The Aupillon and the Rocher des Cailles as seen from Les Hières

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

I didn’t park at the end of the 6km track you have to drive along
I set off from the last farm that was signposted
‘Parking Lac du Parpaillon’, which meant
meant the route was longer. I arrived at a GR sign for Meolans-Révél and the Refuge de la Pare, but I couldn’t find the path. After several attempts, I returned via the same route, which was very pleasant through the forest

Dangerous road leading to the start point; no one around
Signposting and signage need reviewing
Disappointing

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Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An extraordinary hike: beech forests, waterfalls, mountain pastures, lakes, peaks and viewpoints.
The ridge route to the summit of the Aupillon is only suitable for those with mountain-walking experience
Major drawback: the 6 km track leading to Les Hières is difficult to navigate, very muddy after rain, and only suitable for those with a 4x4 or a vehicle with high ground clearance

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Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route up to the first Aupillon lake. The climb up the ridge to the summit of the Aupillon is difficult and not recommended for those prone to vertigo.
The return journey offers lovely views over the Ubaye Valley and Barcelonnette. The descent back to the starting point is quite a long one.

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello,

I would like to point out that this walk, as described, is becoming very difficult to complete.
The tarmac road ends near Les Prats and the track that continues from the small road quickly becomes impassable.
Furthermore, parking options around Les Prats are very limited.
We tried driving up part of this track yesterday, but we had to turn back quite quickly, as only a 4x4 can reasonably make it up to Hières, and even a little further (as we discovered yesterday).
So, if you have to add about ten kilometres there and back on a track that’s uninteresting and very ‘dusty’ in this sort of heatwave, as we’re experiencing at the moment, this hike is virtually impossible to complete in its entirety, as it exceeds 20 kilometres and 1,300 metres of elevation gain.
We climbed to the summit of the Aupillon, but we had to abandon the rest of the route described, via the Rocher des Cailles, in order to be back at the car by around 5.30 pm.
So, I think it would be useful to provide these details about this walk, as the near-impossibility of getting close to Les Hières in a passenger car completely changes the nature of this walk, which would otherwise be absolutely lovely.
It’s a real shame, but you have to be able to adapt, and there are factors beyond our control.
However, it’s good to have the most accurate information possible so that we can choose our routes, on which we hope to enjoy ourselves as much as possible.
Jean-Marie.

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Date of your route : Jun 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk!
It was a bit chilly to start with, but we reached the Aupillon lakes, where, unfortunately, the water level is dropping, dropping.
A superb dry-stone shepherd’s hut.
Everyone was very happy with the day

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