Circular route via Croix de Verse, Jérusalem and Cime du Cheiron

A magnificent hike passing Croix de Verse, Jérusalem and Cime du Cheiron in Gréolières les Neiges. Not particularly difficult, with a 360° view between the peaks of Mercantour, Vallée du Loup and the Mediterranean on a clear day.
Depending on the season, paragliders take off from the route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 491 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 495 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,771 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,397 m

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Gréolières les Neiges resort.

(S/E) Go to marker 206, on the other side of the departmental road, and follow the small road opposite until you reach the start of a track on the right.

(1) Take this track, marked " espace trappeur" (trapper's area), and follow it to a crossroads.

(2) Take the path on the left, following the one on the right at the beginning, and continue on this same path, passing marker 412 and going straight ahead. Pass marker 411 and continue on the path that goes around the hillock on the right (elevation 1611). You will come to a descent, and you will see the Croix de Verse on the right.

(3) At marker 410, at the foot of the Croix de Verse, climb up to the right and reach the summit.

(4) Enjoy the magnificent 360° view of the Vallée du Loup, the Mediterranean Sea and, behind, the peaks of the Mercantour. Once you have taken a break, head west towards Jérusalem, following the path along the ridge, marked with yellow markings. Reach the summit with its antenna.

(5) Enjoy this second viewpoint at Jérusalem, where, depending on the season, you can watch paragliders take off. Continue along the ridge in the same direction to reach the antenna on the Cime du Cheiron.

(6) Enjoy this third viewpoint, then descend westwards, following the ski trail.

(7) Leave marker 404 on your left and continue straight ahead, staying on the track.

(8) Leave marker 402 and the path on your left and stay on the track.

(9) Enjoy the small artificial lake and continue straight ahead.

(10) Turn right to pass at the foot of the Téléski des Écureuils ski lift, continue along the path, following the road, then turn left to cross it and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,401 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 1,430 m - Starting point
  3. 2 : km 1.46 - alt. 1,489 m - Crossroads, on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.46 - alt. 1,584 m - Marker 410, on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.54 - alt. 1,695 m - Summit of the Croix de Verse
  6. 5 : km 5.95 - alt. 1,764 m - Jerusalem
  7. 6 : km 7.33 - alt. 1,771 m - Cheiron Peak
  8. 7 : km 8.53 - alt. 1,633 m - Straight ahead
  9. 8 : km 9.81 - alt. 1,497 m - Marker 402
  10. 9 : km 10.47 - alt. 1,437 m - Artificial lake
  11. 10 : km 10.85 - alt. 1,407 m - Fork to the right
  12. S/E : km 11.32 - alt. 1,401 m - Car park

Notes

This hike is best done on a sunny day to enjoy the view: clouds tend to gather around the peaks when there are any.

At the crossing point (3) at marker 410, the final section of the climb up to Croix de Verse is not very well marked. However, you cannot get lost if you keep the cross in your sights.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Bea 06
Bea 06

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do in clear weather, with magnificent views at the Verse cross, Jerusalem or Cheiron. Quite popular.
One slight negative: quite a few tracks and the last descent via the ski slope is less enjoyable.
From the summit of Cheiron, we attempted the descent by following the "return to station" markers through a really pretty pine forest, but we were surprised by fog and wisely decided to follow the Visorando GPS track.
We'll try the other descent in clear weather another time!

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CPons
CPons

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in February. Snowshoes are essential. The paths are difficult to follow because of the depth of the snow. However, the scenery is magnificent.
It would be important to add the word "snowshoes" rather than "walking".

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Laurence du Béal
Laurence du Béal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I usually did this route in the other direction, but this way is also very nice. The weather was clear and the paragliders and vultures were out in force. A beautiful autumn day.

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Papiluc06
Papiluc06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Moderately difficult route. Please note that if you wish to visit the Virgin's Cave, access can be difficult and even dangerous in bad weather.
The ridge is easy to cross and the return journey is via the same route.
If you have time, stop for lunch or a drink at the Caussols inn, where the owner is very friendly!

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josefa Andreu
josefa Andreu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. The ridge is superb. The end is a bit monotonous on the trail, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the hike.

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Petitspas
Petitspas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike. The end on the ski slope is indeed a bit tedious.

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GTACAILLE
GTACAILLE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, only the final descent is a bit tedious (ski slope).

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