Malmort Castle

de fr

A former 14th-century stronghold on the right bank of the Roya, Malmort Castle formed part of a defensive system controlling the Roya Valley under the rule of the House of Savoy.

Details

n°563868
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 628 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 632 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 971 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 400 m
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Photos

Malmort Castle and Saorge
Ruins of Malmort Castle overlooking Saorge

Description of the walk

In Saorge, take the D40 and park at marker 183 (see details in the ‘Practical Information’ section)
(S/E) From marker 183 (alt. 480m), cross the Caïros valley and head up through the woods towards the south-west.

(1) At the fourth hairpin bend, leave the path that goes straight ahead and continue climbing to the right until you reach marker 184.

(2) The path continues to climb before turning eastwards. Cross the seasonal stream and, after about 350m, you will reach a junction (elevation 813m). At this junction, turn right (south-west) and continue climbing via tight switchbacks.

(3) Pass a path on your right, cross a valley and head east to reach marker 180. Continue due east to marker 181 (this is located approximately 250m after passing under a high-voltage power line).

(4) At marker 181, leave the marked route and head south, then east, then north-east to the castle (visible below, 800m).

(5) Climb back up to marker 181.

(4) Descend, following roughly a north-east-facing ridge to marker 182 (elevation 723m) and then on to marker 427.

(6) The route then heads due west until you cross the stream, then north to marker 428 where you join the D40. Simply head west for 800m to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 460 m - Park at marker 183. Cross the valley of the - Caïros (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 529 m - Turn right at the junction
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 688 m - Marker 184
  4. 3 : km 1.98 - alt. 899 m - Go straight on at the junction
  5. 4 : km 2.91 - alt. 875 m - Marker 181
  6. 5 : km 3.27 - alt. 827 m - Château de Malmort
  7. 6 : km 4.76 - alt. 409 m - Marker 427 - Roya (fleuve)
  8. S/E : km 5.86 - alt. 460 m - Parking at marker 183

Notes

Access to the starting point:
Take the Tende road (M6204 – Roya Valley) until you reach the approach to Saorge (on the right-hand side, slightly higher up than the road). About 1.6 km after the access road to Saorge (on the right), turn left onto the D40 at a factory situated in a bend of the Roya; follow this road for 1.4 km to marker 183.

Worth a visit

Malmort Castle (or Malamorte) is a former 14th-century stronghold on the right bank of the Roya, overlooking Saorge from a height of around 300 m; manned by a castellan, three sergeants… and a dog, it formed part, along with two other castles (the Castles of Saint George and Sales), of a defensive system securing the Roya valley under the rule of the House of Savoy (see Edmond Rossi: Les Châteaux du Moyen-Âge dans les Alpes-Maritimes, Editions des Régionalismes); the ruins consist mainly of a crenellated tower, a curtain wall and a retaining wall enclosing a trapezoidal courtyard.

Visit to Saorge, a former medieval market town, notably the Monastery and the Sainte-Marie del Poggio Chapel, both listed as Historic Monuments, amongst other sites.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a very nice hike. We took the alternative route from marker 184 to marker 179, then headed back towards the castle. There was a lot of snow, 20 cm at the summit, and we descended directly to marker 428 without going via the castle as the weather was too threatening. We'll save that for next time.

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jacques06380
jacques06380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I added two alternative routes to the route starting from marker 184; I headed towards Pont de Gafeug along a path in good condition, then at marker 179 I turned back towards the castle, where I rejoined marker 180 of the original route
Another variation: at the start, I left the car just after the junction on the D40 at a place called Ambo; after the first house, there is a lay-by where several cars can park; I started the route from this point
The route, including these two variants, is 10.3 km long with an elevation gain of 810 m
Magnificent views over the valley and the snow-capped peaks

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

It would be a good idea to warn people of this hazard, at the very least with a sign, or better still with a few posts and a rope.

The marking, maintenance and safety of the paths are not the responsibility of Visorando.

Kind regards

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philippe83
philippe83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The walk is exactly as described... with a magnificent view from the summit over Saorge, the Roya Valley and the Mercantour on the Italian side.
An important safety point: The walk (paths and directions) is very well signposted by recent signs from the departmental council, but as you approach Malmort Castle, the path runs just a few metres from a cliff with a 100-metre drop. It would be wise to warn of this danger with at least a sign, or better still, a few posts with a rope.
Best regards to all.

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papillon06
papillon06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A moderately difficult hike that lives up to its description; it’s very pleasant in summer as much of the ascent takes place through the forest... with a stunning view of the village of Saorge from the summit!

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