The fortifications of the Authion massif

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In April 1945, the entire Authion massif was the scene of fighting that led to the liberation of the Alpes-Maritimes. This route passes through the main fortifications of the Alpes-Maritimes fortified sector (SFAM). Apart from its historical significance, this circular route offers magnificent panoramic views of the high peaks of the Mercantour to the north and the Mediterranean to the south.

Details

n°16659583
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 597 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 588 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,076 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,686 m
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Photos

Towards the summit of Colla Bassa
Mille Fourches
Mille Fourches
Mille Fourches

Description of the walk

The start and finish of this hike are at Camp d'Argent.
From Col de Turini, take the D68 and park in the Camp d'Argent resort car park.

(S/E) At the north-eastern end of the car park, cross the D68 and you will immediately find the start of theGR®®52trail on your right. Follow this beautiful forest trail which follows the curves of the Authion route below. Reach the Mercantour National Park.

(1) Gradually climb back up towards this road.

(2) Cross the Bévéra, near its source, and join the road at Cabanes Vieilles. Visit this barracks and the Char de l'Authion monument (marker 28b).

(3) Follow the route of the Authion route to the first bend.

(4) Take a small shortcut path that avoids a bend in the road. This path is clearly marked on the IGN map and its route is fairly accurate. Please note: it is not always clearly marked on the ground. Keep to the left of the stream for about 100 m. Cross it and move away from it, heading up towards the road. Cross the path that leads to the Vacherie de l'Authion.
If you are unsure, it is best to stay on the road.

(5) Join the clearly visible D68. Continue along the road until you reach the junction for the Batterie du Plan Caval (barracks and blockhouses).

(6) Turn right and enter this former military site. Retrace your steps to the last ruined building on the right. Walk along the embankment above the road and gradually descend to rejoin the D68. Return to the junction between the D68 and a path that climbs up the hillside towards the redoubt

(7) Take this path towards the redoubt, the fort that crowns the Pointe des Trois Communes.

(8) Head towards marker 410 on theGR®®52. Continue on theGR®®52until you reach a fork.

(9) Leave theGR®® and head directly south-east to reach the barracks and then the Forca fortification

(10) Descend the hairpin bends of the old military track to the D68

(11) Cross it. Follow the signs to climb the hill where the Mille Fourches fortress is hidden.

(12) Return to the D68 via the same path.

(11) Walk along the D68 to Baisse de Tueis.

(13) At the car park, near the monument to the memory of the soldiers of the1st DFL, begin the final ascent to the Cime de Tueis.

(14) Take a path that is quite steep at first and descend to the Camp d'Argent car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,739 m - Camp d'Argent car park - La Baisse de Camp
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,691 m - Mercantour National Park
  3. 2 : km 3.41 - alt. 1,755 m - Bévéra (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 4.69 - alt. 1,780 m - Barracks at Cabanes Vielles
  5. 4 : km 5.48 - alt. 1,769 m - Path to cut the bend
  6. 5 : km 5.87 - alt. 1,844 m - Vacherie de l'Authion trail
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 1,904 m - Plan Caval Battery
  8. 7 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,929 m - Path to Pointe des 3 communes
  9. 8 : km 7.59 - alt. 2,071 m - La Redoute - Pointe des Trois Communes
  10. 9 : km 8.4 - alt. 2,058 m - Turn-off towards La Forca
  11. 10 : km 8.83 - alt. 2,070 m - La Forca
  12. 11 : km 9.67 - alt. 1,985 m - Crossroads towards Les Mille Fourches - Col des mille Fourches (1986 m)
  13. 12 : km 10.28 - alt. 2,041 m - Fort des Mille Fourches (BREIL SUR ROYA)
  14. 13 : km 12.6 - alt. 1,884 m - Baisse de Tueis
  15. 14 : km 12.98 - alt. 1,922 m - Cime de Tueis
  16. S/E : km 14.08 - alt. 1,739 m - Camp d'Argent car park

Notes

? Good mountain boots.
? No water available along the entire route.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
yves.drapp
yves.drapp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very attractive route that takes us to discover the fortifications built in the Authion massif.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As for visitor numbers, everything is relative compared to winter – there are hikers!!! Or rather, tourists arriving by car who take advantage of the easy access
A pleasant start in the forest to reach the Cabanes Vieilles, where restoration work is underway. A little later, between points 4 and 5, I saw a chamois coming to drink from the stream.
The fortifications and their history add an extra touch to the walk. I did it for the first time this season. On cross-country skis or snowshoes, superb, but be careful of avalanche zones
The route does not present any particular difficulties.

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CLOUZET
CLOUZET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went on a beautiful snowshoe hike in March 2024 and discovered three forts in Authion, which were covered in snow, which was definitely a bonus. We'll definitely be back in another season to see the forts in a different setting, as they're well worth a look! We really enjoyed this hike

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Alex Go
Alex Go

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant start in the forest, leading to 360° panoramic views of the Mercantour and the sea.
The fortifications add a cultural touch to the walk.
The route is not particularly difficult. It is possible to descend directly to Camp d'Argent from the fort, but it would be a shame to miss two interesting fortifications.
The only slight downside is the stretch along the road at the end.

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Gofy
Gofy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along a beautiful trail with wildlife.

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Roby06
Roby06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, we were lucky enough to spot a deer with her fawn
in the forest section of the Tueis descent.
We made a slight detour from the route; at marker 28b, we headed towards the valley
to reach marker 151 and then the track that joins the Route des Forts. It's a little longer, but it's worth the detour.
Note: From the fort at Pointe des 3 Communes, when there is no fog, you can see Corsica.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.