Around the summit of Rastel, starting from Peillon.

From the start of this walk, a paved slanting street winds its way at the foot of the Rastel rock massif, offering magnificent views of the old medieval village of Peillon.

The entire return trail between the villages of Peille and Peillon, on the western side of Rastel, is a delightful walk through wooded areas.

Details

n°3351611

Creation:
02 Jun 2020

Last update:
15 Mar 2021

Last review:
22 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.57 km
Average duration: 4h 15
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 543 m
Descent: - 540 m
Highest point: 714 m
Lowest point: 365 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Préalpes de Nice
District: Peillon (06440)
Start/End: N 43.778694° / E 7.381497°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3742OT
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Photos

Return trail between Peille and Peillon.

Access road to the gate (path adjacent to it).

Peille, with its 15th-century Gothic fountain and vaulted passageway.

Description of the walk

Departure and arrival from the car park in the old village of Peillon.

(S/E) Take the wide staircase just behind the fountain.
Marker 586. Leave the built-up area at the village exit, just after the calvary, and stay on the left-hand path.

(1) Take the path on the right, following the signs towards Peille. Marker 580. You will soon reach the Launa stream. Follow it on the right bank until you reach a bridge.

(2) Cross over to the left bank, continue on until you reach marker 581. Leave the stream and follow one of its tributaries. You will reach the village of Bompin and marker 564 at the junction with the D53 Peille-La Turbie road.

(3) Cross this road and take the path opposite, cross another road and then reach the Chapel of Saint-Pancrace.

(4) Continue along the wooded path until you reach the tarmac road at marker 563. Turn right and follow this road until you reach marker 562, taking great care with the traffic on this section.

(5) Leave the road and turn left onto the path. Head towards Peille. Go around it to the south, passing markers 561 and 560 in succession. Walk alongside the Ecomuseum, go down the steps in front of the town hall to reach the crossroads at marker 570.

(6) Continue straight ahead and down the path to reach the Faquin stream.

(7) Cross it and begin another climb to reach the crossroads at marker 559.

(8) Continue uphill and then begin the descent towards Peillon.

(9) At marker 579, turn sharply right, then left at the^first intersection. Return to the tarmac road at the cemetery and descend the winding path to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 367 m - Car park: Old village of Peillon
1 : km 0.28 - alt. 391 m - Marker 580: Peille signpost
2 : km 1.33 - alt. 495 m - Launa stream bridge
3 : km 2.9 - alt. 660 m - Beacon 564
4 : km 3.27 - alt. 712 m - Saint-Pancrace Chapel
5 : km 4.26 - alt. 649 m - Beacon 562
6 : km 5.4 - alt. 587 m - Marker 570 signpost Peillon
7 : km 6.13 - alt. 402 m - Faquin stream
8 : km 7.31 - alt. 493 m - Beacon 559
9 : km 9.19 - alt. 418 m - Beacon 579
S/E : km 9.57 - alt. 366 m - Car park in the old village of Peillon.

Notes

- Water and food available in both villages.

- The return journey from Peille to Peillon takes place in a wooded area, which is very pleasant in the sunshine.

Worth a visit

These two medieval villages are well worth a visit.

- Peille.
Pass under the mobile bridge of the via ferrata to reach this very pretty village via the old stone gate. Discover the old streets, the vaulted passageways and all its heritage, including the Lascaris Palace, Place Mont Agel and its Gothic fountain. There is an information point to the east of the village. Finish your walk in the central street and the Léo Ferré area, where the town hall is located.

- Peillon
End this walk with a visit to the magnificent hilltop village of Peillon. Its winding streets with wide staircases and, at the top, the church square with benches under the trees, ideal for resting. An orientation table is located just above. A change of scenery guaranteed.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

bernard bb

22 Oct 2025 at 16:44 7200

Thank you for this review, User 16263126
But indeed, there are few or no markings.
best regards, B.

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User 16263126

20 Oct 2025 at 09:07 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant and easy, with a few slightly technical rocky sections. The lack of signposts when crossing Peille was regrettable. A plus for summer, as it is shaded!

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bernard bb

22 Sep 2025 at 00:01 7200

thank you, intrepid hiker
and if no one has complained, that's perfect :-))
best regards, B.

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randonneurintrépide

22 Sep 2025 at 13:40 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, varied walk. Visiting Peille is a real treat. You have to pay attention so you don't miss the start of the path just before you arrive in Peille. The descent to Le Farquin is very steep, especially at the beginning, but no one complained. It's the kind of walk I love

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bernard bb

29 Apr 2025 at 09:27 7200

Thank you, Régis Bertrand, for pointing out this tricky passage that requires our full attention.

These magnificent old villages are places where we sometimes move around "by intuition". In this case, a map is useless, but a compass allows us to maintain not a course, but an orientation, which is always useful.
If you take the wrong street or alley, there is always something to see.
Best regards, B.

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régis Bertrand

28 Apr 2025 at 20:58 7200

A map and compass in the middle of a village with narrow streets, passages under houses, etc. I'm not sure that helps much! As for the rocks, there are indeed many of them. I pointed this out because there is a very tricky passage at the exit of the village....

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bernard bb

28 Apr 2025 at 20:49 7200

Hello Régis Bertrand
Thank you for your advice.
Don't hesitate to take a map and compass with you in your bag
It can sometimes come in handy
rocks, as on many trails in the 06 department
Best regards, B.

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régis Bertrand

28 Apr 2025 at 08:59 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's difficult to find your way around Peille; GPS doesn't work in the village, nor does it at the start of the return journey. Make sure you wear good shoes for the descent, as there are lots of stones, which isn't very pleasant and can be a little dangerous.

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bernard bb

11 Jul 2023 at 22:39 7200

Thank you, LaGauth, for your constructive feedback
best regards, Rando B.

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LaGauth

11 Jul 2023 at 10:17 7200 • Edited: 11 Jul 2023 at 10:24 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant circular trail that takes you from plains to woodland.
No major difficulties, suitable for all levels.

Thanks for the route 👍

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bernard bb

12 Sep 2022 at 07:41 7200

Thank you Danielaime06 for this "warm" addition
best regards, Rando B.

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danielaime06

10 Sep 2022 at 09:19 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a lovely morning following this route and visiting these two charming villages. Thank you!
The blue "RdC" (?) markings are very useful for guiding hikers along sections that are not marked in yellow or where the signposts have disappeared...
As it was already hot at midday, we had a picnic in the dry stream bed (point 7). I recommend this in hot weather.

However, be careful if you are not comfortable with descents, as there are some "slippery" sections on the Peille-Peillon return route. Good footwear is strongly recommended.

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bernard bb

24 Aug 2022 at 16:29 7200

Thank you Rio Tholal for this excellent review
you've said it all
Best regards, Rando B.

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RioTholal

24 Aug 2022 at 13:30 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk with varied terrain, including a beautiful section through the woods on the way back, which is very pleasant in summer.
The villages of Peille and Peillon are a must-see. In Peillon, climb up to the church for the view and in Peille, visit the war memorials above the Prince of Monaco Square. It's also a lovely spot for a picnic.
The only thing not to miss is the descent on the left when you are on the road to Peille, where marker 562 has disappeared. There is a blue arrow painted on the ground and this is the only place where the safety barrier is open and therefore visible .
I see a comment about the distant quarry at the bottom of the valley. Indeed, when the south wind blows, it creates noise pollution, but otherwise you can't hear it! You have to go on the right day