Col du Dragon and return via Giennanova

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A very varied walking route (path, track, road), best done in autumn or spring. A bird’s-eye view of Levens on the way back and a walk past magnificent villas in Gieinnanova.

Details

n°26408730
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.00 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,149 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,149 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,661 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,634 ft
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Photos

Meeting point

Description of the walk

Parking at the start of Chemin du Rivet.

(S/E) Return to the junction then turn left onto Chemin de Fuont: marker 250 and yellow markings. Follow the markings to marker 253.

(1) Continue to the right then veer left at marker 254. Turn left again at the next marker and follow the path straight ahead, crossing the track several times. Reach the Col de Fuont Blanca at marker 257.

(2) Turn right to quickly reach the Col du Dragon (marker 272).

(3) Follow the track to the right, then leave it for a path on the right at marker 271.

(4) Continue straight on to marker 269.

(5) Turn right and reach a junction (marker 267).

(6) Start the climb opposite until you reach the highest point at marker 266.

(7) Turn right and come out onto a quiet forest track. Follow it downhill.

(8) Continue along the road, which is now a little wider, and pass through Gieinnanova, walking past some magnificent villas.

(9) Ignore the two streets on the left and continue straight ahead to join the M19 at marker 261.

(10) Head towards Sainte-Claire. Take the first right onto theGR®5. After 150 m, follow theGR®5, which continues along a path to the right after a fence. Return to the M19, walk about 100 metres to the left, then rejoin theGR®5on the left: watch out for traffic. You’ll come out onto Route de la Roquette; follow it to the left, then turn right onto Avenue Charles David.

(11) At marker 292, take the wide, grassy staircase leading down to Avenue Maréchal Foch. Continue down the road to the right to reach the M19 and then the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,703 ft - Chemin du Rivet car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.75 - alt. 2,241 ft - Marker 253
  3. 2 : mi 2.24 - alt. 3,540 ft - Col de Fuont Blanc à (1081m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.56 - alt. 3,622 ft - Col du Dragon (1109m)
  5. 4 : mi 3.12 - alt. 3,330 ft - Marker 270
  6. 5 : mi 3.48 - alt. 3,022 ft - Marker 269
  7. 6 : mi 4.2 - alt. 2,434 ft - Crossroads
  8. 7 : mi 4.56 - alt. 2,297 ft - Marker 266
  9. 8 : mi 5 - alt. 2,018 ft - Gieinnanova
  10. 9 : mi 5.33 - alt. 1,857 ft - Crossroads, straight ahead
  11. 10 : mi 5.7 - alt. 1,759 ft - M19
  12. 11 : mi 6.47 - alt. 1,640 ft - Marker 292 - Stairs
  13. S/E : mi 7 - alt. 1,699 ft - Chemin du Rivet car park

Notes

No water points. Very well-marked route (thanks to the local council).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
dleandri
dleandri

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A good climb. The trail is varied and the goats are friendly.

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Alix06
Alix06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Thank you, Millepat06, for this very reliable route.

I rated the hike as ‘disappointing’ because only the descent offers really beautiful views, whilst the last three kilometres through built-up areas are uninteresting and rather long.
In the area, I recommend doing the Crête du Férion, which, for an extra 100 metres of elevation gain, offers spectacular views. Alternatively, still in Levens, Mont Arpasse is an easy option with some lovely views.

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eliotfluck
eliotfluck
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Stunning views of both the snow-capped mountains and the sea. A variety of trails, including paths, forest fire prevention tracks, and even woodland paths, all the way to the Col du Dragon (where you can take a breather and enjoy a picnic). We opted to climb the Col du Ferion, starting from the Col du Dragon. This made for a circular route of 14.5 km in 4 hours. This climb is challenging, with an average gradient of 35%.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, a bit easier than the climb up to Le Férion (above the Col du Dragon). Beautiful views of the snow-covered Mercantour. The route is generally south-facing, making for pleasant sunshine at this time of year.

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millepat06
millepat06

Hello Sylvyan,
It’s true that the return route through the residential area isn’t particularly interesting for hikers, but it’s only there to make a circular route. The detour to Pointe de Castellar does indeed add something extra.
Millepat06

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sylvyan
sylvyan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route.
A short detour to the tip of Castellar is well worth it for the view (from the Col du Dragon)
The return to the village is a bit long and uninteresting

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