Le Mas walks

Spectacular landscapes, a remote, wild region, villages nestled in the mountains: you are in the Haut-Estéron region. Three days’ hiking in this magnificent setting, alternating between paths and tracks through the woods, across the plains and along the ridges, whilst passing through some beautiful, isolated villages.

The first stage of the journey through the Haut Estéron region: the landscapes are magnificent and the area extremely wild; we didn’t come across a single other hiker. The trails are varied and well-marked. We’ll set off from the village of Le Mas to reach Amirat (lodge) via the Charamel mountain and the village of Les Mujouls.

This round trip hike, starting from the charming village of Le Mas, takes you to the summit of L'Arpille. L'Arpille is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Alpes-Maritimes on the Mercantour.

A moderately strenuous but very pleasant walk. It is the largest recorded and listed natural waterfall in the Alpes-Maritimes, with its three successive drops. The waterfall is exceptional and, in terms of height, is matched only by its Icelandic twin sisters. The start and end of this route offer a chance to discover the beautiful architectural heritage of Aiglun. Thanks to its strategic location, the inn is a popular spot at the end of this round trip in the Estéron.

An exceptional hike, combining history, nature and fitness. The troglodyte fortress is unique, the Vegay waterfall is rivalled only by its Icelandic twin sisters, and the rough section of the nature trail will test your sense of direction. The route concludes with a tour of Aiglun’s beautiful architectural heritage.

Located a stone’s throw from the village, on the edge of an impressive canyon, the troglodyte fortress known as the “Château d’Aiglun”, with its stone-masonry walls, nestled in its natural surroundings, bears witness to a mysterious past . This rural built heritage, a veritable bastion situated beneath the Giet cliff, is believed to be the largest of its kind in France, spanning nearly 80 metres. The construction of stone steps, the installation of metal steps, the safety works on the access routes, the installation of signage and attractive information points allow visitors to fully enjoy these magical, timeless places.

Circular route from the village of Gars to Briançonnet. This hike takes you to the impressive Source de Gars, the birthplace of Célestin Freinet, pioneer of modern education. It is a varied route that passes through the village of Briançonnet and the ruins of its feudal castle, from where there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Both villages are well worth a visit for their rich heritage.

Far from the most popular trails in the Alpes-Maritimes, this walk takes you through a few small villages in the upper Estéron valley. The circular route described here also offers some lovely panoramic views of the Mercantour mountains and features a fairly varied landscape, ranging from woodland to farmland. A long route with significant elevation gain but no technical difficulties. Please note: there appears to be an issue regarding private property.However, there is an issue between the waymark (7) and (8). The path is now closed by the owner of the farm. You must continue via the Crête des Rochers des Côtes and then rejoin the path at the far end of the Rochers de Notre-Dame.

A very pleasant, easy family hike through pine forests and small meadows, ideal for a picnic in the mountains.

At an altitude of over 1,400 metres, this pleasant hike through the pine trees takes you on a journey of discovery through an enchanting environment. The Pic de Fourneuby overlooks the village of Le Mas and offers a 360° panorama of the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes and neighbouring departments.

This hike is accessible to all. The highlight is the magnificent site of Castellaras, the only difficulty being the climb, which is nevertheless reasonable. The hike starts from the picturesque health resort of Thorenc. The route also offers views of Lake Thorenc and the Château des Quatre Tours. The variety of landscapes and paths is another interesting aspect of this hike. What's more, there are no navigation difficulties.

A very pleasant walk through a mixed forest offering some beautiful scenery. The views of the two gorges are magnificent, particularly that of the Riolan. The section running alongside the upper Estéron valley offers a sumptuous panorama and allows you to make out the peaks of the Mercantour in the distance.

Second stage of the journey through the Haut-Estéron region. This stage takes you to Saint-Auban via the pretty villages of Gars and Briançonnet, then over the somewhat steep Col de l’Escoussier; a variety of landscapes and a trek through wild countryside await!

A fairly easy route straddling the Alpes-Maritimes and the Alpes de Haute-Provence in the Haut-Estéron massif. The route runs mainly through coniferous and beech woodland. It takes you to two lovely villages: the small village of Amirat, which offers a panoramic view of the valley from its beautiful square, and the village of Castellet-Saint-Cassien with its castle.

Cime du Cheiron via a trail that is little known to walkers. This trail has been cleared by our club and marked with cairns. Moderator's note description from 2013; the situation on the ground seems to have changed with regard to the cairns marking certain sections. See reviews. GPS or Visorando app useful.

The walk starts and ends at the car park right next to Lake Thorenc. The aim is to enjoy the magnificent view at the foot of a TDF relay mast: to the south, the waters of the lake at the start of the walk reflect the surrounding forest, and further to the east stands the Castellaras, a natural defensive stronghold.