Tour of Mont Brussière via the hamlet of Ars

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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.

Details

n°2299395
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 380 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 386 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,937 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,622 m
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Photos

Ars hamlet
Crête d'Ars
Path through the woods

Description of the walk

Departure from the Col de la Couillole car park.

Yellow markings.

(S/E) From the car park, on the opposite side to the inn, go behind the small wall and head towards "Col des Moulines". The stone path is open at the start and then goes into the woods. Go around Le Content on the right.

(1) Head towards signpost 102.

(2) At the Col de la Moulines sign, enter a beautiful coniferous forest.

(3) At the edge of the woods, with a beautiful view of the mountains, follow the path to the right.

(4) Start of the Crête d'Ars. Take care to stay in the middle of the path.

(5) At the end of the Crête d'Ars, turn left at marker 104.

There are no markers on this path.

(6) The Cabane d'Ars is used by shepherds in summer. Then take a wide path that descends to the left, heading south.

Yellow markings.

(7) At the end of the path, turn left towards the "hamlet of Ars". The path passes between the houses. In summer, many flowering thistles are covered with butterflies. Follow the summer mountain pastures.

(8) At the end of the Conchat valley, cross a stream that is dry in summer and follow the yellow-marked path that heads south at the start. Pass Col Saint-Pierre (altitude 1712 m). Cross the D30 road, then follow it to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,675 m - Col de la Couillole
  2. 1 : km 1.18 - alt. 1,800 m - Marker 102
  3. 2 : km 1.39 - alt. 1,811 m - Col des Moulines sign
  4. 3 : km 2.11 - alt. 1,893 m - Marker 102a towards Col des Moulines
  5. 4 : km 2.78 - alt. 1,917 m - Start of the Crête d'Ars
  6. 5 : km 3.13 - alt. 1,937 m - Turn left at marker 104.
  7. 6 : km 3.85 - alt. 1,838 m - Ars hut
  8. 7 : km 5.07 - alt. 1,665 m - Fork to the left
  9. 8 : km 5.72 - alt. 1,628 m - Crossing the dry stream
  10. S/E : km 7.49 - alt. 1,675 m - Col de la Couillole

Notes

Hiking boots and walking sticks are essential. There are no water sources on the route, so remember to bring water with you.

Worth a visit

Take in the magnificent natural surroundings. We were lucky enough to see a golden eagle hovering just ten metres above our heads.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
danielaime06
danielaime06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Leaving early in the middle of summer, we didn't meet anyone during the trip.
This route is very interesting because the landscapes and terrain are varied and beautiful.
Much of the route is not shaded, so I recommend setting off early if it is hot.
Thanks to the author

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levieuxrandonneur
levieuxrandonneur

Sunday, 14 April 2024: Initially planned for the Var region (Pic de Castel Diaou), but abandoned due to the forecast of 27°C.

The tour of Mont Brussière seemed appropriate, but from the start there were numerous patches of soft snow. Upon reaching marker 102, the decision was made not to continue because the trail on the north slope was invisible, covered with snow.
Ascent of Mont Brussière via the snow-free south face. The slope is steep but easy. There are a few cairns and yellow markings.
At the summit, there was a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks: Haut Var, Mounie, Haute Tinée, Mercantour, etc.
The Crête d'Ars is completely snow-covered, which confirms the decision not to continue with the original route.
Return to marker 102 via the same route as on the way up, then zigzagging between the snowfields towards Falcon and back via the track.
Traffic: at the summit, an entire family; on the way back to marker 102, one person was starting the ascent of Mont Brussière; a few people on the return trail. Otherwise, we were accompanied by two sheepdogs for the entire journey.
Total: + - 356 metres and a distance of 7.5 km.
A walk to be repeated in the autumn with the red larch trees.

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Lolubuss
Lolubuss

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Absolutely superb and easy going, a gentle slope through varied landscapes, each one more beautiful than the last.

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk with no difficulty.

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Pcours
Pcours

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk with beautiful views.

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mymyfred
mymyfred

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Halfway through, we added the round trip to Col des Moulines for a total of 12.86 km and 636 m of elevation gain.

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preg
preg
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Alternating landscapes
No difficulty
Thank you for the description

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ninimouans
ninimouans
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike yesterday, Sunday 22 May 2022. It was perfect for getting back into shape. Not too difficult, not crowded. Varied landscapes and lots of flowers, especially pansies. However, I think the elevation gain is slightly underestimated: I recorded 463 metres on my phone. Thank you very much for this route.

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OUTIBIA
OUTIBIA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

SUPER VARIED AND EASY ROUTE

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pop
pop

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike with varied landscapes, passing through hamlets and encountering cows at this time of year; takes 3 hours rather than 4 as indicated.

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