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From Nice, take the M6202 to the village of Plan du Var, then, at the roundabout on leaving the village, follow signs for the Vallée de la Vésubie. 4 km from the roundabout, turn left towards Le Cros d’Utelle.
Follow the very narrow road, driving carefully, to the church at Le Cros and continue along the Route du Colombier to the second hairpin bend; parking is available near this bend or at the end of the Route du Colombier.
(S/E) From the second hairpin bend, follow the road towards Collet des Moutons until you reach the dead end.
(1) Follow the yellow-marked path which starts at the very end, to the left of the dead end near the last house. Head up along the Vallon des Moutons. Cross it and climb up a fairly steep slope to the small pass of the Page. Continue up a slightly less steep slope to reach the path coming from the hamlet of La Vilette.
(2) From this junction, turn right towards Utelle. Climb the path towards the Collet de la Signora. Leave the wooded area and cross the Vallon des Moutons again. You will reach marker 105 near a sheepfold.
.(3) Descend along the path heading north, then follow a track lined with chestnut trees to reach marker 118 at the Col de l'Ambellarte.
.(4) Leave the path on your right and continue straight on to reach the Sanctuary of the Madone d'Utelle at marker 117.
(5) From the sanctuary, the 360° view of the Mercantour, the Pre-Alps and the coast is fabulous; a map marker along the road helps you identify the surrounding peaks.
Turn back to marker 118 at the Col de l’Ambellarte.
(4) Turn left this time, through the Vallon de l'Aclap, towards Utelle. Join marker 6 and theGR®5.
(6) Follow it to the right, towards Le Cros d’Utelle, along a path that widens slightly. Walk through a beautiful forest of hundred-year-old chestnut trees, pass marker 5 and then reach the Chapelle Saint-Antoine.
(7) The chapel is not locked; you can leave a message in the book provided for this purpose. It is an ideal spot for a picnic.
Continue along theGR®5on a gentle slope.
(8) Cross a small valley and discover a magnificent thousand-year-old oak. Continue along the slightly more exposed path; a metal footbridge has been built along the rocky ridge overlooking the Gorges de la Vésubie. From there, you can see the village of Duranus on the opposite bank.
(9) After crossing the metal footbridge, continue along the path, which becomes slightly steeper, and reach marker 4.
(10) Then leave theGR® 5 and turn right towards Le Colombier.
(11) Pass the first houses in the hamlet and turn left to reach the road and your vehicle at the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Very difficult 
