The Falcon Wood starting from Roubion

A short hike at the foot of the Falcon rock faces, in a varied landscape: climb through a sparse forest of spruce and Scots pine, enjoy beautiful views of the valley from the Falcon ridge, then descend among the sheepfolds and hamlets of Falcon and Les Vallons.
This hike is featured in the short guidebook "Rando Passion" published by the Roubion tourist office.
The elevation gain is lower than that indicated by Visorando, at around 400 metres.

Details

1253605
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 488 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 496 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,705 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,322 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the Roubion car park, located near (north of) the church and town hall.

(S/E) Head north on the Vignols track. Follow this track to marker 256.

(1) Turn left and head up towards the Bois de Falcon. Please note that there are two marker posts numbered 256: an old one higher up and a new one that is more visible from the track. The new one indicates a better-defined path. Climb through the woods, which is quite steep for half an hour at a leisurely pace, on a well-defined path.

(2) You will arrive at a mountain bike marker numbered 4. Continue north-west on the path, which narrows, along the mountainside.

(3) Turn left at the hairpin bend and follow the path that leads to the Falcon ridge at marker 288.

(4) Turn right towards Col de la Couillole. Beautiful grassy areas on either side of the path provide a place to stop and enjoy the lovely view of the south-facing slope, the sheepfolds and the valley.

(5) Reach a track and take it to the left at the hairpin bend.

(6) Take a path that branches off to the right towards the hamlet of Falcon. Be careful, when you reach the houses, look for a grassy path on the left along the barriers. If you come to a kennel, you have gone too far. Go to marker 289 at the bottom of the hamlet.

(7) Follow the path to the right towards Roubion. Be careful, as there are two paths leading in this direction. Take the lower one, to the right of the marker. This well-maintained path passes in front of a small oratory, then under a via ferrata, before reaching the top of Roubion. Take the steps to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,342 m - Roubion car park. Near the - Vionème (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,389 m - Beacon 256
  3. 2 : km 2.54 - alt. 1,550 m - Marker 4 Mountain bike
  4. 3 : km 3.22 - alt. 1,596 m - Hairpin bend
  5. 4 : km 4.67 - alt. 1,690 m - Marker 288
  6. 5 : km 5.39 - alt. 1,681 m - Forest track Hairpin bend
  7. 6 : km 6.26 - alt. 1,623 m - Branch
  8. 7 : km 6.69 - alt. 1,538 m - Beacon 289
  9. S/E : km 8.48 - alt. 1,334 m - Roubion car park

Notes

The map shows a path that would connect point (4) directly to point (6).
We did not find this path. However, there are passages that allow you to reach the lower track through the meadows. Aim for the roof of the furthest sheepfold (= the easternmost one) above this track.
There is a possible alternative route from (5) https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-/404...

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 21088186

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The half-hour climb is no exaggeration. The entire first part is well shaded and the picnic area is magnificent

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that I recommend. We extended it to Tête d'Arrêt and Col de la Couillole and returned via the GR 52A, covering 11 km with an elevation gain of 582 m, plus a visit to the village, which is not to be missed.

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Petitspas
Petitspas

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but be careful at the end where the directions are unclear. "The grassy path" on the left (stage 6) and "the lower path" (stage 7) are not easy to find...

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ninimouans
ninimouans
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this easy hike. We were lucky enough to do it on the day of the transhumance, saw the shepherd, and chatted with the shepherdess. We followed Sylvain V's advice from July 2018 and went via the Col de la Couillole. The downhill path is very easy and pleasant. Visiting the pretty hamlet just before the finish is also very enjoyable. In short, with superb weather, what a beautiful day!

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caty111
caty111

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy circular starting from Roubion, with the first part well shaded and the return more exposed to the sun, including an interesting visit to the village of Roubion.

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Olivier06
Olivier06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, Nice little hike. We did it on a Saturday and didn't see anyone else. Up to stage 4, the whole route is through the woods. At the beginning of June, after a few rains, nature was in full bloom in this area. Everything was green and lush, with buzzing and chirping everywhere, and woodpeckers calling in the distance. Between stages 4 and 5, there are lots of lovely spots to stop and rest. Beyond that, it's a little less interesting, but that may be because the rain and thunder made us hurry along. The village is also worth a visit. Ideal for a great day out.

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Papiluc06
Papiluc06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike through the larch forest. The route is not too difficult and does not require any special preparation. It can be done with children who are used to walking.

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gianco06
gianco06

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very poor signage...

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grandin
grandin ★

Thank you, sylvain.v06@gmail.com, for this suggestion, but why not submit your variation as a new hike?

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sylvain.v06@gmail.com
sylvain.v06@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike, the second part of which can be modified to make it truly perfect.
When you reach marker 5, continue a little further towards the Col de la Couillole and, when you reach a pointed chalet used as a sheepfold, take a track that climbs to the right towards the Tête d'Arrêt. Before reaching the top, above the cistern, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, as well as the high peaks of the Mercantour, and a few welcoming trees provide shade for eating. The summit of the Tête d'Arrêt is very green with magnificent meadows offering a beautiful view of the Fracha valley.
Then, to return to Roubion, you can reach the nearby Col de la Couillole and take the GR 52A trail, which heads back towards the village, by making a sharp left turn. Access to the GR is not well signposted (no signs), but there are red and white markings on the rocks below on the left when you reach the Col de la Couillole road. The return to Roubion on this GR is very beautiful, varied and quite shady. It is a small path, sometimes high up, which crosses wooded areas and grassy areas, with a fairly gentle descent and a few easy crossings over fallen trees. It is marked with signs all along the descent. Towards the end of the section, you rejoin the original path which descends from marker 7.

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mamcath90
mamcath90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very beautiful hike

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