Mont Jalla via the Col de Vence, La Bastille and La Vierge Noire

Start from the small public car park on Chemin de Cabessière.

(S/E) Follow Chemin de Cabessière, then Allée des Treilles. At the cemetery, take the hairpin bend, left, then right, onto Chemin de Souberthaud, and arrive at a four-way junction.

(1) Continue straight ahead, uphill, then carry on along the path at no. 5, then along the road at no. 15. Reach a hairpin bend to the right after passing the farm.

(2) Turn left onto the path that climbs and reach a small tarmac road. Turn left, then right, onto Chemin de Château Pilon, just before the roadblock. Follow it to the end, then continue a few more metres uphill to reach the next junction.

(3) Turn left onto Chemin des Batteries, towards Mont Rachais / Col de Vence. Continue along the forest track which climbs gradually until you reach the next fork.

(4) Turn right and continue along the track to the junction (signposted) at the end of the climb.

(5) Head left for 100 m, then left onto the path that follows the ridge, crosses a field and continues, almost at the summit, with a few descents to the next junction (signposted posts).

(6) Turn right and continue down a steep descent, straight ahead, taking care on a few technical sections! You’ll reach a road above the village of Clémencieres.

(7) Continue uphill to the right, towards La Frette - Col de Vence. Follow the^D57F until you rejoin the route you took earlier after the pass.

(3) Take the Chemin des Batteries on the right, then continue along the forest track which climbs gradually to the next junction.

(4) Leave the route you have already taken and go straight on towards La Bastille. Pass a few short technical climbs, followed by steep descents with large, smooth and slippery stones – take care. Carry on straight ahead until you reach the small track leading to the National Memorial to the Mountain Troops.

(8) You can make a short detour to the right to visit the memorial. Continue downhill to the left and reach the fifth hairpin bend.

(9) Leave the track and take the small path opposite, arriving at a narrow, steep section – take care. You’ll soon reach a fork.

(10) Turn left and follow the pleasant path, with a few technical sections, until you reach a road.

(11) Continue along this road, passing the Chapel of the Black Virgin on your right, and arrive at the bottom of Chemin de la Pinotte. Turn left onto Chemin de Maubec and follow this track, taking care at no. 3 as the road surface has subsided. At the end, turn left and you will soon reach Chemin de Cabessière (S/E).

Take care: in wet weather, the descents on the Bastille are technical and slippery.

It is best to set off early in the morning as the paths to the Bastille are quite busy with walkers.

There are often wild boar drives, but they are strictly supervised, so there is no risk; you just need to stay alert (watch out for hunters’ vehicles, dogs or game crossing the path).

Memorial to the Mountain Troops.