The ridge and the edge of the Calern Plateau

Park in the observatory's visitor car park, located in front of the Watchtower, whose name is written on the building. This is where marker 48 is located.

(S/E) Follow the signs for Sommet de Calern along the tarmac road. You will soon reach a crossroads.

(1) Leave the road, turn right onto the path and follow the signs for Télescope Schmidt. Pass in front of the observatory building and continue along the path bordering the ridge. You will reach marker 116, a crossroads with the GR®4.

(2) Take it to the left for a few metres, then leave it to the right at the crossroads. There is a red and white cross on the rock here, which serves as a landmark. Walk for about ten metres, turn right at the cairn and follow the path to the cave about thirty metres away, which is the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Calern. The entrance is hidden by trees.

(3) Leave the chapel and immediately take the path on the left, marked with cairns, to reach the ridge trail. Continue along this yellow-marked trail to reach the summit of Calern, marked by a large cairn.

(4) Continue along this ridge line until you reach the small summit, also marked by a large cairn.

(5) Follow the descending path, which sometimes disappears into the low vegetation. Use the Visorando app if necessary. Halfway down the slope, you will reach a crossroads with several directions.

(6) Take the right-hand track – this is where the yellow markings end. Then follow the Haute Combe, passing under a power line before arriving at the ruins of the Bergerie de l'Aire d'Anelle.

(7) Continue straight ahead and you will soon reach another crossroads.

(8) Turn right and you will soon reach the power line. Continue along this path parallel to the power line and follow the yellow markings. Further on, you will find a cairn at a crossroads.

(9) Turn right onto the ascending path, then left to follow the^second power^line . Leave it to quickly reach the ruins of a drystone shelter.

(10) Turn right and continue along the ascending track until you reach another drystone shelter near Aven Moustique.

(11) Continue straight ahead on the track, joining the GR®4 at marker 188. Turn right and follow it to marker 189.

(12) Leave the GR® here and turn left towards the observatory, which is clearly visible in the distance. At marker 148, there are only about 100 metres left to go. Stay on this route to reach the observatory car park (S/E).

Hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended.
(7) Bergerie de l'Aire d'Anelle: there is a water well, but you will need a rope approximately 5 metres long to draw water from it.

(S/E) Côte d'Azur Observatory
(3) The Notre-Dame des Calern cave
(12) About thirty metres away is the entrance to the karstic cave of the Baudillouns, but it is not accessible as it is surrounded by barbed wire.