Loop hike in Auron

In addition to the usual summer activities such as mountain biking, the ski resort of Auron (1600 m) offers a network of hiking trails in the mountains above the village. The GR5 long distance trail runs through Auron.

It was exactly the GR5 we planned to use on the first part of our hike.

Because of a small golf court, there was a marked detour for the GR5 which we took near the Blainon chair lift. The chair lift was running, and many visitors took advantage of a free ride to reach higher terrain.

Chicken breast bruschetta with zucchini and pistou

Mont Lion from Tourette-du-Château

Mont Lion (1050 m) above the Esteron River Valley can be reached from Gilette or Tourette-du-Château (900 m). We have climbed to Mont Lion a few times from Gilette, and wanted to explore the shorter route from the perched village of Tourette-du-Château by the D27 road.

We walked past the church to signpost #45, descended to a wide track which led us straight south to a valley to signpost #50 at 721 m elevation (le Collet). Here you have the option to fork right and circle around Mont Lion, doing the Tour du Mont Lion as indicated in the signpost. It is a longer hike which we in fact did years ago in the summer heat.

We continued straight towards the mountain top, and started to ascend along its northern flank in a nice forest. We reached signpost #53 (950 m elev.) at a crossroads where the path from the east ascended from Gilette. This is also where you arrive if you hike around Mont Lion.

We headed south to the summit. The southern and southwestern flanks of Mount Lion are precipitous. The winter day was almost clear and we could admire the evergreen Esteron River Valley as well as the snow-capped Cheiron Mountain Range further away.

We returned back to Tourette-du-Château along the same trail. It was a short hike in distance but nevertheless included descents and ascents both ways, in other words gave us good interval training!

Distance: 6,1 km

Climb: 530 m

Duration: 3 h

Map: Vallée de l’Esteron Vallée du Loup 3642 ET

Smoked salmon and egg toast on creamy spinach

This easy recipe makes a delightful and quick lunch. Serve it with a mixed side salad for a balanced meal.

2 servings

2 whole wheat toasts

Olive oil

120 g smoked salmon, preferably wild Alaska salmon

2 soft-cooked organic eggs

2-3 handfuls of organic baby spinach leaves

50 ml chicken stock

2 tbsp. crème fraîche or cream

Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 200°C, roast.

Cook the eggs for 6 minutes. Peel and set aside.

Brush the toast on both sides with olive oil. Roast for 8- 10 minutes until golden brown.

Warm 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large casserole over medium heat. Add the spinach leaves. When the spinach is wilted after a couple of minutes, add the chicken stock and stir. Remove from heat, add the black pepper and crème fraîche or cream. With a handheld mixer, purée the spinach, then divide on deep plates.

Place the toast on spinach. Top with the smoked salmon and egg and grind over some black pepper.

Mont Viroulet

Mont Viroulet (1864 m), as shown in the image above, has a forested northern flank and a quasi-bare and grassy southern face. Located above the Bramafam Valley (Valdeblore), the mountain can be easily reached from several points in the valley. 

We chose to start from La Colmiane (1500 m) but the village of St-Dalmas Valdeblore (1290 m) is another popular option.

Peaks above Millefonts Lakes

St-Dalmas Valdeblore

At Col du Varaire

Argentera seen from trail above Col du Varaire

Pic de la Colmiane and Gélas

Near Col des Deux Caïres

Near Col de la Madeleine

Col de la Madeleine

Caïre Gros seen from Col de la Madeleine

View south from Col des deux Caïres

Mont Viroulet summit

Distance: 14 km

Climb: 680 m

Duration: 5 h

Map: “Moyenne Tinée” 3641 ET

Polenta, bell pepper, egg, and pistou salad

 Here in Nice, we are lucky to be able to buy ready-made polenta in nice slices. You only need to reheat them for about 10 minutes in the oven and they make a nice side to many recipes.

If you cannot find ready-made polenta slices, cook it according to the advice on the package, pour into a tray about 1 cm thick layer and let cool in the fridge. Then slice it and warm as above.

2 servings

4- 6 nice polenta slices

1 organic courgette

1 organic red bell pepper

2 tbsp. black pitted olives, pref. organic Kalamata olives

2 eggs

For the pistou:

A bunch of organic basil 

½ clove garlic, minced

Freshly ground black pepper

¼ tsp. salt

Olive oil

First make the pistou by crushing in a mortar with a pestle the basil leaves, garlic, salt, black pepper, and 2 tbsp. olive oil. Add more olive oil if needed to a nice consistence. Cover and keep refrigerated until needed.

Preheat the oven to 210° roast.

Cut the courgette into thin slices lengthwise and the bell pepper into nice pieces. Place 1 tbsp. olive oil in a plastic bag, add the bell pepper and shake. Pour in an oven tray and roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook the eggs for 6 minutes. Peel and set aside.

Place the courgette slices in the same plastic bag and shake. Add to the oven tray, as well as the polenta slices. Continue roasting for 10 minutes.

Divide the polenta on the plates and add the courgette, bell pepper, and black olives. Place 1 egg in the middle and slice it. Drizzle with pistou and serve lukewarm.

Another loop above Tourrettes-sur-Loup

Sometimes you can find new hiking itineraries even in well-explored areas by keeping your eyes open when hiking, and by studying maps. You can also find alternative routes on several good web sites, such as https://mercantour.info/ and https://www.visorando.com/. 

Besides being most charming, the village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup certainly ticks most boxes when it comes to hiking.

We have previously done a loop called Circuit de Pié Martin. In today’s option we used its descending trail for our ascent. 

Entrance to Tourrettes-sur-Loup

Start of trail to Pié Martin

Starting to ascend to Pié Martin

Start of path to Pié Martin

Chemin des Courmettes

Path from signpost#179

Holm oak wood after signpost#179

From the village centre, we first followed the Pié Martin trail from signpost#160, walked past chapelle St-Jean and several residences to signpost#181 where we forked right (The Pié Martin loop continued straight). The narrow street ended and we hit the ascending path at signpost#182.

We came to the panoramic plateau of Pié Martin, then hiked along a dirt track (Chemin des Courmettes) north. A delightful trail in the woods forked right from Chemin des Courmettes after 1,2 km (signpost #179). The trail ended at the paved Route du Caire next to a stable (signpost #174). We descended back to the village along it.

Distance: 8,6 km

Climb: 430 m

Duration: 3h 10 (active)  

Map: “Cannes-Grasse” Côte d’Azur TOP N°o 25 3643 ET

Cod and spinach gratin

This simple recipe is a great way to make fresh cod or other firm white fish more interesting.

2 servings

2 pieces of cod fillet, dos de cabillaud

Olive oil

½ medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 handfuls of baby spinach leaves, pref. organic

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tbsp. dry bread crumbs

Warm 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium- low heat in a large saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for about 10 minutes until soft but not browned. Add the baby spinach leaves and continue cooking until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and stir in the Dijon mustard and some black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 200° C, roast.

Lightly oil an oven- proof dish and place the cod in it. Cover with spinach mixture and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Drizzle 1 tsp. olive oil on top and transfer in the oven. Roast for 15- 20 minutes depending on the thickness of fish fillets.

Serve with new potatoes or blond lentils, roasted cherry tomatoes, and lemon wedges.

La Colmiane: Hike to Baus de la Frema

Baus de la Frema track