The Col de la Couillole and Pin Pourri in a circular route from Roubion

From Nice, take the RN 202, then the Route de la Tinée (M205) to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée. Then, turn left 500 m after the village exit to take the Route du Col de la Couillole and Roubion (M30). Park at Place Adolphe Ramin at the entrance to the village (choice of route), or a little further on near marker 255, after the tunnel and on the Hameau de Vignols track if there is no space.

(S/E) Head east-northeast, pass in front of the town hall and arrive at the foot of the church.

(1) Turn left and follow the Hameau de Vignols track for about 1.5 km until you reach marker 256.

(2) Take the path on the left, which climbs quite steeply, passes marker 256bi, then joins a fairly wide valley. Continue climbing along the valley, heading north-west, until you reach a plateau. From there, the path becomes more peaceful and runs alongside the Vignols track. Follow it until you reach a crossroads.

(3) Turn left towards the south-east. The path climbs a little more steeply through the Bois du Falcon, then joins the track of the same name. Follow this track to marker 288, then continue to the right for about 400 metres to reach a fork.

(4) Take the track on the right towards Mont Bussière for 1.5 km. It climbs north-west, crossing the forest again, before reaching the meadows of Mont Bussière.

(5) Turn left at the hairpin bend, going back slightly, and you will arrive at marker 102. From this marker, follow the path that descends south towards the Col de la Couillole.

(6) When you reach the pass, cross the road carefully, then take the stairs to the Auberge Quintessence car park. Then take the track on the right (not easy to see) which climbs up the meadow for 150 m, then take the track on the left which climbs southwards. Ignore a track on the left and continue to the next junction.

(7) Take the path on the right that climbs towards Pin Pourri and continue to the summit. From there, you can enjoy a view of Tête du Giaron and its vast meadows.

(8) Retrace your steps back to the fork.

(7) Then follow the track that descends to the right towards the south to reach the Compès plateau, the main track and marker 65.

(9) Continue along this track, which bends to the right and heads south to reach Terme Ribi, its cowshed and marker 315.

(10) Stay on the track for about 100 metres, then turn left. Cross the field heading north-east to join the green mountain bike track no. 9 and follow it carefully to the edge of hill 1541.

(11) At this point, on the flat section, leave the mountain bike trail and take the path on the left towards the hamlet of Villars. Take the tarmac road of Pré de Villars for 100 metres, then continue straight on along the path which will take you directly to the hamlet.

(12) Once on the Pré de Villars road, follow it for about 20 metres, then turn right onto the path that leads to the hamlet. Cross the hamlet to its end to reach the Col de la Couillole road. Cross carefullyto reach marker 296, then take the path that descends towards the Saint-Sébastien valley and marker 287.

(13) Turn right and climb back up towards the hamlet of Les Vallons until you reach marker 286. Continue straight ahead on the GR®52A, which will take you back to the village of Roubion and the car park (S/E).

It is best to use a GPS or have a good IGN map and a compass to find your way, as the route is a little technical.

Bring good walking shoes and appropriate hiking equipment, as the weather can change at any time in the mountains.

Bring enough water, as there are no water sources on this route, except in the village of Roubion.

There are no shops in the village either, except for the two restaurants.

Visit the medieval village of Roubion, admire its door paintings, the miniatures along the GR®52A, the Saint-Sébastien Chapel, and the Buisses ski resort with its mountain bike trails.