Croix-des-Gardes is a 200 acre hilly wooded park, situated less than one km from the Croisette, on the west side towards La Bocca. The access is free and several paths are made for hikers, with 6 belvederes offering magical views on the Bay of Cannes, its islands, the Estérel mountain and  the foothills of the Alpes d’Azur. It is also the place where the first mimosas were planted on the Cote d’Azur and in February, the whole area is covered by the fragrant blooming trees.  

The Massif de l’Esterel is the  coastal mountain range stretching from Cannes to St Raphael to the west, and covering  an area of 320 km². The nature reserve offers excellent hiking and mountain biking trails including the hiking trail GR 49 and the famous GR 51. The trail GR 51 (Balcony of the Cote d'Azur) goes north, through Auribeau-sur-Siagne (10 km from Cannes) and on to Grasse and points east. To the west, the GR 51 crosses Provence all the way to Marseille.