Arpille summit from Le Mas

de fr

This round trip hike, starting from the charming village of Le Mas, takes you to the summit of L'Arpille. L'Arpille is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Alpes-Maritimes on the Mercantour.

Details

n°10540192
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 763 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 760 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,676 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 921 m
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Photos

Le Mas from the path
View of the summit from the ridge
The summit of Arpille (1689m)
View of the ridge from the DFCI track

Description of the walk

Park at the top of the village, at the Notre-Dame du Mas church, and start the hike at marker "99a".

(S/E) Follow the signs for Col de Bane, l'Arpille towards the north.

(1) At marker "98", turn left towards Col de Bane, l'Arpille. You will soon enter a pine forest. Follow the winding path that climbs to Col de Bane, marker 112.

(2) Head towards l'Arpille (west) and follow the ridge of Serre de Bane to marker 111.

(3) Turn right onto the DFCI track.

(4) There are two options:
A. Follow the DFCI track to the summit of Arpille.
B. Follow the footpath climbing to the left (as shown on the map). Please note that this path is quite steep in places.

(5) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the DFCI track, which you will take on the way back, and continue to the summit of Arpille (1689m). Enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Alpes-Maritimes.

(6) It is advisable to return via the DFCI track, as the footpath fork is quite steep and the descent is more risky on the way back.

(5) There are two options:
A. Follow the DFCI track to marker "111" (recommended and marked route).
B. Follow the footpath opposite. Please note that this path is quite steep in places.

(3) At marker "111", take the path towards the Serre de Bane ridge and head for the Col de Bane.

(2: Follow the signs for "Le Mas", enjoy the descent through the woods and return to the Church of Notre-Dame du Mas) S/E::.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 925 m - Le Mas - Chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 951 m - Marker 98
  3. 2 : km 2.99 - alt. 1,380 m - Col de Bane (marker 112) - Col de Bane (1379m)
  4. 3 : km 4.63 - alt. 1,464 m - Marker 111 - DFCI track
  5. 4 : km 5.14 - alt. 1,505 m - Footpath junction / DFCI track
  6. 5 : km 5.43 - alt. 1,589 m - Fork in the return route
  7. 6 : km 6.01 - alt. 1,663 m - Arpille summit (1689m)
  8. 7 : km 8.58 - alt. 1,464 m - Marker 111 - DFCI track
  9. S/E : km 13.19 - alt. 925 m - Le Mas - Chapel

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
COCORICO06
COCORICO06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

VARIED AND VERY BEAUTIFUL

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galli06910
galli06910

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very hot weather, luckily there's a section through the forest. The climb is steady. I know the area well, having helped open up the forest track and build the DFCI lookout building in the early 1980s, so I was delighted to return to this place and enjoy the view of the hinterland and the Mercantour. It's a shame there aren't as many marmots as there used to be.

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Christophefaudot
Christophefaudot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike on 30 July. The climb is challenging, but once you reach the Col de Bane, the landscape is magnificent, a beautiful reward. The rest of the route to the summit of Arpille is very pleasant along the ridge and finally on the forest track.

Please note that for hikers accompanied by their four-legged friends, as was my case, there were Patou dogs guarding herds at the summit of Arpille.

On the way back, it's worth taking a quick tour of the village.
Thank you for this beautiful route.

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Alix06
Alix06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Also very beautiful in autumn. Choose a sunny day to fully enjoy the exceptional panorama! Thank you for the description.

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Perseepj
Perseepj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I did this route on Sunday, 25 July without seeing anyone and in pleasant temperatures.
It took four hours round trip with 30 minutes of breaks.
No difficult slopes (I stayed on the DFCI path at the end of the climb). You have to follow the path carefully on the ridge because it is narrow and rocky.
Do it for the view at the top and the 2/3 views of the village during the climb.
Thank you for suggesting this walk.

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