Le Gramondo from the Col de Castillon

Circular route that takes you to Gramondo, an Italian peak at 1,376 m, offering a 360° view of the Mercantour range and the Menton coast.

Details

20389074
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,086 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,093 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,376 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 727 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Vieux Castillon car park just after the pass.

(S/E) Take the path running parallel to the road to reach marker 135.

(1) Continue straight on along the Chemin des Fontanettes towards the Col du Razet to reach marker 136.

(2) Stay on this wide path by turning right. Continue a few metres further along the path that follows it. Climb gradually, passing under a power line. You will then reach a passage between two cliffs.

(3) Here, begin a series of switchbacks to reach the junction at marker 93. Turn right and head for the multi-directional junction at marker 93a at the foot of the Pierre Pointu. Take care here, as there are several large boulders and bunkers.

(4) Take the ridge line to the left to reach Mont Razet and enjoy the superb view from here.

(5) Head back towards the previous junction.

(4) Head left downhill to reach the Col de Roulabre.

(6) Continue the descent to the right to reach the multi-directional junction at Col du Razet, marker 90.

(7) Turn right onto theGR®52, marked in red and white, and arrive at Colla Bassa at marker 95.

(8) Leave theGR®52here and head uphill. You will reach the border, marked by a boundary stone.

(9) Keep to the right, parallel to the border, and further on you will come to another boundary stone and the summit of Monte Gramondo.

(10) Continue along the Sentero Balcone, which is not very clearly visible but passes two crosses on the ridge to reach Punta Renuit.

(11) Turn left at almost 180° and take the Anello del Gramondo trail or AM0 Alpi Mareo. Reach a junction with a track.

(12) Keep left and continue until you reach the border again at the junction with the boundary stone you passed earlier.

(9) Follow the same route as on the way out to return to the Col de Roulabre at marker 91.

(6) Turn right downhill to find a wide track, take it to the left and reach the junction at Baisse de Scuvion at marker 92.

(13) Turn right at a 90° angle and continue downhill. At the junction marked by marker 137, keep to the right and, a few metres further on, rejoin the road at marker 136.

(2) Follow the route taken on the way out in the opposite direction and return to the Vieux Castillon junction (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 735 m - Vieux Castillon car park - Col de Castillon
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 728 m - Marker 135
  3. 2 : km 0.68 - alt. 757 m - Marker 136. Passing close to the source of the - Careï (fleuve)
  4. 3 : km 2.12 - alt. 883 m - Between the cliffs
  5. 4 : km 3.47 - alt. 1,176 m - Marker 93a
  6. 5 : km 4.03 - alt. 1,285 m - Mont Razet (1286m)
  7. 6 : km 5.31 - alt. 1,091 m - Marker 91 - Col de Roulabre (1094m)
  8. 7 : km 5.65 - alt. 1,031 m - Marker 90 - Le col du Razet
  9. 8 : km 7.19 - alt. 1,108 m - Marker 95 - Colla Bassa
  10. 9 : km 7.66 - alt. 1,187 m - Border marker
  11. 10 : km 8.18 - alt. 1,355 m - Mont Gramondo
  12. 11 : km 8.91 - alt. 1,298 m - Punta Renuit
  13. 12 : km 9.53 - alt. 1,258 m - Crossroads
  14. 13 : km 13.3 - alt. 1,154 m - Marker 92 - Baisse de Scuvion (1154m)
  15. S/E : km 16.16 - alt. 735 m - Vieux Castillon car park - Col de Castillon

Notes

Take water, food, a windbreaker, a fleece and let someone know if you are setting off alone.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 8703610

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is truly beautiful. The route is very easy to follow, except for a small detour about 800 metres from the start (another clear path on the right that was not our route, but we quickly found our way back).

The start is a bit steep, but once you've climbed up, the views become magnificent. Spectacular views open up at the passes.

In addition, the trail passes through the Chemin de la Mémoire (Memory Trail), where you can see the remains of bunkers.

In the end, the hike took us 5-6 hours.

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Richard Aldana
Richard Aldana

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, varied walk with plenty of shade, beautiful forests and stunning views of the sea and mountains. An entertaining and informative tour of the large bunker.
Our stats: 16.86 km, 1,143 m elevation gain, 6 hours 6 minutes

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agathebezou@gmail.com
agathebezou@gmail.com
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a wonderful hike with breathtaking views. It’s best when the weather is clear, which was the case for us

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Legall Yves
Legall Yves

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good evening,
Just to clarify: to avoid a steep and difficult climb for the group on the way down, we took a circular detour on the return journey from the summit of the Grand Mont on the Italian side, heading first south and then east, before descending towards the ascending path.

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