The Cheiron ridges

A challenging hike along the Cheiron ridge, passing by the summit of Cheiron (1,778 m), Jérusalem (1,768 m) and Croix de Verse (1,706 m). During the ascent, you will enjoy a 360° view, overlooking the villages of Gréolières, Cipières and Coursegoules to the south, and the village of Aiglun with its gorge, Mont Long to the north.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 835 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 831 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,770 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,227 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Gréolières les Neiges resort, car park below the ski lifts.

(S/E) Head west, pass the equipment hire shop and arrive at the crossroads of the road leading to the rescue centre.

(1) Turn left, pass in front of the rescue centre. Follow the path on the right that climbs under the adventure park and runs along the left bank of the reservoir.

(2) Continue along the path that climbs southwest, then south and finally east. Reach the arrival point of the Cime ski lift at the summit of Cime du Cheiron (1,778 m).

(3) Continue along the yellow-marked (PR®) ridge trail, which is also marked with cairns. Pass two ski lift arrival stations, first Les Crêtes and then Le Jas. Reach the pylon at the summit of Cime de Jérusalem (1,768 m).

(4) Stay on the ridge and follow a very slight descent to reach Croix de Verse (1706m).

(5) Continue the descent, staying on the ridge, with a few small detours due to the abundance of bushes. Pass marker 147 and immediately afterwards reach marker 146.

(6) Descend on the left towards the Audenq plain. Pass the ruins of the Guizol bastides.

(7) Cross the Vallon de la Faye stream (Bouyon river). You will arrive at a green tin hut.

(8) Leave the track and follow the yellow markings on the path that climbs left along the right bank of the stream to reach marker 127.

(9) Continue straight ahead on the path through the limestone blocks to reach marker 128.

(10) Continue left, following the yellowPR® markings. Reach the junction at marker 214 and continue straight ahead to the junction at marker 213.

(11) Climb left along a path heading south-west to marker 209, then descend straight ahead to marker 208.

(12) Turn left and follow the Chemin des Pivoines to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,399 m - Departure from the car park.
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 1,400 m - Head west, past the rental shop.
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 1,435 m - Continue on the path that climbs southwest.
  4. 3 : km 3.97 - alt. 1,770 m - Cime du Cheiron (1778m)
  5. 4 : km 5.26 - alt. 1,762 m - Jérusalem
  6. 5 : km 6.64 - alt. 1,700 m - Croix de Verse
  7. 6 : km 9.5 - alt. 1,409 m - Marker 146
  8. 7 : km 11.4 - alt. 1,258 m - Cross the - Bouyon (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 11.82 - alt. 1,293 m - Tin hut, follow the yellow markings on the left.
  10. 9 : km 12.59 - alt. 1,388 m - Marker 127
  11. 10 : km 13.37 - alt. 1,317 m - Marker 128
  12. 11 : km 16.92 - alt. 1,381 m - Marker 213
  13. 12 : km 17.56 - alt. 1,431 m - Marker 208, on the left on the Chemin des Pivoines
  14. S/E : km 18.01 - alt. 1,400 m - Return to car park

Notes

Difficulties: the length of the route, sharp limestone pavement on the ridge and numerous stony sections.
No possibility of replenishing water supplies, so bring a reasonable amount of water.

Orientation: the trail is not easy to follow. The yellowPR® trail markings from the summit of Cheiron are sometimes difficult to find. Numbered signposts are indicated on the IGN map.

Be aware of frequent fog, which makes orientation difficult.

Recommended period: May to November (depending on snow conditions).
Not recommended during hot summer days.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Koni
Koni

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are no markings on several parts of the hike, making it very difficult to follow. Fortunately, I had a GPS, otherwise I would still be up there looking for my way... A coat of yellow paint on the markings would be welcome :-)
The view from the ridges is incredible, truly magnificent...
It took us 5½ hours of actual walking (excluding breaks) to cover 19.5 km.

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Jeremie0611
Jeremie0611

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike. Beautiful views.
Quite long at 19.2 km.
For your information, completed in 5 hours and 9 minutes, excluding breaks.

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1visorando
1visorando

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Good evening

For your information, the route is already marked on the IGN map.
Following the recorded hike, we naturally took the same route as the person who recorded it.
There were a few problems on some sections after the ridges.
In the Ubac section too. In addition, the yellow markings are not very frequent and there are quite a few dead trees in the middle...which were already there when I passed through two years ago.
It is indeed a long and challenging hike. Avoid it on a "dark" day and during the change of seasons... autumn/winter.

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Antoine P1.
Antoine P1.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent walk. At the start, we went directly from 1 to 3 via the red trail. Beautiful views all along the ridge. Be careful between 8 and 9, where the yellow markings are almost non-existent and the path is difficult to see. Between 9 and 11, the path is a little uneven, so you need to pay attention to the markings. The undergrowth is superb. The walk is not particularly difficult, but at 18 km (16.5 km and 900 m elevation gain for us), it is long and requires a good supply of water.

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Sticot
Sticot
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on Cheiron.
We did this hike in August and, for some reason, we were constantly surrounded by swarms of flies (as were the other hikers we met that day).
Photos taken that day https://www.instagram.com/p/B_M1urGBpiU/

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Perseepj
Perseepj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Partial review as I was unable to complete the entire route due to approaching clouds. To be redone. One comment: part of the initial climb is on the blue Combes trail.

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pascale levrey
pascale levrey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

...... even though I'm in the clouds!! .... thank you very much

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lepapou
lepapou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike in fine weather, which is preferable.

Spectacular views: you can see the Calern plateau, Nice Bay and the sea on one side and the Alps on the other.

Encounter with the first marmots of spring between Cheiron and Pic Jérusalem.

The trail markings are sometimes unreliable, but this is not a problem with a GPS.

For botanists, there are many species of spring flowers.

A must-do hike in this area.

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