Le Grand Mont or Gramondo starting from Monti

Park in the small square in Monti, opposite the church.

(S/E) Take the small staircase leading down into the Careï valley. At the bottom of the stairs, follow the Monti path northwards, turning left. From here on, the village of Castellar is signposted and very easy to follow. Cross a road and you’ll find yourself among a few houses; simply continue following the direction of the village.
Cross a small bridge over the Careï and continue climbing towards Castellar, passing a few houses here and there. You will reach the junction marked with signpost 417.

PLEASE NOTE: following the bad weather in December 2019, the path from Monti to Castellar through the dark valley has suffered significant damage. Whilst only a few branches slow your progress in some places, the path has collapsed in two separate spots, forcing you to use your hands to get through. Nothing too serious, but avoid taking children along this section.

(1) Continue to the right on the^GR®51, still heading towards Castellar. The road gradually turns into a forest track and crosses the Vallon Obscur to marker 416 at the entrance to the village of Castellar

(2) Turn left towards the north, heading for the cemetery, along a short stretch of tarmac road. At the Fork in the road by the school, keep left towards the cemetery and marker 400, then take the Chemin de Saint-Bernard which climbs towards the pass of the same name. Continue to marker 401.

(3) Turn left to stay heading towards the Col Saint-Bernard. Continue up a long climb on a concrete track that winds its way towards the pass. Pass marker 402 and continue to marker 95b: there is a water point available at the Source du Merle, a few metres before the marker on your right.

(4) Leave the route to Col Saint-Bernard on your left and turn right towards Le Berceau and Pas de la Corne. Continue to the end of the track, pass a pen with a few mules followed by two successive hairpin bends. Just before the second one, continue up the track to the right, leaving the^GR® towards Mourga and marker 406 on the path branching off to the left. You will reach the end of the track.

(5) Turn left towards the north onto a long path that will take you under the Rocher de la Corne. Here you will rejoin the^GR® at the Baisse de Faïche Fonda.

(6) Follow it northwards to Colla Bassa and marker 95.

(7) Pass the enclosures on the right, heading towards the Grand Mont (Gramondo in Italian). Reach the border at marker 94.

(8) Please note: do not continue north here, but take the small path on the right that climbs towards the summit of Grand Mont.

Note: if you take the wrong path, you will come across the boundary marker a few metres further on, as well as a sign describing the local flora in Italian. If this happens, head back down slightly and take the path on the left to resume your ascent.

Please note: from here on, the path is very steep and stony, and the yellow markings are difficult to follow. Nothing insurmountable, but do be very careful and take your time climbing, keeping a general easterly direction. There are a few somewhat rough sections not recommended for children. As soon as the vegetation begins to thin out, the cross at the summit of Grand Mont gradually comes into view.
Enjoy the view and do pop into the little chapel at the summit, which has a guest book where you can record your visit.

(9) Begin the descent via the same route until you reach the Baisse de Faïche Fonda.

(6) Stay on the^GR® by taking the path on the right. Head down towards the "Petite Buvette", indicated on a wooden sign. You’ll pass it a few metres before the 95c marker at Mourga.

(10) Turn right, keeping the ruins on your left, then cross the pretty plateau to marker 95a and the Col Saint-Bernard with its chapel.

(11) Go round the chapel and head towards Penna-Monti on the left. Cross the small plateau to the Pointe de la Penna.

(12) Go through a small gate and you’ll come to a small Maginot Line fortification, which is fairly well-preserved and open to visitors. Now begin a long descent along the Rocher de la Penna to marker 418 on the road to Castellar.

(13) Cross the road and continue towards Monti until you reach the Ruisseau de la Condamine.

(14) There is no bridge here; cross by hopping across the rocks. The stream is not very wide and poses no difficulty. Continue along it until it flows into the Careï a little further down. You will then reach the junction with marker 417, which you passed on the way out.

(1) Follow the same path as on the way there back to the hamlet and the car park at Monti (S/E).

Two water points available:
Before (4) and before (10), the latter may not be supplied.

(9) Summit of the Grand Mont: this is the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic.

(10) Marker 95c Mourga: a few chairs and a water fountain are available for hikers.

Note: it took us 5 hours and 15 minutes of actual walking, without pushing ourselves too hard, to complete the entire circular loop.