Cipières: Collet des Graus de Pons hike

Cipières Village square

 

The perched Village of Cipières (750 m) overlooking the Loup River Valley is a crossroads of several hiking trails. Both the GR4 and GR51 long distance trails run through the village.

We wanted to explore the GR51 south of the village to a hill named Collet des Graus de Pons. This short out and back hike is included in the Guide Randoxygène Moyen Pays, marked as easy.

Starting from Cipières
Starting from Cipières
Cipières
Cipières
Meadow south of Cipières
Meadow south of Cipières
GR51 south of Cipières
GR51 south of Cipières

We started from the village square (Signpost #26) , and headed south along the GR51 and GR4. We passed several properties and soon reached an intersection (Signpost #160) where the two GR trails separated. We took the left-hand GR51 path. We climbed gradually, mostly in an evergreen forest, crossing three small valleys named Pesses, Estrugue and  Pourcelles, respectively. 


We reached signpost #161 on Collet des Graus de Pons (1000 m). To view an old 3 m high borie, a stone hut, we had to descend a bit (about 50 m, signposted).


On both sides of the trail there were signs of ancient agricultural and pastoral activity here and there. It was an easy walk along beautiful and good trails.  However, the terrain is karstic and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.


GR51 in forest near Cipières
GR51 in forest near Cipières
Nearing Collet des Graus de Pons
Nearing Collet des Graus de Pons
Cheiron massif seen from GR51
Cheiron massif seen from GR51
Collet des Graus de Pons
Collet des Graus de Pons
Large stone hut
Large stone hut

Climb: 300 m
Duration: 3 h
Distance: 7,7 km
Map: 3642 ET Vallée de l’Estéron

Collet des Graus de Pons hike track



Signpost#26 Cipières
Signpost#26 Cipières

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