The Cime de Rastel from Saint-Martin-de-Peille

Park below the hamlet of Saint-Martin-de-Peille, near the rubbish bins.

(S/E) Walk down the tarmac road, known as Route de la Gorra, and at the^first junction, continue straight on until you reach a fork in the road.

(1) Turn right onto the Route des Lacs and head towards marker 583 (start of the yellow markings): there is no signpost.

(2) Turn left to follow the path which starts between two properties and then heads into the woods.

(3) At this junction, continue straight on along the path leading down towards Peillon. Beautiful views of the village of Peillon perched on its rock accompany your walk. Reach marker 585, at the entrance to the village of Peillon (where there is a wayside cross).

(4) A visit to the village of Peillon is a must. Otherwise, turn right and walk about fifty metres to marker 580.

(5) Turn left onto the paved slanting street: follow the sign for “Peille par le Farquin”. Shortly afterwards, at marker 579, turn right, following the same sign. Continue along the winding, uphill path. Further on, the ground becomes flat and no longer stony. Reach the top of the path where there are two cairns on the right.

(6) End of the yellow markings. Leave the Peille path and turn right between these two cairns. Continue gently uphill through the mixed pine and deciduous forest. When passing a rocky section consisting of stones with natural holes, the barely visible path is on the right. At a clear junction of unmarked paths, turn left, ignoring the path on the right which leads to the climbing routes.

(7) As you approach the summit, take a path on the left, keeping an eye out for the twin cairns marking its start. This path does not appear on the IGN map but is visible on OSM. Climb up to the Cime du Rastel, following the several cairns dotted along the path.
Enjoy the 360° panorama, then turn back and head down to the double cairn.

(7) Turn left (north-north-east) and continue down the wooded path. Once at the bottom, turn right to pass the antennas and reach the Col de Saint-Pancrace and marker 558 (toilets and water point).

(8) Turn right and follow the D53. At the first road junction, take the left-hand road towards Saint-Agnès. Take care, as the road is dangerous. Continue for about a hundred metres along the boundary wall of the property on your right until you reach the corner of the wall.

(9) Turn left onto the very old, wide, centuries-old paved slanting street that climbs towards the Chapel of Saint-Pancrace. Enjoy the view, then return to the corner of the fence. Cross the road at right angles and continue along the path opposite, which runs alongside the boundary wall, to rejoin the D53.

(10) Cross it very carefully. Yellow markings, signposting and marker 564. Follow the signs for “Peillon village”, pass through the hamlet of Bompin and, at the end of the tarmac road, follow the beautiful path downhill. Cross the stone bridge over the Ruisseau de Galambert and reach a crossroads of paths at marker 581.

(11) Turn left towards Peille. At the top of this path, continue right onto the tarmac road known as Route des Lacs. The road is rarely used but remain vigilant. Return to the original junction at marker 583.

(2) Continue straight ahead. At the next two road junctions, keep turning left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Wear sturdy footwear.

Water point in the village of Peillon (4).
Water point, toilets and picnic area at the Col de Saint-Pancrace (8).

At point (4), visit the magnificent hilltop village of Peillon. Its winding narrow streets with wide staircases and, at the top, the church square with benches under the trees, ideal for a first break.