Calern plateau, discovery of huts and dry stone enclosures

The Calern plateau above Caussols is extraordinary for its botanical diversity, karstic relief, sinkholes, karstic caves and collapses. This hike reveals an agricultural heritage of cleared sinkholes, dry stone enclosures and huts, and piles of stones that decorate the landscape. In May, the dew adds a touch of magic to the wild orchids, ball thyme and budding lavender.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 73 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 75 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,268 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,204 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park of the CERGA Côte d'Azur Observatory.

(S/E) Opposite the observatory, turn left, follow the path northwards and cross the road leading to the observatory. Head towards a ruined hut and a small building resembling an oratory. Continue to a beautiful sinkhole and a hut on its western side.

(1) After that, there is no path, so keep heading north-northeast, following the sinkholes and huts. Cross theGR®4(shown in purple on the map). A few hundred metres further on, cross a track. Then turn left (west) then right (north) and pass the Poumeires and karstic cave sheepfolds, then along low walls used for cultivation. Climb north to a magnificent enclosure with a dry stone hut, low walls and a few wild cherry trees.

(2) Turn west and climb the ridge of Colline de Vaumeillane to the cairn at the summit. Descend westwards through a few scattered pine trees. Cross another north-south track and reach a beautiful hut near an enclosure.

(3). You will come to another hut 200 metres to the west and a ruined enclosure.

(4) Descend southwards: there is another hut above a sinkhole; they are everywhere...
Head southeast to the Cabane de la Baume, built above a karst collapse.

(5) Heading east-southeast, about 60 metres away, you will see another deep collapse with two large trees emerging from it. A few dozen metres to the northeast, you will see a sinkhole 30 to 40 metres deep (elevation 1225).

Head south-southeast to find an enclosure and a hut 250 metres away.

(6). Cross theGR®4again. Continue 50 metres further in the same direction to reach the last hut above the sinkhole.

(7) Join the black trail leading to the observatory and retrace your steps back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,267 m - CER Côte d'Azur Observatory car park
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 1,255 m - Cabin and enclosure
  3. 2 : km 2.03 - alt. 1,212 m - Cabin and enclosure
  4. 3 : km 3.16 - alt. 1,254 m - Cabin and enclosure
  5. 4 : km 3.79 - alt. 1,255 m - Cabin and enclosure
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 1,262 m - Cabane de la Baume
  7. 6 : km 5.42 - alt. 1,249 m - Cabin and enclosure
  8. 7 : km 5.64 - alt. 1,251 m - Cabin and enclosure
  9. S/E : km 6.53 - alt. 1,267 m - CER Côte d'Azur Observatory car park

Notes

Little elevation gain. No water source. This route can be shortened or lengthened depending on the colours and the time of year.
Although there are no clearly marked paths in some places, it is difficult to get lost as the CERGA telescope site is always in view. However, a 1:25,000 map and a compass are necessary.

Worth a visit

Visit sheepfolds, karstic caves, caves or grottos, dry stone huts and enclosures, and dolines throughout the hike.
At the cairn at the top of Vaumeillane hill, there is a 360° view: Le Cheiron to the north, Mont Mounier behind in the distance, Le Thiey to the west, Le Ferrer and Haut Montet to the south, the sea on the horizon, Pic des Courmettes, further away Mont Agel to the east, and Mercantour to the east-northeast.
Cabane de la Baume: it is possible to descend into this gigantic karst collapse via the northernmost passage (the only access point). Twenty metres below is a cave, or rather a rock shelter a few metres deep.
In rainy weather or afterwards, it is too dangerous. So use the welcoming hut.

 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

4.1 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 1776614

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you

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Flow06
Flow06

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in November on a beautiful sunny day. I should mention that I was accompanied by my children, aged 8 and 5.

This hike offers magnificent scenery and many points of interest, but it should be noted that the route is not marked. It is therefore essential to follow a GPS throughout the route, so remember to charge your battery! Some passages can be complicated, especially if you are accompanied by children, particularly in the northern part of the mountains. In addition, there may be guard dogs present, which requires extra vigilance.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing, as most of the route is off the beaten track. In my opinion, the route is a little complex to follow, but the beauty of the landscapes makes it well worth the effort!

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Bja
Bja

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's difficult to find all the huts mentioned, but we saw others that weren't indicated. At marker 7, there are two nearby enclosures, but we couldn't find the huts.
Wear trousers for this hike to avoid scratches.
GPS is essential.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

A great reward for a discovery hike

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Heidibelle
Heidibelle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The description is good overall, there are many interesting things to discover. The route is surprising, completely straight when it is not possible to go straight. I did not find the reindeer karstic cave. Some huts seemed far apart but were actually close together. This plateau is desert-like, immense, and very flowery at this time of year. It's best to use a GPS and compass for peace of mind, as clouds roll in very quickly and you can't see anything, leaving you alone in the world. I didn't meet anyone on the route. I then modified the hike to reach the summit of Calern, which offers a beautiful view of the valley. Indeed, there were no markings, as specified, hence the importance of GPS.

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stchauvin
stchauvin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting family trail to do with pre-teens who enjoy guessing the route with GPS and running around the sinkholes.
It's a great place to enjoy a picnic in the winter sun in complete silence.

And even without children, it's worth doing just to get lost for a while

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Papiluc06
Papiluc06

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is difficult to follow as it is not marked. We did everything using GPS and a compass!
Otherwise, there are no difficulties as there is very little elevation gain. The interesting features are the remains of huts, haystacks, etc.
And the route is much longer than advertised.

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guylafouine
guylafouine

Thank you for your appreciation, and congratulations, because I never imagined that 3 December would bring you to this charming Calern plateau in winter.
You did it!

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glaciers
glaciers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed by a couple in their seventies.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
A GPS is essential for following the route properly.
So many discoveries along the way: very good description, we admired all the sights described.
The (careful) descent into the karstic cave is a bonus.
The weather is unpredictable on the plateau at this time of year.
We set off in bright sunshine and returned in fog.
The time indicated should be increased for "contemplative" hikers and photographers.
Many thanks to the author for sharing.

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guylafouine
guylafouine

Sorry, where are you? I'm coming to pick you up!

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090760
090760

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I got lost

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guylafouine
guylafouine

Hello, I think you enjoyed your hike on the Calern plateau, because you continued for about ten kilometres!
I have catalogued all the dry stone huts on the plateau, almost all the karstic caves, and some amazing dolines.
One of them, which is very deep, has a cave on its south-western side with a low wall at the entrance: a timeless place.
The problem is that there are often sheepdogs in the area, near the Poumeires sheepfold

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ponpone
ponpone

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

hello, we went on a hike in very windy conditions but enjoyed beautiful views of the mountains and coastline from the summit of Calern. There are lots of drystone shelters and dry stone enclosures, but you have to leave the trail to find more. There are also some karstic caves. We did a 15 km loop.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

The most beautiful moment, plus the flocks of sheep have returned, and the sheepdogs with them.

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faby119
faby119
• Edited:

Magnificent under 10 cm of snow

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