Mont l'Ablé via the Roccanièra valley from Lucéram

Park in one of the car parks in the village of Lucéram and walk towards Place Adrien Barralis, which is the town hall square.

(S/E) At this point, signpost number 170 directs us to the right towards the Col de Braus^GR®®510. The red and white markings guide us through the cobbled streets of Lucéram. Turn left at the wash house, head towards the church that dominates the village and follow the north wall of the building. You will find yourself facing a small valley. With your back to the church, turn left and start down a short concrete slope.

(1) At the crossroads of concrete paths, pay attention and immediately turn left. Leave the^GR®®510, which passes to the right over a stone bridge. Continue along the path that runs alongside the village houses, which are all built close together. At the white and red cross on the left, follow this flat, narrow grassy path parallel to a stream flowing below. Walk along the terraced walls. Pass by the foot of an old house.

Cross the stream and begin the ascent. This winding path is rarely used and often marked with cairns. Halfway up the slope, do not turn left onto an unmarked path. Turn around from time to time to enjoy the views of the village of Lucéram. The low but unobtrusive vegetation makes it easy to spot the cairns that indicate the right direction. Continue towards the Roccaniéra valley, which can be seen on the left. The dirt trail follows the side of the mountain. Walk along a rocky barrier and continue on this wooded trail towards the Col de l'Ablé.

(2) Cross the stream and take the path opposite, marked by cairns. Continue along the path, from where you will begin to see the summit of Col de l'Ablé. At the end of the valley, three trees precede impenetrable vegetation. At this point, turn left. Cairns guide you around this dip in the terrain. Look up, the pass is just above you.

(3) Marker 53. Col de l'Ablé. Take advantage of the short grassy area at this pass to take a break at the picnic area. The nearby D54 road is known as the annual "playground" for Monte Carlo Rally drivers. Walk along the fire water reservoir, pass marker 53 and continue north on the unmarked uphill gravel track. After about 100 m, the track turns to the left. The climb is short but steep to the summit of Mont l'Ablé.

(4) At the top, the pleasant grassy path continues on a gentle slope under majestic fir trees. The path descends to the crossroads (marked by stone boundary markers). You will arrive at a crossroads.

(5) At marker 180, continue left on the track called "Piste Saint-Michel" towards Col de l'Orme.

(6) Marker 181 is missing. Take care with road traffic. Follow the hairpin bend to the left on the D54 road and, about ten metres after the bend, turn left onto a stony path leading downhill. After about ten metres, at the V-shaped crossroads, turn left. The path leads back to the D54 and Col de l'Orme.

(7) At marker 182, continue towards "Lucéram/La Morga". The path passes behind an old stone building and descends gently towards Lucéram. Continue to the D21 tarmac road. Cross carefully and walk to the nearby raised metal sign marked "D21/18 Lucéram 4.8 km". At this point, turn right onto the stony path to the bend in the road.

(8) Continue straight ahead for about 20 metres, taking care. There are no markings. Leave the tarmac road and follow the stony path lined with pine trees on the right, called Sentier du Moulinet. At the D21 road, which you cross again, there is a metal sign saying "Quartier Roussillon/chemin du Moulinet". Cross with caution. Follow this cemented carriageway at the start. After a descent and a steep slope, the path, which is still passable by vehicle, descends again. The surface of this carriageway, composed of earth and stones, is relatively recent.

(9) At this bend in the road, there is a cairn (note: there is a black water pipe on the left-hand side, 2 metres high). Leave the road and continue straight on towards Lucéram, which you can see in the distance. Take the old path that linked the Morga district to Lucéram. Continue along this path. At marker post number 183, continue towards Lucéram, which is nearby. You will approach the north tower of the fortification and ramparts. The path leads to Rue des Poilus. First turn left then right to descend a wide staircase called "la Montée du Terron". Follow Rue Caroline Gaetti to reach the town hall square, taking time to admire these dark, cobbled streets steeped in history (S/E).

No water points on the route.
Hiking boots and walking sticks recommended.

Visit the medieval village of Lucéram. See its ramparts and church containing precious altarpieces by Bréa.
Every year in December, the Christmas crib route presents 450 cribs on display throughout the village.