Mont Mounier from the Col de l'Espaul

Mont Mounier (2,817m) is one of the must-see peaks in the Alpes Maritimes: magnificent panoramas, 360° views from the summit, a beautiful ridge at the end, a fairly steady and easy 1,100m climb with views of the summit almost all the way.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,122 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,118 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,812 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,745 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de l'Espaul car park where marker 7 is located.

(S/E) Take the Colle track northwards. At the entrance to the hamlet, you will reach marker 8.

(1) Take the path towards "Mont Mounier" which rises to the left and winds through grassy plateaus inhabited by marmots. After an easy climb, you will reach marker 44.

(2) Continue on the left, still heading towards Mont Mounier. The trail crosses the rocky outcrops of Les Moulines.

(3) You will then enter the Mercantour Park. At Mont Démant, at marker 47, join theGR®5.

(4) Take it to the left and continue climbing to pass Baisse du Démant. Stay on theGR® to reach marker 48, passing under the Stèle de la Valette (2585m). If you're curious, you can admire the stele and the view on the way there or back. The short detour isn't essential but it's worth it.

(5) Leave theGR®5and continue northwards; the path leads to the Petit Mounier plateau. Here you can see the ruins of an observatory.

(6) Take the final stretch to the summit: this is the ridge connecting Petit Mounier to Mont Mounier.
It is not particularly difficult, but caution is advised when climbing it and you may need to use your hands. However, the aerial view may be daunting for those who are afraid of heights, who may prefer to wait for the rest of the team on Petit Mounier while enjoying the scenery.

(7) The return journey follows the same route back to the Col de l'Espaul car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,745 m - Car park at - Col de l’Espaul (1749m)
  2. 1 : km 1.18 - alt. 1,796 m - Marker 8. Near the - Aigue blanche (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 1,967 m - Marker 44
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 2,122 m - Barre des Passes du Cloutet - Mercantour
  5. 4 : km 5.26 - alt. 2,441 m - Marker 47 - Baisse du Démant
  6. 5 : km 6.51 - alt. 2,578 m - Marker 48 - Col de Crousette
  7. 6 : km 7.94 - alt. 2,714 m - Petit Mounier
  8. 7 : km 8.84 - alt. 2,811 m - Mont Mounier
  9. S/E : km 17.39 - alt. 1,745 m - Col de l'Espaul car park

Notes

There are no water sources along the route, except for the drinking trough in the Col de l'Espaul car park (S/E).
Important note: The ridge is more impressive than difficult, but some sensitive individuals may prefer to avoid it.

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

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
COMO2110
COMO2110
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

To reassure those who are anxious, except for people who are PARISH SPECIFIC to Brittany sensitive to vertigo, the "difficult" passage before the summit is no problem, even if you're not a novice (which is my case)
The Espaul car park is perfect for spending the night.

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User 5822294

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Quite a long hike if you're not used to it. Access to the cross over a few metres can be dangerous for those who are afraid of heights. Unique panorama of the Mercantour mountains in good weather. The cross is magnificent, well done to its creator.

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User 5822294

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
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 with little elevation gain and a 360° view from the summit of Cheiron. Done on 30 August, the descent via the ski slopes is easy, with no difficulty. The view must be exceptional in snowy weather.

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Gérald Carlin
Gérald Carlin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, the end is truly impressive. If you suffer from vertigo like me, concentrate on your footing.
The hike took 5 hours including breaks. By setting off early, you'll avoid the crowds that climb up there in summer

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Bapt83
Bapt83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2024
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 done in early November in the rain, fog, snow and cold, so if you do it at this time of year, make sure you are properly equipped. We had sub-zero temperatures
There was quite a lot of snow, which was really pretty
It's quite a challenging hike because there's quite a bit of climbing
For those who are afraid of heights, the ridge leading to the summit can be scary
Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves
Nothing to say about the Visorando description, everything is perfectly described and the hike is really well marked

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doume06
doume06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

As beautiful as ever, only the final ridge may be off-putting for those who suffer from vertigo. Watch out for patous (shepherd dogs) before reaching Petit Mounier in summer when the flocks cross over to the rocky outcrops. Round trip in 6½ hours including breaks. Set off early if possible...

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Remi_22
Remi_22

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent trail in both summer and winter. I did it in April and there was lots of snow. It was truly magnificent! It's definitely worth it!

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eric83
eric83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Ascent completed on 07/10/23.
Don't hesitate to set off very early; we started at 6.30am with headlamps from the Col de l'Espaul...
We reached the summit at 11 a.m., climbing at a "leisurely" pace (with several breaks), taking a detour to the Valette memorial and visiting the ruins of the observatory
The final ridge is "quite exposed"; it looks impressive from a distance, but once you're there, the route is very well marked. However, it is not recommended in strong winds or for those who are afraid of heights...
At the summit, there is a magnificent 360° view with the Viso, the Cime du Gélas, the Cima Argenterra, etc.
The Visorando description is entirely accurate in terms of what you find "on the ground"
A very beautiful hike that is well worth the effort given the elevation gain!

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Corona21
Corona21

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike.
Indeed, the final ridge may discourage some. Not difficult, but impressive.
It took us a little over 9 hours to complete the round trip, including picnic breaks and snacks.
We saw a few chamois and marmots.
Quite a few clouds passed by towards the end (you need to set off early), but still very pretty views.

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Bassem J.
Bassem J.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Highly recommended

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preg
preg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking is always beautiful, whatever the season.
The view from Petit Mounier on the ridge and summit is splendid.
I've already done it three times and I hope to do it again.

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Ectoplasma
Ectoplasma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
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, quite challenging because it's all uphill
Depending on the season and the weather, I recommend setting off very early. Personally, I left at 5am, but I should have left even earlier with my head torch
For me, the ridge between Petit Mounier and Mont Mounier is quite dangerous (even though I saw people running along it ), but the view is worth it. Not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo or those with children
If you still have the courage and strength, take a detour via the Col des Moulinés, which is 4 km further but easier to descend

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edeliah
edeliah

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2022
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. In this warm month of May, I can confirm that it was necessary to leave early (we left Espaul at 6:30 a.m.). We encountered a grouse, a snow partridge and numerous chamois...

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Picson06230
Picson06230

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2020
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. Don't forget to set off very early, as Mount Mounier is prone to fog and cloud. Setting off at 7.30am is often too late!

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pieroblanc
pieroblanc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The description is a bit alarmist, as the ridge does not present any danger, except perhaps in bad weather.

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