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Arriving from Levens, park in the car park at the left-hand exit of the village of Duranus, near the cemetery.
(S/E) Head towards the small fountain opposite the car park. Pass marker 404 heading towards the Crête de Saint-Antoine, and begin the ascent to the left, due north. The trail markings to follow will be yellow.
(1) When you reach marker 441, take the stony track ascending to your right, heading east then south-east and west towards an antenna.
(2) Continue along the track until you reach marker 442.
(3) Leave the track and turn left towards the Crête de Saint-Antoine, which you begin to climb.
(4) At marker 446, continue to the right along the ascending path towards the Crête des Graus and marker 445.
(5) Turn left towards the Crête des Graus and the Col de l’Autaret.
(6) At marker 447 at the junction between the Col de l’Autaret and the Rocca Sparvièra, start the circular col route on the left, passing via the Cime de l’Autaret. Head to the left of the marker. Begin the final ascent of the day. Climb some 200 m along the path and veer slightly to your left to climb up to the summit, following the ridge (stay a few metres away from it). You’ll reach the highest point: the Cime de l’Autaret (alt. 1307 m).
(7) Enjoy the view of the Mercantour massif and, also in front of you, the Madone and the Brec d’Utelle. You can even see the Mediterranean Sea to your left, where the Lérins Islands lie, and where the Esterel massif meets the coast.
(8) At marker 448, indicating the Col de l’Autaret (alt. 1,280 m), return to the previous marker (marker no. 447) by taking the path veering sharply to the right.
(6) Walk past marker 447 and continue straight on to reach the ruins of the ghost village of Rocca Sparvièra.
(9) The history of this place is fascinating; you can find out more online or on an information panel a little further down, near the Saint-Michel Chapel. Walk through this piece of history to the Saint-Michel Chapel, which lies below marker 444.
(10) Visit the beautiful little chapel before continuing your descent towards Col Saint-Michel, taking the path down to the left.
(11) At Col Saint-Michel (alt. 970 m), pass the two consecutive markers 443 (both markers have the same number). Head up to the right towards L’Éguisse.
(12) At marker 460, leave the stony track and join the path marked by the signpost, continuing towards Baisse de la Minière. Carry on to marker 459.
(13) Turn right towards “l’Éguisse ancienne mine”. Continue your descent through the ruins of this former arsenic mine. You will be able to see, in particular, a large chimney that is still intact, as well as the remains of the mining buildings.
Please note: Access to the mines is prohibited by prefectural order.
Continue north-west then west along the single track, still marked with yellow markings, until you return to a tarmac road below the village of Duranus.
(14) At marker 461, head up to the right for the final kilometre along the tarmac road to the village of Duranus and the car park (S/E).
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