Tour of Mont Ragias from Villars-sur-Var

Park in the village car park. The hike starts at marker 58 next to the town hall.

(S/E) Follow the GR®510 signposts, taking the path to the right of the town hall. At the top of the steps, first turn right then left, and repeat this twice to gain height and pass in front of the Sainte-Brigitte Chapel.

(1) Continue on to marker 59.

(2) Leave the GR® and take the path on the right marked in yellow. This lovely PR® trail will take you up the Espignole valley, offering varied scenery, woodland with a balcony-style section and a clear panoramic view.

(3) Continue straight on to marker 62, as the climb to the Chapelle Saint-Jean will be on the way back. Along the way, note the traces of the various water catchments originating from the spring in the hamlet of Sarzit.

(4) Cross the Espignole via the Pont du Champ de Boeuf to continue up the valley.

(5) At marker 75, join a DFCI track and follow it to the left. This will allow you to complete the climb more comfortably and reach the Sainte-Madeleine Chapel (unfortunately in a sorry state) and enjoy an unobstructed view, from the promontory at marker 77, of the village of Thiéry, and the peaks of Aiglo and Fourneuby in the Esteron.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the GR®510 to begin the return journey. Then head left to start the long descent along this western slope, which is very stony.

(7) After about 3.5 km, following a bend, take the unmarked path on the left which leads to the Chapelle Saint-Jean du Désert.

(8) From the viewpoint by the cross, you can admire Mont Ragias on one side and enjoy a stunning view of Villars and the Var valley on the other. Then return to the chapel.

(8) Head straight ahead, then go down the path on the left to rejoin the GR® at marker 61.

(9) Turn left and follow the path to the junction you passed on the way out.

(2) Continue straight ahead and return to the car park via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

There are no water points along the route.

Good walking shoes and walking poles are strongly recommended, particularly for the descent.

Along the way, discover the three chapels: St Brigid, St Madeleine and St John of the Desert

In the village of Villars-sur-Var, take a look at the mill’s wash house and the communal oven.

At the foot of the village lies the Clos St-Joseph vineyard, the only vineyard classified as AOC Côtes de Provence des Alpes Maritimes.