Bréche du Mont-Saint-Martin via Sallagriffon

Walk done in the opposite direction on 24/04/2025.
Start from marker 139 on the D17. Easy parking at this time of year before the road narrows in the Clue du Riolan.
Because of the high flow of the Riolan, we had to take the diversion path to avoid the ford; to do this, at marker 77, head towards Sallagriffon for 300m, pass the Vieux Pont du Riolan; as you climb, the unmarked path descends to the left; after 400m, after crossing the Vallon de l'Estrech stream, you come to the yellow-marked path, which you should take to the right.
Accustomed to tricky sections, we made the return trip to Mont Saint-Martin from the eponymous breach. There are 2 "walls" to climb, some high steps, and even if the holds are good, don't be afraid of vertigo, especially on the way down. The 360° view in cloudless weather is a great reward.

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A very beautiful route with varied scenery in winter.
It may be worthwhile parking at Sallagriffon. This avoids the descent and ascent of the short stretch between the road and the bridge.
The climb from the pass to the summit of Mont Saint Martin is tricky as there are two small rocky bars to cross. Easy on the way up, more complicated on the way down. The panoramic view from the rocky promontory to the left of the pass looks just as beautiful as that from the summit, and the route is less strenuous.
To avoid having to ford the river on the way back (and in February there is a lot of water), as mentioned above, you need to take an inconspicuous but easy path above the Estrech valley that joins the GR du and the bridge.
The paths are very well maintained throughout.

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Difficult walk in hot weather despite many shady spots. The return trip to the Brèche du Mont St Martin was tough and not worth it as there was no view. The descent was very long, fairly technical and hot. The finish at the river is pleasant and refreshing. For the final climb: keep your strength up!

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From the brêche, climb to the summit of Mont Saibt Martin

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A nice easy walk, apart from the rather steep descent.
No water in the cave, and very little water in the clues... unfortunately.
We tried to climb to the top of Mont Saint Martin, but the path was not very practicable (and you didn't suggest it...).

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Family hike, beautiful views, easy to follow with the markers.
A bit in the cave on the way down, we cooled off and so did the dog.
On the way back up after the ford, continue along the second junction to find the road back at the start.

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Hiking 28 May 2020.
S/E clues de Sigale does not exist, coming from Nice D17, go through the village of Sigale, exit the village 2km on your Right parking 3à4 cars (opposite a picnic table) go up 50m towards Sigale to find on the Right the beacon 139.
point 5 at the rocky overhang between 75a and 75b follow the first path on the left, not very visible, if you follow the second you will arrive at the crossroads of this path points 6 and 7 you will be 100m downstream of 75b at the so take immediately on the Left for point 7
point 7 to the Brèche du Mont Saint Martin and back: beware of the danger of the rocky, narrow, sloping path
point 1 return to marker 77 turn right and stay left to go back up to marker 139.

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Hello and thank you for this very pleasant tour.
However, I completely agree with Vivestido that the waypoints and the description are a bit off.
At the viewpoint at the Brèche Saint-Martin, you have to be intrusive to discover a small path to the right and left and climb to the summit.
Perhaps add waypoints for points to be discovered, markers, caves, etc. that have gone unnoticed!
Finally, be careful on the way back: marker 77 sends you on the Riolan path instead of taking you straight back up to the D17. Note that you need to go to the next milestone.

At marker 75b, a return trip to the clue d'Aiglun is worth the extra 200 m of ascent.

One final note: in many places, the path is infested by the box tree borer, the box trees are completely dried out, the caterpillars fall from the trees and hang from the end of their threads. We had to walk holding a branch in front of us to make them fall and move them aside as we went along. Not very pleasant!

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Beautiful walk

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Thank you Vivestido for these clarifications

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A very nice hike, but I'd like to clarify a few points in the description.
1. in paragraph (5), unless I am mistaken, at the rocky overhang (marker 751) you should take the right-hand path (the left-hand path we took is shaded but does not join the correct path until after (about 50 m) marker 75b (marker 791).
2. Once you reach the Brèche Saint-Martin (there's a sign to prove it!), there's no view... You need to think about heading left along an unmarked path that is barely visible in places; it's a 5-10 minute walk uphill before you finally get a superb panoramic view (you could also head right towards the summit of Mont-Saint-Martin, but we didn't try).
3 As the water level was quite high and the flow significant, we hesitated to cross the ford. We looked for the diversion path... without finding it. Either I was bad (although I'm normally comfortable in these situations) or the path no longer existed (although I had cleared away a lot of branches and brambles). We finally waded across (knee-deep water and more depending on your height).

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Really nice hike - especially the final 2/3 of the hike.

The beginning is extremely dramatic with the old roman bridge. Following it, the 2-3km transport road to the village (Sallagriffon) isn't too exciting. But from the village and back to the start point, this is a great hike with a tough climb, amazing views and a lot of shade.

We did this hike with three kids (the youngest of whom is 6), and although it was a bit tough, they really enjjoyed it.

Thanks for a great day of hiking!

A very nice walk starting from Sallagriffon: 1st part uphill with no difficulty, then careful descent to Aiglun. The climb from Aiglun to the Saint Martin brêche (picnic area) should be tackled at a steady pace as the slope is solid.
There is the option of climbing Mont Saint Martin, which offers a fine 360° view.
Finally, the descent to the ford is not difficult, but depending on the time of year, you may need to bring a bin bag and elastic bands to cross the ford, then a gentle descent to the bridge over the Riolan and the ascent to the village starting point.
date of the walk wednesday 24 january 2018

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Superb guidebook, thank you galli06910
The summit of Mont St Martin is 15 minutes from the breach for a good walker. Follow the path to the right of the gap between the pine trees and the many cairns, which are particularly useful on the descent. There are 2 passages to climb (3c/4a and descent!) but the view at the top is well worth the effort.
The cave was packed today!

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Magnificent hike, which we followed in its entirety. The car park is just after Sigale (about 1 km). It's easy to spot as it's on the right-hand side of the road and opposite is a picnic table and a signpost. The start is on the way back to Sigale, about 50m along the side of the road.
The oratory of St Onorat has not been found and, according to the inhabitants of Sallagriffon, it is the oratory of St Marguerite.
From Sallagriffon, marker 75, a large black dog also accompanied us to marker 139 :-)
The passage between markers 6 and 7 is the hardest, but what views!
The cave: no water, just a 20 cm puddle where the dog drank. The ford: almost dry, no difficulty crossing it.
The walk is really well signposted and very well described. It took us 5 hours + a 1-hour picnic break.
I'd definitely recommend it!

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