The Sommet des Graus via Roche Cline

Access: From Allos, head up towards Lac d’Allos, then turn right just before the Saint-Brigitte farm, onto what looks like a farm track; cross a stream over a concrete slab, then follow the path.
The road from the Sainte-Brigitte farm to the Herbe Blanche barrier is very stony, with clearly marked water crossings; proceed with caution – low-clearance vehicles should avoid this route. Finally, just before the Herbe Blanche barrier, there is one last very deep water crossing; many cars may scrape the bottom!
Park before the Barrière de l’Herbe Blanche, in the fairly large car park there or a few bends further down.

(S/E) Take the path behind the gate until you reach a fork just before the Cabane de l’Herbe Blanche.

(1) Turn right – it’s signposted ‘Roche Cline’. Head straight up through the tall grass; the landscape then becomes rockier until you reach a junction below the summit of Roche Cline.

(2) Leave the path, passing the climb to the summit on your right, and continue straight on towards the Sommet des Graus; this isn’t a well-marked path but is signposted by cairns at intervals. There are lovely views in all directions, towards Allos and Valplane.

(3) Return via the same route to the Barrière de l’Herbe Blanche (S/E)

Mercantour National Park regulations; full details can be found via this link:
- Between (2) and (3), you are in a wildlife quiet zone. Please respect the regulations.
- Bivouacking and camping: permitted only more than an hour’s walk from road access points and the park boundaries, from 7.00 pm to 9.00 am. It is forbidden to spend the night in your vehicle in a car park or at the side of the road within the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
- Dogs are not permitted, even when kept on a lead
- Fires are prohibited in the heart of the park and also throughout the Alpes-Maritimes department
by prefectural decree.
- Parking may be prohibited at the start of certain walks due to the risk of
torrential mudslides and rockfalls.
No water source. On the final (second) shoulder, just below the summit of Roche Cline, the going is very steep; pace yourself.

Chamois are often spotted in the valley to the left or just below the summit of Roche Cline. There’s some génépi near the summit of Les Grauss for those who know where to find it… The boundary of the Mercantour National Park is very close by, towards Valplane!