The Cime de la Cacia from Sigale

The gradual climb to the summit of Cime de la Cacia offers views of the Barre des Molières, a natural rock face that is also used by rock climbers. The summit, which is reached after crossing a scree slope, offers beautiful 360° views. The return trail follows the only route that once connected France to the County of Savoy.

Details

42321864
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 702 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 703 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,099 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 585 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park at the entrance to the village of Sigale.

(S/E) Walk a few dozen metres towards the nearby village and turn right at marker 121, towards Cime de la Cacia. This ancient forest path lined with terraces led to the fields. At the Bassins track, turn right, then immediately left 20 metres further on. Continue along this path until you reach marker 122.

(1) Turn right onto the carriage road towards Cime de la Cacia and continue for about 100 metres. Start of the yellow markings: in the bend, veer left and follow these markings. Continue along the ascending path to reach the foot of Barre des Molières.

(2) Continue on the right to walk along the foot of this rocky ridge and reach the crossroads at marker 136.

(3) Take the path on the right to reach the Cime de la Cacia, marked by a giant cairn.

(4) Turn around to return to the previous crossroads.

(3) Walk past the marker for about 20 metres, then take the path downhill on the right to quickly reach the multiple junction at marker 135.

(5) Turn left towards Bois de la Cacia / Clue du Riolan. Continue along this long wooded path and, via a series of hairpin bends, reach marker 140 at the junction with the D17 tarmac road.

(6) Follow it to the left with caution as this road has heavy traffic. Cross the Clue du Riolan and arrive at the crossroads of a path at marker 139.

(7) Leave the D17 and turn right onto the path towards Sigale, which will quickly take you to the junction at marker 77. Turn sharply left onto theGR®510, marked in white and red. Reach marker 138 and return to the D17. Take care here too, turning right and following the road for about 100 metres until you reach marker 137.

(8) Leave the D17 and keep left on theGR®510to return to the crossroads at marker 122, which you passed on the way out.

(1) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction. At the village, pass marker 121 and continue right on the road that enters the village until you reach marker 123 in front of the church. Visit the bell tower and the botanical trail. Then cross Place de la Clastre to reach the stairs on the left that lead to a clock tower.

(9) Turn around. Pass the church and town hall again and follow the road back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 633 m - Car park at the entrance to the village of Selvage.
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 734 m - Marker 122
  3. 2 : km 1.51 - alt. 867 m - Foot of the Barre des Molières
  4. 3 : km 2.24 - alt. 1,044 m - Marker 136
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,097 m - Cime de la Cacia (1105m)
  6. 5 : km 3.43 - alt. 953 m - Marker 135
  7. 6 : km 6.18 - alt. 618 m - Marker 140 (D17). Towards - Rioulan (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 6.92 - alt. 647 m - Marker 139
  9. 8 : km 8.39 - alt. 679 m - Marker 137
  10. 9 : km 9.91 - alt. 635 m - Clock tower
  11. S/E : km 10.19 - alt. 633 m - Car park at the entrance to the village of Selvage.

Notes

Hike can be done all year round depending on weather conditions.
Hiking boots and walking sticks recommended. Rocky terrain.
No water available along the route.

Worth a visit

After (7) at marker 77: there is an old stone bridge connecting Sallagriffon to Sigale, which served as the border between France and the County of Savoy until 1860. This mule track, the only means of communication between these two villages, is a vestige of the past.
Between (8) and (1), cross a large field, which was used by the inhabitants of Sigale until the early 19th century. The first projects to open up the Nice hinterland date back to 1830.
(9) Clock tower: used in 1902 to mark the rhythm of village life. A necessity for the people of Sigala. The staircase leading up to this local landmark is lined with various plant species.
(S/E) Finish the walk with a visit to the village and a few details here.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Larroque Nadine, for your review.
A wonderful discovery.
Best regards, B.

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larroque nadine
larroque nadine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Discovering the summit of La Cacia... very beautiful, less time and less elevation gain than expected.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you Randocaz for this review
A magnificent panorama indeed.
Best regards, Rando, B

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Randocaz
Randocaz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even on a very cloudy day, this route is enjoyable.
Beautiful views from the summit.
The only "difficulty" is the descent from the summit, which requires a minimum of attention.
The old stone bridge connecting Sallagriffon to Sigale is worth a detour at marker 77. It's a good place to stop for lunch.
And the old streets of Sigale are worth paying attention to on the way back down to the cars.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you for this wine-loving review.
Nothing more to add, very enjoyable hike
Best regards, B.

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oenolatre
oenolatre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This is a pleasant winter hike. The elevation gain is not significant and can be done by most people. There is a beautiful 360° view from the Cime de la Cacia. At the B77, don't hesitate to continue for another 100 metres to see the beautiful stone bridge over the Riolan. The village of Sigale is pretty and well restored. Don't hesitate to climb the tower overlooking the village.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Bruno, for this review.
Have a great end of the year, B.

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Bruno BEDEL
Bruno BEDEL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 1959
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike despite the short stretch along the road.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Danouche, it was indeed a lovely walk.
Best regards, B.

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Danouche
Danouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Nice hike, marker 137 not very visible due to excessive vegetation.

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christiangallerne
christiangallerne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent passage through the gorge.

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