Castel de Saint-Blaise

This short hike starting from the village of Saint-Blaise will take you to Castel, a 13th-century castle in ruins overlooking the entire Saint-Blaise valley with unobstructed views as far as Mont Vial.

Details

2858084
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 193 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 193 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 514 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 321 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) The hike starts from Place de l'Église (next to the town hall).

Walk past the town hall to reach the RM 14. Climb the stairs towards the old mill, crossing the road three times to reach marker 826.

Yellow markings

(1) Take the Chemin de l'Amandier, which climbs next to the small eco-museum towards the Castel. At the end of the road, take the path that climbs steeply to the right. After a few hairpin bends, you will reach a new marker, 826. Climb to the right towards the Castel.

The climb on this path is steep but not long, then becomes almost flat until you reach marker 825.

Turn slightly right, still heading towards Le Castel, and you will reach the castle ruins a few metres further on. Please note that access to the ruins is prohibited by municipal signs. However, there is a picnic table a few metres before the ruins and an information panel.

(2) Retrace your steps and continue on the right along the path, which is still marked in yellow.

The level path offers a beautiful view of the castle after a few metres, then gradually descends into the forest until it reaches the Ravin de Fonta Cabra, where a sign indicates the direction of the village on the right.

No markings

(3) Descend to the right along the ravine on this fairly steep path through the undergrowth. Some sections may be slippery in wet weather. Continue in the same direction until you reach the RM14 road, then turn right and follow the road for about 250 metres to return to the mill.

(1) Descend on the left via the steps to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 321 m - Place de l'Église
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 341 m - Marker 826
  3. 2 : km 1.19 - alt. 506 m - Castel de Saint-Blaise
  4. 3 : km 1.74 - alt. 505 m - Signpost towards the village
  5. S/E : km 2.72 - alt. 321 m - Place de l'Église

Notes

Saint-Blaise is accessible by bus on line 76 of the Lignes d'Azur network (take it at Place Fontaine du Temple in Nice-Nord).

Despite its modest distance, this hike is not classified as "easy" due to its elevation gain and steep, slippery trails.

Worth a visit

The Castel de Saint-Blaise is worth a visit for the good condition of its ruins and its position on a promontory above this little-visited valley in the Nice hinterland, offering a beautiful panorama as far as the first peaks of the Estéron (Mont Vial, Cime des Colettes, Mont Lion) and the Vésubie (Crête de la Madone d'Utelle, Brec d'Utelle).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
GOGO
GOGO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short but very pleasant walk with lovely views and, as a highlight, the ruins of Saint Blaise Castle.

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Pat 06
Pat 06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with a fairly varied route.
The passage through the rocks beneath the lighthouse and antenna is magnificent with its red rocks.
The oak forest on the way up the valley is very beautiful.
With a picnic on the heights overlooking Tintin Island, it's great.
Thank you for this suggestion.

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lucbri@sfr
lucbri@sfr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, but allow more time than indicated! The view is superb! No problem parking.

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Jean Luc Fernandez
Jean Luc Fernandez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike without too many difficulties, but you will still need walking sticks for the return trip to the village.

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Guilmew
Guilmew

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short and pleasant circular hike leading to the ruins of Castel and a beautiful view. The undergrowth provides shade and the tranquillity of the forest. Plenty of parking spaces available at the starting point. Take a 100-metre circular detour to the beautiful bridge at the edge of the village.

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annesi
annesi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely view at Castel, well deserved after the climb. The descent is a little trickier as it is very rocky.
Don't miss the sign pointing back to the village. No more GPS on the descent.

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ratetanissa06
ratetanissa06
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little hike. Very enjoyable!

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