Castellaras de la Malle and the summit of La Colle from Col du Pilon

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike that lives up to its reputation. The suggested alternative route for the return leg is quite steep in places – perhaps it’s best to take it on the way up? We did the hike in the afternoon and, even though it was only 20°C, we worked up a sweat on the climb.

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Date of your route : Mar 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Described as easy: yes, but only for experienced hikers; a 4 km climb, but perfectly manageable if you take your time. A stunning view from the summit.

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Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route covered on a sunny, mild winter's day. The route is varied, passing from pleasant woodland to more arid and stony terrain. There are superb views of the coastline and surrounding hills, and the site of Castellaras is even more impressive from a distance than up close.

On the way back, to avoid retracing the entire descent, we turned off onto an unmarked path on the left from the large ruined farmhouse (between points 2 and 1). Just by following it on the map, it was easy to find our way back to the path we had taken on the way there, 200 metres from the car park. I recommend this alternative route for the return journey!

Thanks to the author of the description.

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

A beautiful hike with a magnificent view, weather permitting.
Easy to follow if you take the above comments into account, on stony ground requiring walking sticks and good footwear.

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Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Follow the yellow route of the regional council. After the glue, look carefully for the cairns and yellow markings.
Beautiful view of the Pilon meadow!

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Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful views, but the landscapes you pass through are not particularly interesting (except for the panorama). I think the time estimate is greatly overestimated, as it took me 2½ hours, including a 2 km circular and without walking very fast

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Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Just to say that the red markings mentioned in the description have been removed (covered with grey paint, the colour of the rock). However, yellow markings have just been repainted and are very clear, both on the way up and on the way down. A very pleasant hike. The Castelaras site is impressive. I won't mention the view from the summit: the weather was cloudy that day.

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Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Taken in December, under blue skies, the views from the summit are magnificent. A few drystone shelters dot the route. A lovely walk.

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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 : Yes

A beautiful, well-marked route with little shade. Best enjoyed in spring or autumn. Lots of scenic viewpoints along the way, and a 360-degree view at the summit as a reward. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear as there are many rocks along the way.

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Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a moderately difficult uphill section at the start. Castellaras is an impressive oppidum that is well worth a visit. Beautiful view from the summit.

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

Very nice views, pleasant undergrowth, but the trail does become somewhat unclear at the summit, so pay attention to the GPS track at this point, or use the ridge as a landmark (at this point, you have passed the turning point).

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Date of your route : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb to Castellaras de la Malle is along a stony, rocky path that climbs steadily. It is a bit monotonous and quite physically demanding, although there are no real technical difficulties, apart from the risk of stones rolling underfoot on the descent.
Fortunately, the view from the top is magnificent, even though the sky was foggy that day.
At the start of the descent, the route is poorly marked and rocky in places. You have to follow the ridge before finding the path you took on the way up and descending towards the Col du Pilon.
All in all, a beautiful view at the summit, but a little too many rocks for our liking...

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Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very stony path, difficult to descend, route would be improved by changing the return route.

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

A superb hike. Varied landscapes and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys... and yes, of the sea and the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour too.

And, of course, the highest point, both literally and figuratively, is the ruins of La Malle camp. When you realise that these imposing walls were built during the Iron Age, over 2,000 years ago...

On the practical side, the hike is not particularly difficult, but wear good shoes as the trail is rocky. Walking poles are also useful for the descent.

Thank you, Tebo.

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Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't know this site, even though I had already hiked on Mount Thiey... very interesting, the walk through the forest is very pleasant and the views of the coast are lovely.

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