The small pass of Huesti tour from La Vilette (Le Cros d'Utelle)

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Starting from the La Villette district, located 2 km west of Cros d'Utelle, on the border between the Var and Vésubie rivers, this very pleasant hike, ideal in spring or for getting back into exercise, offers breathtaking views of these two valleys and Mont Arpasse.

Details

n°9820854
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 515 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 515 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,060 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 618 m
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Photos

Hamlet of "La Valette"
West small pass d'Uesti Trail.
Rocky vegetation.
Wooded area north of small pass d'Huesti.

Description of the walk

La Villette district, located 2 km west of Cros d'Utelle.
Park in the car park at the entrance to the hamlet.

(S/E) At the end of the car park, take the short path that leads to the road.
Cross the road; the path begins opposite, between marker 102 and the ruins of the Sainte-Barbe Chapel. Follow the carriage road, which becomes a path.

Yellow markings

(1) Marker 103. Turn right towards Madone d'Utelle.

(2) At the V-shaped crossroads, turn left.

(3) Marker 104. Continue straight ahead towards Madone d'Utelle and follow the path.

(4) Entering a pastoral area. At the trail junction marked 105, turn left onto this vague grassy path and follow the yellow markings and a few cairns. In case of poor visibility due to low clouds, stay to the left of the markings.

(5) Turn left and descend towards the forest.
After this descent, the return journey is a series of easy paths.

(6) Marker 100. Follow the path towards Le Chaudan.

(7) Marker 99. Continue on the path on the right towards Le Chaudan until you reach a field.

(8) Please note: the path disappears somewhat in the field, so continue towards the high-voltage power line as a landmark and you will quickly find the trail again.

(9) Marker 98. Turn left and follow the path towards La Vilette.
Views of the village of Levens and Mont Arpasse.

(10) Marker 101. Continue straight ahead towards La Valette.
Stop for a few moments in the natural rock shelters.

(1) Marker 103. Turn right towards the nearby hamlet of La Vilette.
Pass between marker 102 and the chapel ruins to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 618 m - Vehicle parking.
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 630 m - Marker 103.
  3. 2 : km 0.39 - alt. 664 m - Trail junction.
  4. 3 : km 0.52 - alt. 681 m - Marker 104.
  5. 4 : km 2.4 - alt. 1,040 m - Marker 105.
  6. 5 : km 3.2 - alt. 1,046 m - Steep trail.
  7. 6 : km 4.99 - alt. 841 m - Marker 100.
  8. 7 : km 5.16 - alt. 815 m - Marker 99.
  9. 8 : km 5.62 - alt. 816 m - Fields.
  10. 9 : km 6.83 - alt. 689 m - Marker 98.
  11. 10 : km 8.45 - alt. 686 m - Marker 101.
  12. S/E : km 9.42 - alt. 618 m - Car park.

Notes

The area near marker 105 is a pastoral area. Herding dogs live at the pace of the herd and know how to interpret threatening situations and react accordingly. When in the presence of the herd, walk around the animals.

There is no water on the route.

Following Storm Alex, no part of this route has been damaged.
The hike is on stony or earthy trails, so be sure to wear good walking shoes.

Worth a visit

On the M2565, at the Cros d'Utelle junction, take the time to go down and see the stone bridge over the Vésubie, which once provided access to the great Salt Road from Levens to Utelle. (The bridge withstood Storm Alex).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, dear NELLY J, for your review.
These places are truly magnificent
- Best regards, Rando. B

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NELLY J
NELLY J

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The road to La Villette, the starting point, is winding and narrow... From the car park, the path is quite steep, but the magnificent autumn colours of the landscape reward our efforts. A lovely encounter with some donkeys is also very pleasant. The view of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour contrasts with the colourful foliage of the surrounding trees. We catch sight of the Madonne d'Utelle, which we can visit at our leisure. Be careful, we came across a few hunters with their dogs... It is wise to sing a few songs or carry a whistle with you on the descent, out of sight...

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Krysia, for this review. It was indeed a lovely hike.
Best regards, B.

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Krysia
Krysia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on 01/03/2025, no one else on the trail. Beautiful, varied and easy route. Not much of a view of the Mercantour peaks due to the clouds.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Dominique Torre, for this interesting review.
Best regards, B.

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Dominique Torre
Dominique Torre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant walk on 11 January 2025 with magnificent views over the valleys. Small but very beautiful forest at the small pass of Huesti. Clean, even path that is very well marked. No problems with Patou or other dogs at this time of year. Just a 15-minute walk from the village of La Villette (west), the passage under the rock and the shelter (former sheepfold) with a drinking trough are well worth a visit. We did the tour clockwise to enjoy the western part, which we didn't know, in case the overcast weather prevented us from completing the full tour. I think it's just as good as the other way round.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Mario Simard, for your words.
you have touched me.

I love this region and Nice.
If you would like a greeter in Nice,
I will put my heart into showing you this city,
as I would in describing the trails of the 06
Best regards,

I will forward your message to Visorando.

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Mario Simard
Mario Simard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike took longer than expected because I stopped too often to admire the wonderful scenery. It was a good climb, but not particularly difficult.

I must admit that I cheated. As time was running out, shortly after point 7, I took the path towards La Villette, which leads back to point 10 (without going through 8 and 9). So I covered a little less than seven kilometres in total. The detour via Le Chaudan will be for next time.

As for the big black dog, I spotted him on the path about 500 metres from the car park. When he saw the car, he started running at full speed to his house, which is right next to the car park. He was barking, but he wasn't trying to come towards me and he wasn't really threatening. As I was taking a long time to leave, he got bored and lay down, ignoring me. On my return, he was still lying in the garden and didn't even get up when he saw me.

Bernard, more generally, here is a text I just posted on the forum that concerns you:
A few words to warmly thank the volunteers at Visorando. My partner and I are from Quebec and we are spending our third winter in the Nice area. The generosity of all those who share their knowledge of the region has allowed us to better appreciate its beauty. THANK YOU!

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you for this constructive feedback.
Best regards, Rando B

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adlprade
adlprade
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike.
The view upon reaching marker 4 at the top of the climb is truly magnificent.
The welcome from the hamlet's residents was particularly charming.
Please note that the initial climb (2.5 km) is exposed, so take care in hot weather.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Gé and Co, thank you so much for your opinion.

I apologise and am unforgivable for the errors in proper names
I will check to see if the corrections have been made

Please send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured participant.
Dogs at the pass are a known factor, but as far as I know, this was not the case at the car park.
Best regards, rando b

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Gé and Co
Gé and Co

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A very beautiful hike done on 27/03/2022 with a group of six people. Very beautiful views.
It was a little difficult to find the trail after point 4 in the description (marker 105) because of the presence of the herd and the sheepdogs. You have to stay to the left of the yellow markings so you don't miss the trail that descends
into the forest (point 5).
One small downside on the way back: when changing shoes in the car park near the picnic table, one of the
participants was attacked and bitten by a large black dog from a neighbouring property. As a result, she had to go to A&E and had four stitches. So the day ended on a stressful note.
So be very vigilant, as it seems this is not the first time this has happened.
The title of the hike needs two changes: Huesti, not Uesti, and La Villette, not La Valette.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you very much, Fabienne, for your review.
Have a good evening
Best wishes, Rando B.

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fabienne.ponson
fabienne.ponson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very nice walk

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bernard bb
bernard bb
• Edited:

Thank you millepat06 for your constructive feedback.
Have a good evening, best regards, rando b.

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