Hiking from Sospel to Menton on the GR 52

From Sospel (b.105), take the old Col de Castillon road (D.2566). Cross the railroad line and, just after the first hairpin bend, take the small road to Fontan on the left (b.106). This soon becomes a track, which you follow until you turn right onto the GR (b.106a), which crosses it and joins it at a higher level. At the first right-hand hairpin, follow the start of a track back to the path (GR), which climbs the slope (b.107) before emerging on the ridge (fontaine - b.107a). A climb through undergrowth takes you to the Col du Razet (1,032 m - b.17); continue along the flank (GR52) to Colla Bassa (1,107 m - b.16) and turn right onto the track heading south.
Further down, fork right onto a path (GR) to reach Mourga (b.15). Leave the ruin on the right to cross the slope and join a track (b.14) which you must follow to the right downhill to pick up the path on the left (GR52 - b.13). The final climb begins (b.12) to the large pine trees below the Col du Berceau pass (1,090 m). Don't miss the chance to climb to the aerial summit of Roc d'Orméa (1,132 m) via a short round trip. The descent on the south-facing slope is steep, rocky and technical. The slope becomes gentler as you come into contact with the forest (716 m), a crossroads of itineraries (b.11) where you must continue level in the direction of Plan du Lion (b.10), leaving the GR51 to the right. At the end of the plateau marked by a recent fire (b.9), take the path (GR52) which plunges straight down the slope to lead onto a track at the level of the St-Paul district (446 m - b 8). Continue straight ahead along the track, then take the left-hand path (GR) which descends steeply (beacons 7 and 6) to the gates of Menton. Follow the freeway to the right, then pass under it before continuing (b.5) downhill (GR52 - b.4). After reaching the bd de Garavan (b.3), return to the old castle (b.1) and the Sablettes beach via the picturesque narrow streets.

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