics (& other aromatic plants)
With Restaurant For Lunch
Best Local Food Restaurant: We select for you the Best restaurants in one of the villages
Reviews
665 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Mountain Tour of Aples
DeniseD W,
Oct 6, 2025
- Viator
3.00The train ride was good, however, I was disappointed that the group did not go all the farther on the train. We only saw two villages and no snow top mountains. The guide was very knowledgeable about the area. We ended up doing more hiking than what was expected and people with disabilities could not have handle the hiking part of the tour.
Fantastic day trip
Leslie S,
Oct 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00Be prepared to hike! Great trip. Camilla was wonderful. So much knowledge she shared with our group. It was a really special day.
Alps hiking tour by train
Anna F,
Oct 4, 2025
- Viator
4.00The hiking is more than moderate. The hike up to the castle was steep. Samuel our guide was knowledgeable. Enjoyed the group and the lunch we ate in Entrevaux. Sadly for those not hiking at our second stop in Annot, the shops and eateries were closed so the only thing to do if you decided not to go on the longer hike was sit at a bar. Many in the group were disappointed that the town had shut down for the afternoon hours.
Hike or not!!
Helen R,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
3.00If you’re not a huge hiker I recommend doing half day trip. Do not stay behind and wait in village. No food available. No shopping.
French Alps in a day from Nice
janet s,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
4.00Small train to the Alps. Our guide, Carmela had to make last minute changes due to the bridge being closed In one of the villages we were supposed to visit. We ate a delicious meal and drank some local Wines in Annot after a we finished a walking tour of the town. Next stop was Puget- Thenier where we did another tour around the town and then about a 1/3 of us went one quite a strenuous hike. My only complaint was the wait to catch the train back to Nice was too long. Just about a three hour wait.
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Operated by Nice Creative Tours