Cheiron and Jerusalem peaks

de fr

Starting from the Gréolières-les-Neiges resort, this short circular hike will take you to the Cime du Cheiron, the highest point of the massif of the same name.
You will then follow the ridge to Jérusalem for some magnificent views of the Mercantour and the plateaus further south, Saint-Barnabé, Calern and Caussols, before descending via the slopes.
During this hike, you may encounter vultures, chamois and even marmots.

Details

n°3930861
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 500 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 502 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,773 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,397 m
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Photos

Magnificent!
Sunrise
Gréolières-les-Neiges
Marmots

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park opposite the Gréolières-les-Neiges ski lifts.

(S/E) From the car park, opposite La Cafet restaurant, join the slope that runs along the snow front and follow it a few metres to the right.
Begin the ascent by climbing a wide red ski slope, Le Lièvre, between the Deux Étoiles and Écureuils ski lifts.
After passing a snow cannon with a small building on the side, turn right onto a faint path that descends slightly through the trees. After a few metres, ignore the path that continues straight ahead and climb up to the left onto what looks like a wide trail.
Continue southwards, making a few turns until you cross a red ski slope, Le Tétras.

(1) Turn left, going up the ski slope on the right-hand side, and join the start of the Téléski de la Cime.

(2) Turn right onto a path and after a few metres take the well-marked path that climbs to the left. The slope is gentler and you can see a ski run opposite climbing to the right towards a secondary summit.
Take this red slope on the right and head towards the small summit where a chairlift arrives.

(3) Descend via a path on the left until you reach an intersection with the blue Les Combes piste. Then turn left and climb this piste to the Cime du Cheiron. Climb up to the orientation table to enjoy the view.

(4) Descend on the other side of the table, following the ridge on the north side. The path is well marked with yellow markings. Descend towards a valley, then climb back up towards the Cime des Crêtes. Descend again towards a pass.

(5) Climb up the track to reach Jérusalem for a beautiful view of the eastern part of the massif and the Nice hinterland.

(6) Retrace your steps along the track to the pass.

(5) Cross the red Cairn trail and descend to the right along a diagonal path.
Continue in this direction until you reach an intersection with the blue Dolines Hautes trail.

(7) Descend to the right following this ski trail, then follow the next one on the right, Dolines Basses, to return to the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,399 m - Car park - Gréolières-les-Neiges
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 1,561 m - Le Tétras ski slope
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 1,641 m - Cime ski lift
  4. 3 : km 1.87 - alt. 1,765 m - Secondary summit
  5. 4 : km 2.63 - alt. 1,773 m - Cime du Cheiron (1778m)
  6. 5 : km 3.7 - alt. 1,729 m - Pass below the summit of Jérusalem
  7. 6 : km 3.99 - alt. 1,764 m - Jérusalem
  8. 7 : km 4.76 - alt. 1,640 m - Dolines Hautes
  9. S/E : km 6.47 - alt. 1,399 m - Car park - Gréolières-les-Neiges

Notes

This hike is best done at the beginning or end of the day to enjoy clear weather once you reach the summit.
Part of the route is on ski slopes. There is no real path and the slope is quite steep. Wear good shoes.
No water, no shelter.

Worth a visit

Between (5) and (7) You may encounter marmots in this area (presence of burrows).
With a bit of luck, you may spot vultures, chamois and marmots.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
natcis
natcis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent 360° view from the ridges with the sea and the Lérins Islands in the background. It's a shame that the route is mostly along the edge of the track, so apart from the view at the summit, the hike itself isn't very beautiful.

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Superbozo
Superbozo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Follow the trail.
Not easy to find the right path at first as there are no signs.
The climb isn't particularly interesting, but the ridges are nice.
A walk in the sunshine (bring a hat) but with a refreshing breeze.

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Marmotte06
Marmotte06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We followed the winter route to Jerusalem, which is the opposite direction to your description. I find it much better than the route up the track, which is of no interest except to see the disfigured forest.

The descent from Jerusalem can be done via the track, which is grassy at the start but then becomes a little difficult as some sections are stony. You can rejoin the winter route by keeping to the right and heading for the Jas ski lift (1,505 m), where you will find yourself back in the forest, which is more pleasant than the arid track.
Not recommended in hot weather. April-May or autumn.

A short route, best done on touring skis to discover the peaks of the Mercantour in good weather. Also magnificent on a full moon, when the whole massif glows. But there still needs to be snow...

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alex06510
alex06510

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

A hike with very little interest, going up and down ski slopes. The only positive point is the view from the summit of Cheiron.

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Loic Grasse
Loic Grasse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike in late autumn. Provides access to the Mercantour and Nice-Cannes coastal panorama with a much shorter climb than from Gréolières on the southern slope of Cheiron.

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Melise Alex et Camille
Melise Alex et Camille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in the morning, setting off at 9am on 13/07/22. We followed the route and have nothing but praise for it – it's perfect.
We had our baby in a baby carrier and it took us 2 hours and 53 minutes, including photo breaks.
The start is quite steep as you climb to the top of the first ski slope. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow us to enjoy a clear view, but the few rays of sunshine allowed us to admire the magnificent landscape!
We came across a flock of sheep (and their sheepdogs, of course, who made it clear that we should not approach them!).
We only came across one runner and one mountain biker; we had the mountain to ourselves!
A great hike that I recommend to anyone looking for a breath of fresh air.

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reivilo59
reivilo59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route perched at over 1,700 metres.
We saw a vulture and marmots (after Mount Jerusalem).
The view is magnificent, with the Mercantour on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.
Very few people around.

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TITISTADOLINA
TITISTADOLINA

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

We didn't expect to see the mountain so disfigured by ski slopes, and it wasn't the ideal day for this hike either, as the weather was too cloudy. We met some hikers who weren't always very friendly (hello, it never hurt anyone), but some really nice mountain bikers. Despite a dog passing by the burrows, we were able to see a marmot.

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