A magnificent balcony route above the Roya and Bévéra valleys, the hilltop villages trail takes you through chestnut and conifer forests and olive groves.
takes you through chestnut and conifer forests and olive groves.
takes you through chestnut and conifer forests and olive groves.
From Tende, at the top of the Roya Valley, you can reach the Bévéra Valley (Sospel), and the Mentonnais region (Castillon or Castellar), discovering numerous hilltop villages and hamlets.
The trails are accessible to all levels of walker, traversing a wide variety of landscapes and offering exceptional views. Added to this natural beauty is the opportunity to discover the region's historical and cultural heritage, with its many Baroque buildings, Maginot Line forts, museums and monumental railway stations. Last but not least, the region offers a wide range of outdoor activities: white-water sports, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding...
The itinerary is presented here in its entirety, but it can be broken down at will thanks to the Nice-Turin railroad line: connecting almost all the stages, the train allows you to return to the starting point or skip a stage.
ATTENTION: check weather conditions and possible landslides depending on the season.
season.
Day 1: Tende - St-Dalmas de Tende.
Stage1: Tende - La Brigue
Duration : 2h15
Ascent: 350 m.
Descent: 340 m.
Opposite Rue de France (pedestrian zone), take Rue du Général Doyen (b.55) downhill, then head for the foot of the imposing railroad viaduct (b.53). Follow 100m of minor road to marker 62 and take the path through the undergrowth to the Aigle monument (b.61). The path climbs steeply up to marker 60, and a large ascending traverse leads to the Col de Boselia (1111m, b.285). Descend and cross the often dry valley (b.284). Head towards a young black pine plantation and descend a few tight switchbacks. Continue as far as the crossroads. Cross the Levenza stream on the road bridge (b.49). Reach the center of the village of La Brigue.
Stage 2: La Brigue - St-Dalmas-de-Tende.
Duration: 1h15
Ascent: 50 m.
Descent: 120 m.
From the town hall square, pass behind the chapel (b.44). From here, the path climbs slightly and then flattens out (b.43).
Cross the Armaneïra woods without difficulty as far as marker 42, a crossroads. Continue on to the place known as Ste Anne and continue along a railway shelter, then the "Pocassero" bars, crossing a ravine-like passage. Note that here you are above one of the famous underground spiral loops along the Nice-Cuneo railway line (b.41). Follow an access track to a house (b.41). Then head due north (right) to reach St Dalmas via a small, shady road (b.40). Return by train to La Brigue and Tende.
Day 2: St-Dalmas-de-Tende - Fontan
Stage 1: St-Dalmas - Granile
Duration: 1h45
Ascent: 400 m
Descent: 0 m
Take the path at the Guardarena bridge (b.41a and 41b), just outside St Dalmas, at the junction of the Bieugne and Roya torrents. Reach Granile via the Fouigé and Ruga districts. The path, which is steep at first, crosses and skirts the little-used local road several times.
Stage 2: Granile - Berghe supérieur
Duration: 30 min.
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 200 m.
The trail joins the path leading down to Paganin (b.219). Take the other path which passes the cemetery and church of Berghe Supérieur.
Stage 3: Berghe Supérieur - Berghe inférieur - Fontan
Duration: 2 hrs 45 min.
Ascent: 200 m.
Descent: 500 m.
From Berghe Supérieur, pass marker 32, then follow the road to marker 211, and turn onto the path towards Berghe Inférieur to marker 212. Here you'll find a hikers' cottage called Berghon. Pass the hamlet and at marker 218, you start the descent to Fontan, passing marker 218a, then marker 218b, and finally the road to Fontan.
Day 3: Fontan - Breil-sur-Roya
Stage 1: Fontan - Saorge
Time: 2h15
Ascent: 436 m.
Descent: 346 m.
Head for the Fontan/Saorge station (b.431), following the road alongside the railroad (large wall on left), until you reach beacon 430, just opposite the station (on left). Continue on to reach the pine forest overlooking Fontan, via a fairly long, unshaded climb. You then come to the path that rises above the roofs of Saorge (b.23). Reach the upper parking lot (b.21and b.22) and then the lower parking lot. This relatively long half-stage can be shortened by taking route départementale 38, which links Fontan to Saorge (distance 2.5km, 30 minutes slightly uphill). Be careful, however, as this little-traveled road takes you through a long (250 m), dimly-lit tunnel.
Stage 2: Saorge - Breil-sur-Roya
Duration: 3hrs 45mins
Ascent: 340 m.
Descent: 640 m.
Leave the village of Saorge (b.19), follow the path down the RN 204 for 100m (watch out for cars!) (b.17). You come to the Bain du Sémite (b.16), an inviting spot for a swim. Cross the Gorges de Saorge on a magnificent balcony path, then descend to a vast scree slope. Cross the scree. You come to a place called Chiendat (b.156), then to a cultivated property (b.154, b.155). Join the Caïné valley. You reach the Orneglia district, still inhabited (b.153), then the Zouayné valley (b.108). At marker 10, cross a landscaped pine forest (b.9), then cross the Roya by the road bridge. Cross the village of Breil sur Roya either along the central street, which is always shaded, or along the lakeside. Return by train to Saorge
Day 4: Breil-sur-Roya -Sospel.
Stage 1: Breil-sur-Roya-Piène Haute
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 300 m.
Descent: 0 m.
Go through Breil sur Roya towards Ventimiglia; as you leave the village, in a bend, a path starts off to the right (b.2). Follow the signs to Piène-Haute. Walk quietly to marker 118, then descend to the bottom of the valley, cross the stream and climb up the other side. At marker 439, you start the last short, fairly steep climb, in the shade of the pines, towards Piène-haute, which you can see perched on the ridge. The finish offers an exceptional view of both the sea and the surrounding mountains.
Stage 2: Piène-Haute - Sospel.
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 250 m.
Leave Piène Haute along the tarmac road towards Sospel (b.115), 200m along, take the path on the left towards the chapel of St Jerôme, from where you can see the sea. Once on the road, turn right towards Sospel. After passing an old lime kiln and a 17th-century siphon bridge on your right, take the GR 52 towards Sospel along the "sentier botanique". Return to Breil-sur-Roya by train.
Day 5: Sospel-Pays Mentonnais
Stage 1: Sospel - Col du Razet
Duration: 2h30.
Ascent: 600 m.
Descent: 0 m.
Pleasant, shady trail with a steady gradient. Head for Menton via the Col de Castillon (b.105), pass by the municipal swimming pool (b.106), after the level crossing follow the GR 52 on the track which climbs towards the Col du Razet, then in a hairpin bend, the route leaves the track to become a small path in the undergrowth. Climb up to the Col du
Razet. The climb is gentle and shady.
Stage 2: Col du Razet - Castillon
Duration: 1hr 45mins
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 400 m.
At the Col du Razet, head for Pierre Pointue (b.91, 93), from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of the coastline, then descend a few hairpin bends through rocky terrain to reach the Col de Castillon, on the former site of the village. Follow the narrow road to Castillon, an artists' village.
Stage 2 bis: Col du Razet- Castellar
Duration: 2 hrs.
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 600 m.
An easy path with a continuous descent, from which you can always see the sea. At the crossroads, head for Col du Tretore on the GR 52 (b.95), the path following the side of the mountain. At the next crossroads, stay on course and follow the GR, which passes over a small road to lead you quietly to Castellar, a balcony above the Mediterranean.
The trails are accessible to all levels of walker, traversing a wide variety of landscapes and offering exceptional views. Added to this natural beauty is the opportunity to discover the region's historical and cultural heritage, with its many Baroque buildings, Maginot Line forts, museums and monumental railway stations. Last but not least, the region offers a wide range of outdoor activities: white-water sports, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding...
The itinerary is presented here in its entirety, but it can be broken down at will thanks to the Nice-Turin railroad line: connecting almost all the stages, the train allows you to return to the starting point or skip a stage.
ATTENTION: check weather conditions and possible landslides depending on the season.
season.
Day 1: Tende - St-Dalmas de Tende.
Stage1: Tende - La Brigue
Duration : 2h15
Ascent: 350 m.
Descent: 340 m.
Opposite Rue de France (pedestrian zone), take Rue du Général Doyen (b.55) downhill, then head for the foot of the imposing railroad viaduct (b.53). Follow 100m of minor road to marker 62 and take the path through the undergrowth to the Aigle monument (b.61). The path climbs steeply up to marker 60, and a large ascending traverse leads to the Col de Boselia (1111m, b.285). Descend and cross the often dry valley (b.284). Head towards a young black pine plantation and descend a few tight switchbacks. Continue as far as the crossroads. Cross the Levenza stream on the road bridge (b.49). Reach the center of the village of La Brigue.
Stage 2: La Brigue - St-Dalmas-de-Tende.
Duration: 1h15
Ascent: 50 m.
Descent: 120 m.
From the town hall square, pass behind the chapel (b.44). From here, the path climbs slightly and then flattens out (b.43).
Cross the Armaneïra woods without difficulty as far as marker 42, a crossroads. Continue on to the place known as Ste Anne and continue along a railway shelter, then the "Pocassero" bars, crossing a ravine-like passage. Note that here you are above one of the famous underground spiral loops along the Nice-Cuneo railway line (b.41). Follow an access track to a house (b.41). Then head due north (right) to reach St Dalmas via a small, shady road (b.40). Return by train to La Brigue and Tende.
Day 2: St-Dalmas-de-Tende - Fontan
Stage 1: St-Dalmas - Granile
Duration: 1h45
Ascent: 400 m
Descent: 0 m
Take the path at the Guardarena bridge (b.41a and 41b), just outside St Dalmas, at the junction of the Bieugne and Roya torrents. Reach Granile via the Fouigé and Ruga districts. The path, which is steep at first, crosses and skirts the little-used local road several times.
Stage 2: Granile - Berghe supérieur
Duration: 30 min.
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 200 m.
The trail joins the path leading down to Paganin (b.219). Take the other path which passes the cemetery and church of Berghe Supérieur.
Stage 3: Berghe Supérieur - Berghe inférieur - Fontan
Duration: 2 hrs 45 min.
Ascent: 200 m.
Descent: 500 m.
From Berghe Supérieur, pass marker 32, then follow the road to marker 211, and turn onto the path towards Berghe Inférieur to marker 212. Here you'll find a hikers' cottage called Berghon. Pass the hamlet and at marker 218, you start the descent to Fontan, passing marker 218a, then marker 218b, and finally the road to Fontan.
Day 3: Fontan - Breil-sur-Roya
Stage 1: Fontan - Saorge
Time: 2h15
Ascent: 436 m.
Descent: 346 m.
Head for the Fontan/Saorge station (b.431), following the road alongside the railroad (large wall on left), until you reach beacon 430, just opposite the station (on left). Continue on to reach the pine forest overlooking Fontan, via a fairly long, unshaded climb. You then come to the path that rises above the roofs of Saorge (b.23). Reach the upper parking lot (b.21and b.22) and then the lower parking lot. This relatively long half-stage can be shortened by taking route départementale 38, which links Fontan to Saorge (distance 2.5km, 30 minutes slightly uphill). Be careful, however, as this little-traveled road takes you through a long (250 m), dimly-lit tunnel.
Stage 2: Saorge - Breil-sur-Roya
Duration: 3hrs 45mins
Ascent: 340 m.
Descent: 640 m.
Leave the village of Saorge (b.19), follow the path down the RN 204 for 100m (watch out for cars!) (b.17). You come to the Bain du Sémite (b.16), an inviting spot for a swim. Cross the Gorges de Saorge on a magnificent balcony path, then descend to a vast scree slope. Cross the scree. You come to a place called Chiendat (b.156), then to a cultivated property (b.154, b.155). Join the Caïné valley. You reach the Orneglia district, still inhabited (b.153), then the Zouayné valley (b.108). At marker 10, cross a landscaped pine forest (b.9), then cross the Roya by the road bridge. Cross the village of Breil sur Roya either along the central street, which is always shaded, or along the lakeside. Return by train to Saorge
Day 4: Breil-sur-Roya -Sospel.
Stage 1: Breil-sur-Roya-Piène Haute
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 300 m.
Descent: 0 m.
Go through Breil sur Roya towards Ventimiglia; as you leave the village, in a bend, a path starts off to the right (b.2). Follow the signs to Piène-Haute. Walk quietly to marker 118, then descend to the bottom of the valley, cross the stream and climb up the other side. At marker 439, you start the last short, fairly steep climb, in the shade of the pines, towards Piène-haute, which you can see perched on the ridge. The finish offers an exceptional view of both the sea and the surrounding mountains.
Stage 2: Piène-Haute - Sospel.
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 250 m.
Leave Piène Haute along the tarmac road towards Sospel (b.115), 200m along, take the path on the left towards the chapel of St Jerôme, from where you can see the sea. Once on the road, turn right towards Sospel. After passing an old lime kiln and a 17th-century siphon bridge on your right, take the GR 52 towards Sospel along the "sentier botanique". Return to Breil-sur-Roya by train.
Day 5: Sospel-Pays Mentonnais
Stage 1: Sospel - Col du Razet
Duration: 2h30.
Ascent: 600 m.
Descent: 0 m.
Pleasant, shady trail with a steady gradient. Head for Menton via the Col de Castillon (b.105), pass by the municipal swimming pool (b.106), after the level crossing follow the GR 52 on the track which climbs towards the Col du Razet, then in a hairpin bend, the route leaves the track to become a small path in the undergrowth. Climb up to the Col du
Razet. The climb is gentle and shady.
Stage 2: Col du Razet - Castillon
Duration: 1hr 45mins
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 400 m.
At the Col du Razet, head for Pierre Pointue (b.91, 93), from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of the coastline, then descend a few hairpin bends through rocky terrain to reach the Col de Castillon, on the former site of the village. Follow the narrow road to Castillon, an artists' village.
Stage 2 bis: Col du Razet- Castellar
Duration: 2 hrs.
Ascent: 0 m.
Descent: 600 m.
An easy path with a continuous descent, from which you can always see the sea. At the crossroads, head for Col du Tretore on the GR 52 (b.95), the path following the side of the mountain. At the next crossroads, stay on course and follow the GR, which passes over a small road to lead you quietly to Castellar, a balcony above the Mediterranean.
Legal informations
Legal informations
- SIRET number : 49068230900011
Plain text period
All year round daily.Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
