Estellier circular from Bézaudun-les-Alpes

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A circular loop in the Nice countryside, passing through two pretty little villages and along quiet paths offering beautiful views of the coast.

Details

n°6928314
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 825 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 818 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,275 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 669 m
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Photos

Cows point 2
Bouyon
Towards Bouyon
Descent

Description of the walk

From Nice, drive up the Var plain, heading towards Carros then Le Broc before arriving at Bouyon and finally Bézaudun-les-Alpes (road leading to Gréolières). Park in the small car park opposite the fountain.

(S/E) Cross the village heading north to reach marker 7 and the start of the hike. Leave the paved road and go down the small staircase.

(1) At marker 8, continue west towards L'Estelier. The path descends gently towards Le Bouyon below.

(2) The IGN map shows what appears to be a bridge here, but there is nothing on site. Continue up the track and then cross (roughly where I have indicated on the map) the stream that runs underground here; you can cross and rejoin the path opposite. Follow it to the left and then climb gently until you reach the track.

(3) At marker 112, head west towards L'Estelier and stay on the track until you reach marker 113.

(4) Leave the track here and head north into the forest.

(5) Here you will come across a marker that is not shown on the IGN map, No. 114a. Turn right, heading east towards L'Estelier, which you will reach by following the ridge (magnificent 360° view).

(6) Continue along the ridge. The path will quickly begin to descend to follow the Moul stream.

(7) When you reach marker 100, turn right towards the village of Bouyon.

(8) Continue south-east along the path which winds down towards the village.

(9) At marker 6, head towards L'Aiguillette and Bézaudun. The track will turn into a path before becoming a track again, following the D8 just below. The path is well marked. Continue along the track until you reach the road and the bridge over the Bouyon. Bézaudun should soon appear in front of you.

(10) Cross the bridge to find marker 111, then follow the path up to marker 8.

(1) Return to the village on the left and cross the village again via the small street in front of you to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 877 m - Car park near the fountain in Bézaudun-les-Alpes.
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 860 m - Marker 8
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 787 m - Bouyon (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 2.38 - alt. 942 m - Marker 112
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 1,108 m - Marker 113
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 1,209 m - The four paths
  7. 6 : km 6.78 - alt. 1,275 m - L'Estellier
  8. 7 : km 9.72 - alt. 940 m - Marker 100
  9. 8 : km 10.39 - alt. 820 m - Cheiron Road
  10. 9 : km 11.22 - alt. 669 m - Bouyon
  11. 10 : km 14.34 - alt. 758 m - Route D8
  12. S/E : km 15.38 - alt. 878 m - Car park near the fountain in Bézaudun-les-Alpes.

Notes

No major difficulties, except for the length of the hike.

Water sources only in Bézaudun and Bouyon.

It is possible to reduce the difficulty slightly by starting from Bouyon and taking the circular in the other direction, which will avoid the final climb to Bézaudun.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Piter
Piter

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are no particular difficulties on this route, except for its length and perhaps the fact that it ends with an uphill climb. In clear weather, the 360° view is truly extraordinary. The climb between points 2 and 4 on the wide track can be quite strenuous in summer: it faces south with no shade whatsoever. Don't forget to bring water!

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annasofiarenstrm@hotmail.com
annasofiarenstrm@hotmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with no significant difficulties.
Please note that you may encounter herds of cows and bulls along the way.

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steph06000
steph06000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike in the middle country.
Stunning views from the summit
Varied landscapes
However, between Bouyon and Bezaudun, some sections are steep and off-road
Not suitable for young children
And we recommend wearing trousers

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Cyberflana
Cyberflana

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A few points of interest: be careful, as nature sometimes takes over, so wear trousers to avoid getting scratched.
Be careful towards the end, as there are a few tricky spots where the path has collapsed due to a broken water pipe. After this section, pay attention and always follow the visible path, because if you follow the route on the app, you will end up in the undergrowth.

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Ventupresident
Ventupresident
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hike done in August, bring 2 litres of water if you don't want to run out.
Note: just after setting off, in the first lane of the village, a resident leaves her two German shepherds in the lane you have to pass through. We had to ask her to bring them inside to avoid a fight with our dog; same thing on the way back.
Around point 2, watch out for cows with huge horns (see photo).
Then climb without shade to point 4. At the summit (l'Estellier), the view is superb.
The last part of the climb is from point 10 to the start.
There is water at the start and finish (in the village) but it is not drinkable, although we drank it without any problems.

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Perseepj
Perseepj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular done in fairly warm weather.
Bear in mind that there is no shade before reaching point 4. After that, there is a beautiful coniferous forest.
And above all, the route from points 5 to 7 is very good, with alternating meadows and refreshing undergrowth, as well as the view.
Note that the path at point 9 is marked as closed. As the barrier had been moved, I took it. The path has collapsed in one place, exposing pipes. However, there is still a small passageway.

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vidji7
vidji7
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike, undeniably interesting, sublime view at the summit and varied route, no difficulty, constant elevation, no tricky sections, perfect and well-marked signage. Done from Bouyon in the suggested direction, i.e. Bouyon, Bezaudun, 4 chemins, Crete Estellier, Bouyon. No regrets about doing it in this direction. We didn't go via Bezaudun because you have to climb back up to come back down, so at Bezaudun we took the track on the right which climbs parish specific to Brittany towards the 4 chemins (no yellow markings on this section) and joins the route and the next marker coming from Bezaudun. Thank you for the suggestion!!!

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oenolatre
oenolatre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This is a beautiful circular to do from autumn to spring. The PR trail is well marked and with the high-quality description, it is impossible to get lost. The route offers a 360° view of the department from the Baie des Anges to the Mercantour. I started the route from Bézaudin. The first part of the hike, between the Bouyon crossing and marker 113, is on a track used by hunters' 4x4s and is therefore quite rutted. Apart from this section, the rest of the route is mostly on paths typical of our region.
On a previous hike, I did the route in the opposite direction (Bézaudin, Bouyon, l'Estellier, Bézaudin) and I don't think one direction is better than the other. The slopes are similar on both sides, so the effort required is the same.

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peter johnson
peter johnson
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We followed the hike in the opposite direction from Bouyon, without passing through Bézaudun. The path winding up from the village is steep but well maintained and not too difficult. The next, gentler climb in the Colle valley is delightful, and the arrival at the summit treated us to a magnificent panorama. A pleasant walk along the ridge, mostly through the state forest on a gentle descent, took us to the Quatres Chemins crossroads. Then, what a disappointment: the trail became a track damaged by 4x4 vehicles. After the turn east at marker 113, it becomes disastrous for hikers, a river of gravel recently dug up brutally until the descent to the bridge on the road leading to Bézaudun, presumably to provide vehicle access to isolated dwellings. Fortunately, the continuation towards Bouyon is in excellent condition, which lifts the spirits. The approach to the village is superbly maintained and cleared, with breathtaking views.

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albo06
albo06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this route in reverse and I think it's better than the recommended direction, but that's just my personal opinion.

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