The Baisse d'Ourne de Castérino

A very pretty hike, offering beautiful views of the Alps, including Monts Bégo, Clapier and Grand Capelet, in the upper part. The return journey is along a very pleasant, unmarked, little-used wooded path. In total, there is a small elevation gain of 490 m, which will help you get back into shape.

Details

83970005
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 561 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 565 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,040 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,527 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Castérino car park.

(S/E) Head towards the bridge located a few metres from the information point. At marker 367, cross the bridge and you will soon come to a crossroads on the edge of the Torrent de Bieugne.

(1) Keep to the right to reach the junction at marker 368.

Yellow markings are faded but still visible

(2) Turn right and follow the signs for Baisse d'Ourne. Follow a gentle incline to reach marker 366.

(3) Turn left onto the path and you will soon reach a track, which is tarmac for a few metres and then cemented. The latter turns into a path. Follow it through the woods and, after a series of hairpin bends, you will reach the mountain pasture at the edge of the woods.

(4) Walk through the mountain pasture, taking care as the path is a little less visible but still there. At marker 356, you will reach La Baïsse d'Ourne.

(5) Turn left onto this beautiful carriage road built by the Italian army at the end of the 19th century. Enter the woods again, walk slightly downhill and, at a right-hand bend, you will reach an oratory.

(6) Continue here on a very slight incline, pass in front of the Alda Fountain, then walk alongside a blockhouse before reaching marker 369.

(7) Turn left towards Castérino, taking the tarmac road, but remain cautious, even though this area is very rarely used. You will reach an alpine hut.

Be careful, as there are no more markings after the house

(8) Go behind this house, head south towards the watering hole, and take the path through the fields. If there is a herd of cows, please go around them. There are a few cairns to mark the path in the wooded area. At the end of the descent, you will reach a crossroads with several directions.

(9) Take the path opposite, reach the left bank of the Torrent de Bieugne, continue and return to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the Castérino car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,546 m - Castérino car park
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 1,548 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 0.33 - alt. 1,558 m - Marker 368
  4. 3 : km 1.09 - alt. 1,528 m - Marker 366
  5. 4 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,958 m - Alpine pasture area
  6. 5 : km 3.42 - alt. 2,040 m - Baisse d'Ourne
  7. 6 : km 5.04 - alt. 1,994 m - Oratory
  8. 7 : km 6.45 - alt. 2,028 m - Marker 369
  9. 8 : km 7.32 - alt. 1,952 m - Alpine hut
  10. 9 : km 8.87 - alt. 1,590 m - Trail-track junction
  11. S/E : km 9.81 - alt. 1,547 m - Castérino car park

Notes

Wear sturdy footwear.
(8) The only water source is at the trough.
If there is a herd present, go around it.

Worth a visit

West of Castérino: the Vallée des Merveilles.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, pige06, for this comprehensive review
best regards, rando, b

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pige06
pige06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

good evening... Just a quick note regarding the use of the description "tarmac road". In fact, these are more like gravel tracks without tarmac. And have been for a long time!!! They are hard on the knees. A good opportunity to remind the unwary
that mountain boots are essential.
otherwise, magnificent view of Le Begot and the Mercantour peaks.

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