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From Nice, drive up the Var valley towards Puget Théniers. About 7 km after the junction between the Tinée valley and the Var valley, turn left towards the village of Malaussène and park in the car park in front of marker 4.
(S/E) Walk up the village streets for about 100 metres to find marker 5.
(1) Turn right towards Col du Vial. Follow the yellow markings, leave the village and cross a bridge. You will arrive at marker 11.
(2) Continue towards Col du Vial on the left. You’ll come out onto a wide track which you should follow to the left to reach marker 10.
(3) Begin the climb through the Mont Vial Forest, continuing to follow the direction of Col du Vial. You are first surrounded by oak trees, then conifers. Reach marker 9 after a 1.2 km climb.
(4) Continue the climb to the right towards the Col du Vial: you’ll be treated to unobstructed views of the Pépoiri, Pétoumier and Giraud mountains. Look for marker 281.
(5) Turn left and follow the signs for Mont Vial to quickly reach marker 282.
(6) Head left towards Mont Vial, and during this section you will reach the Vial ridge. On the left, there are views of the peaks of the Merveilles, Gordolasque, Vésubie and Tinée valleys, and finally the Var. Look for marker 283 as you reach the access road to Mont Vial.
(7) Head along the road towards Mont Vial: you now have a 360° view of the surrounding peaks. Just before reaching the antennas, turn right towards the highest point at 1,550 m, which is reached quickly: enjoy this magnificent 360° panorama of the Mercantour and the coast.
(8) Retrace your steps then turn right towards Revest-les-Roches. You’ll reach marker 285.
(9) Take the path on the left towards Revest-les-Roches and begin the descent towards the Col du Serse, i.e. marker 8.
(10) As the path between marker 8 and marker 9 is closed, retrace your steps along the ascent route to return to Malaussène (S/E).
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Moderate 
Difficult 
