Pierlas walks

A very fine walk in the middle country of the Alpes Maritimes, alternating between open views and coniferous forests. The 360° panorama from the Lauvet d'Ilonse is well worth the diversions: you can see the whole of the Mercantour and the main peaks of the mid-country.

The Lauvet d’Ilonse walk is very accessible. Mostly following the ridge line, it offers views of many surrounding peaks: the Mounier to the north-west and numerous Mercantour peaks on the border with Italy.

A beautiful circular hike starting from the village of Lieuche, taking you to the summit of Brec d'Ilonse, which offers a beautiful view of the Mercantour massif and the village of the same name. The hike passes through the beautiful village of Thiéry, which is well worth a visit. The route is long and requires a good level of fitness, although it does not present any technical difficulties.

A constant play of colours: the reddish hue of the Cians accompanies us all day long on a physically demanding route that ultimately rewards us with a magical and magnificent 360° view.

A magnificent round-trip hike offering views overlooking the Gorges du Cians and their red schist cliffs. Stunning views throughout the route. Plenty of flowers, including a few martagon lilies in early June. The final section of the route is off-trail but presents no difficulty in finding your way by sight.

A very lovely walk, sometimes through woodland, sometimes across alpine pastures, offering a stunning 360° panorama from the summit of the Tête de Pommier.

This hike, starting from the Gorges du Cians road, takes you up Les Cluots, a mountain located in a steppe area above the red pelite of the Cians. Set back from the Mercantour massif, the summit offers a superb 360° panorama of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Un joli circuit dans un domaine forestier très agréable aux essences de pins diverses. La montée jusqu'à la Villa Souberre, en pente douce, permet d'admirer les alpages.

The view from Mont Fracha (1,776 m) is exceptional, but it’s hard-earned as the off-trail route along the Gardettes ridge is steep. The Brec d’Illonse rounds off the exceptional panoramic views on this hike.

A very beautiful and short walk, following a centuries-old path, as evidenced by these two ancient bridges. The bridge and the unmarked wooded path are a lovely discovery. Beautiful views of the village of Thiéry before crossing it.

A unique walk through the landscape of the Gorges du Cians. The Cians, a small alpine torrent that is sometimes dry and sometimes raging during the snowmelt, flows into the Var upstream of Touët-sur-Var after carving out a 23-kilometre, acrobatic course, winding its way through the red rock via deep, narrow gorges. Although I have classified this walk as difficult, this is only due to its distance and the sections exposed to the wind and sun (depending on the season). Nevertheless, apart from a few short sections that may prove tricky, it presents no technical difficulties.

A beautiful circular wooded path starting from the village of Thiéry, allowing you to admire the Crête des Charbonnières, then walk along it on the way back. The route is a little long (6 hours including breaks) but does not present any technical difficulties. At the end of the hike, we recommend visiting the village.

A wild and varied route around Mont Fracha, revealing forests, valleys and panoramic ridges. A changing landscape on this route marked by traces of ancient human activity, between wooded areas, steep terrain and open views over the landscapes of the Cians and the Tinée.

Starting from the charming village of Roubion – well worth a visit for its painted doors – you’ll head up towards Les Buisses via the Chapel of Saint-Sébastien (with its remarkable frescoes). After climbing Le Puy, you’ll descend through the forest to the Vallon de Saint-Sébastion, passing through some impressive and surprising natural arches. Finally, a final climb will offer you another view of the village.

This is a magnificent hike that starts in the picturesque medieval village of Roubion, with part of the trail already described on Visorando. Partly shaded by the forest, it will guide you through the Bois du Falcon and the meadows to the foot of Mont Buissière, at the Col de la Couillole, then to the Pin Pourri, where you can admire the Tête de Giarons and its vast meadows. The return journey will take you through the charming hamlet of Villars.

A short hike at the foot of the Falcon rock faces, in a varied landscape: climb through a sparse forest of spruce and Scots pine, enjoy beautiful views of the valley from the Falcon ridge, then descend among the sheepfolds and hamlets of Falcon and Les Vallons. This hike is featured in the short guidebook "Rando Passion" published by the Roubion tourist office. The elevation gain is lower than that indicated by Visorando, at around 400 metres.

A very beautiful walk/hike that begins with a crossing of the beautiful Couillole valley. The Ibac de Frache is a magnificent coniferous forest. The descent through the mountain pasture areas from Pin Pourri is still used for transhumance.

A very pleasant mule track, built by the people of Ilonzo, used for centuries to link the hamlets of Irougne and Le Pous, providing access to farmland and pastures. The path leading to the Col de Fourches is wide but very steep.

A very pretty circular route in the Tinée Valley featuring an abandoned hamlet, magnificent climbs through the woods and breathtaking views of several villages in the area.

This mountain hike is accessible to people who are prone to vertigo. As you walk along the Ars ridge, you will have a 360° view of Mont Brussière and the summit of Le Content. In summer, you may be lucky enough to see a golden eagle and a rich variety of mountain flora, with many different butterflies fluttering overhead. You may also encounter cows, sheep and goats, but please take care not to disturb them.

Étape de la traversée des Alpes avec un départ de Roure jusqu'à Saint Dalmas de Valdeblore. Randonnée allant de la vallée de la Tinée à l'arrière pays niçois.

This route begins in woodland where wild strawberries grow, followed by an unusual, little-used canal, before joining the GR®5. The beautiful village of Roure is well worth a visit: original wash house, fountains, a wealth of renowned local heritage.

This hike is mainly through forest and offers beautiful views of the Alps. The Clamia ridge is a rocky outcrop facing the village of Rimplas, which overlooks the Tinée valley.

A magnificent hike with breathtaking views, particularly over the Tinée valley; not very long and easy. Allow between 3 and 3½ hours to complete this sublime route, which is perfectly suited to average but fit walkers. Furthermore, there are no navigation difficulties on this well-marked route. In summer, it is best to walk this route in a clockwise direction.

Starting from the hamlet of Les Launes, this circular hike takes you to Lac de Beuil, nestled in a sinkhole at the foot of Tête de l'Ubac, before climbing to Tête du Garnier for a magnificent panorama over the entire Beuil-Valberg area, as far as Mont Mounier and Mercantour in the distance.

A beautiful hike that will allow you to discover a lovely forest and a superb 360° panorama from the Cime de Raton. The ridge line that follows offers a succession of sweeping views with picture-postcard scenery. The route is not very busy.

A superb hike, though very demanding. The route, which crosses a mountain zone as far as the Rimplas dairy, quickly becomes alpine from the ascent to the Pas de Rimplas. At the summit of Mont Giraud, your efforts will soon be forgotten and you will be rewarded with the magnificent panorama stretching from the Queyras and Mont Viso in the north to the Argentera and the Mercantour in the east.

A beautiful hike to discover Valdeblore and the pretty village of La Bolline. This route offers extensive views of La Bolline and La Roche, as well as the Fort de Rimplas.

From the Éguilles car park, at the end of the road of the same name, you will descend the Vallon de Challandre and then climb back up to the Plateau Saint-Jean with some beautiful views of the Gorges du Cians and the Tête de Rigaud towering above them. After a short detour to the Chapelle Saint-Jean chapel, you will cross the plateau with Mont Mounier in your sights.

The hike through the Fracha Forest, starting from the village of Roure, follows a well-marked trail that gradually winds its way up through the larch trees. The route, which is not particularly difficult, offers a moderate elevation gain and regular passages through the undergrowth, ideal for warming up. The viewpoints over the valley allow you to appreciate the Cime de Roubion and the neighbouring ridges, before returning via a comfortable and perfectly marked circular route.

A challenging hike. Ascent through the superb larch forest of La Fracha. Most of the route is through forest, except for the climb to Autcellier and Pervoux.

A walk through summer pastures, partly off the beaten track.

Mont Falourde is situated at the junction of the Var and Tinée valleys, and is well worth the detour in its own right. This hike follows some beautiful high-altitude trails, with numerous steep sections offering magnificent panoramic views. The final stretch of the trail runs at the foot of cliffs.

A lovely autumn hike starting from the medieval hilltop village of Bairols in the middle of the Tinée valley. The climb up to the Col de l'Espalla offers splendid views of the Tinée valley before reaching the lake plateau. The return trip along the chestnut tree trail is also very pleasant and, at this time of year, you can pick up a few chestnuts to roast in a pan in the evening.

A lovely, challenging hike starting at the confluence of the Var and Cians rivers, leading up to the Plateau de Dina whilst taking in four chapels along the way. Beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

An excellent area to prepare for the alpine summer season. Areal pleasure to explore this wooded massif, home to a rich variety of species and one of the most beautiful forests in the Alpes-Maritimes department. This paved slanting street, these terraced walls and these ruins bear witness to an ancient agricultural tradition.

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.

Nestled at the heart of rugged, untamed nature lies Mont Demant. Every step on its rocky slopes is a battle against gravity, a struggle against fatigue, but also a communion with a breathtaking landscape. As you climb, the view opens out onto deep valleys and distant peaks, silent witnesses to the courage required. Once you reach the summit of Mont Demant, silence reigns, broken only by the wind caressing the rocks. It is a moment suspended in time, where personal achievement blends with the immensity of the world. Conquering Mont Demant is not just about climbing a mountain; it is about pushing your own limits and experiencing the very essence of adventure.

A short, very easy trail, ideal for a family walk, in an area frequented by marmots.

A walk starting from Valberg that crosses the resort’s ski area and a wilder section towards the end. From the top of these peaks, a remarkably colourful landscape unfolds below, featuring the characteristic red rocks of the Cians and Daluis. You can also admire the 360° views of the peaks (Mont Saint-Honorat on one side, Le Mounier and the Cime Nègre above Valberg on the other, etc.)

Starting from the Valberg Golf Club car park, a short (1h40) but intense trail marked as a Green Trail. Lac de Beuil invites you to take a break; you’ll enjoy the return via the Sentier Yoga on the balcony path.

Ideal for learning to ride a mountain bike, this ride, high above the resort, takes you to the hamlet of La Colle, the starting point for the walk to the marmot site, home to the Alps’ iconic animals. The route begins on a tarmac road and continues along a dirt track.

A short round-trip walk from the centre of Valberg to the summit of Picougul, offering a beautiful panoramic view of the resort, Mont Mounier and Les Cluots.

The walk takes place largely through woodland. Personally, I prefer to do it in the morning in spring, as it isn’t too hot yet.

A lovely walk for those who enjoy wooded areas in a very quiet spot. Beautiful views of the Pointe de Chavanette and the Cime des Quatre Cantons. A very pleasant return journey along the banks of the Var.

The first part of this hike, which is wooded and quite strenuous, will leave you breathless at the summit of Montagne de Mairola. After a break to take in the exceptional 360° view, exploring Auvare – the smallest commune in the department – with its old stone buildings, its wash house and its house facades in colours faded by the sun, will be a real treat for heritage enthusiasts.

Exploring the Vallon and Montagne de Mairola shows that these vast spaces have been shaped by humans over the centuries: the south-facing cereal fields of Puget-Rostang, state forests reforested to combat erosion, the Dina plateau with its fields cleared of stones with patience, scattered farms now used only as shelters during the hunting season (Fournès, Villars, la Combe, Mairola)...

This beautiful hike will allow you to explore both sides of Mont Ragias, the highest peak in the Middle Var at 1,174 metres. The eastern slope, which alternates between terraced paths and forest, climbs up the Espignole valley. The other slope, more rocky, overlooks the Var valley, offering beautiful panoramic views. It is only at the Chapelle Saint-Jean du Désert, almost at the end of the route, that you can see Mont Ragias.

A very beautiful hike starting from the Tinée Valley to discover the lost hamlet of Mollières. It is a bit long but has a very gradual climb, making it easily accessible. Temporary ban in 2023, see notices.

A beautiful, challenging hike between the Var and Tinée rivers.

This two-day hike takes you up to Mont Mounier, a major and isolated peak in the Mercantour, via a circular route. After a fairly short first stage, an early morning ascent to the summit will allow you to enjoy clearer weather and perhaps spot a few chamois and marmots. The descent to the Pont d’Aygue Blanche will be very long (a 1,800-metre descent). Don’t hesitate to set off the day before from the Altifsurface to balance out the route.

This hike is the first stage of a two-day circular route leading to the ascent of Mont Mounier. Starting from the Pont d’Aygue Blanche near Péone, you’ll climb gradually towards the small plateau of the Montagne de l’Estrop, where you can camp in sheltered conditions. A stage through deciduous woodland and mountain pastures at the foot of the rocky ridge of the Montagne de l’Alp.

A pleasant hike with no major difficulties, featuring a superb ridge walk and, as a reward, a visit to Fort Charvet. Built between 1883 and 1890, this fort occupies a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Tinée and Var rivers.

A very pleasant hike criss-crossing the sunny and shady sides of this mountainous area, offering two contrasting types of vegetation and views of the Alps that will have you stopping regularly to take in the scenery.