Walk to see marmots from Col de l'Espaul

A short, very easy trail, ideal for a family walk, in an area frequented by marmots.

Details

n°3606914

Creation:
17 Jul 2020

Last update:
28 Apr 2025

Last review:
13 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.19 km
Average duration: 2h 05
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 214 m
Descent: - 216 m
Highest point: 1,960 m
Lowest point: 1,744 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Mercantour
District: Péone (06470)
Start/End: N 44.110652° / E 6.958274°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3640OT
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Description of the walk

Departure from Col de l'Espaul after Valberg golf course.
This route presents no difficulty.
Round trip walk with stops possible at any time or a very easy circular loop.

(S/E) From marker No. 7: take the path heading north, then turn left at the fork towards Col des Moulines.

(1) At the fork, at marker No. 8, take the middle path, still heading towards Col des Moulines.

(2) Pass marker No. 44 and take the path on the right that descends.

(3) To make a circular route, at marker No. 33, take the path on the right towards Col de l'Espaul.
Shortly afterwards, return to the route you started on at marker No. 8.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach the car park at Col de l'Espaul (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,746 m - Marker No. 7 - Col de l’Espaul (1749m)
1 : km 1.14 - alt. 1,796 m - Common fork A/R. Marker No. 8. Near the - Aigue blanche (rivière)
2 : km 2.31 - alt. 1,960 m - Marker No. 44. On the right
3 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,835 m - Marker No. 43. On the right
S/E : km 5.19 - alt. 1,744 m - Col de l'Espaul. Marker No. 7

Notes

There is a fountain at the pass.

Worth a visit

Lac de Beuil nearby.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
3.8 / 5

13 Oct 2025 at 16:41 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk, not very busy in September, no marmots but birds of prey (vultures, kestrels)!

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User 6325022

04 Aug 2025 at 09:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike, but be careful, we didn't see any markings to follow the trail, so we followed Visiorando strictly. We saw two marmots while we had two dogs on a leash. We turned back at the pass to avoid crossing the road because there was a herd with patou dogs. We met the pastoral mediator who came to meet us to check that the hike had gone well. We didn't meet many other hikers.

I recommend the hike, and don't hesitate to stop and watch the marmots, which can be quite shy

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Francine Fichel

24 Feb 2025 at 12:22 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route with a reasonable elevation gain in beautiful scenery.

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Figuié

19 Jul 2024 at 01:33 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike for those who have already experienced mountain trails. Informative signs in the form of quizzes about marmots may motivate younger children, but it's best not to count on seeing any... The path to the pass is pleasant, winding through broom, lavender and alpine plants. The descent is easy.

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AlexVero06

20 Aug 2021 at 10:14 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
We did this hike as a family.
A very pleasant route, with a bit of climbing between markers 8 and 44.
The trail was very well marked.
An easy route, even with a four-and-a-half-year-old girl!
We kept to the schedule even with my little one (within 5 minutes): we stopped for a bite to eat on the way, near marker , so I'm not counting that time.
On the other hand, there were lots of people! We heard whistling but saw no marmots... which is normal given how busy it was!
Vultures? Eagles? In any case, large birds... but without binoculars, it's hard to say...

Otherwise, be careful at marker 8, take the path towards the Col des Crousettes (middle path) and not the Col des Moulines....

Nice, even if the girls were disappointed not to see any marmots...

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Olis

20 Feb 2021 at 21:17 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We walked this beautiful trail in winter, wearing snowshoes. The scenery was beautiful, especially at waypoint #2, where you can enjoy a superb panorama. We were also very happy to encounter a large group of chamois. However, the section of path between waypoints #1 and #2 is not ideal for snowshoes as it is quite steep. Nothing insurmountable, though. It took us 3 hours to complete the circular route, slowed down by the snowshoes.
Thank you for sharing!