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| Gourdon and Pic de Courmettes |
We decided to ascend from Bar-sur-Loup to Gourdon via Bois de Gourdon and descend along Chemin du Paradis.
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| Bar-sur-Loup mairie |
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| Chemin de St-Michel |
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| GR51 west of Bar-sur-Loup |
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| Towards Bois de Gourdon |
We parked by the D2210 road below Bar-sur-Loup (≈300 m) and climbed to the village square. From there, we headed southwest along Avenue General de Gaulle then Chemin de Saint-Michel. At signpost #21 in front of a small chapel, we forked right and started to climb along Chemin de Bouscarle, passing the last residences. We temporarily merged with the GR51 and followed it to signpost #23. There we forked right, climbed along a forest path to the D3 road and crossed it. We walked past a small parking and signpost #17, and continued along a dirt track 250 m, where signpost #16 guided us to a forest path. We were in Bois de Gourdon which mostly consisted of oak trees.
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| Bois de Gourdon |
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| Haut Montet seen from trail |
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| GR51 under Gourdon |
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| Chemin du Paradis below Gourdon |
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| Chemin du Paradis GR51 |
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| GR51 above signpost#5 |
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| Missing bridge over Riou de Gourdon |
We ascended a bit more, now straight north to signpost #15, and merged with the same dirt track. At about 790 m, this marked the highest point of the hike. From here, the itinerary followed the dirt track; we descended along it to signpost #14 where we forked right (east) to a paved road (Chemin du Naouq), and walked to Gourdon (740 m), already visible in front of us.
It was a sunny and warm autumn day, and restaurants and shops in the village seemed busy. After a brief stop, we headed back to Bar-sur-Loup. We descended steeply along the familiar Chemin du Paradis trail, also GR51. At signpost #4, we forked right, still following the GR51 trail. The old narrow iron footbridge over Riou du Gourdon had disappeared, and a new one was under construction. Fortunately, the stream bed was dry and could be crossed.
At signpost #18 we left the GR51, forked left and descended back to Bar-sur-Loup.
It turned out to be a great loop mostly along good trails, dirt tracks and paved roads. The rocky trail down from Gourdon always requires surefootedness and some gymnastics was needed to cross the bridgeless stream bed.
Climb: 540 m (about 30 m less if you start from the main square)
Map: 3643 ET Cannes Grasse Côte d’Azur
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| Bar-sur-Loup Gourdon loop |
We have previously hiked to Colle de Rougiès (1334 m) by crossing the Caussols Plateau from Les Claps. On a clear day, the ridge offers great hiking, with good trails and super views. We now wanted to explore another itinerary starting from Gourdon.
We drove to Gourdon, turned left at the village entrance taking D12 road which we followed 1.8 km as far as to a parking (840 m elev.) on the right-hand side of the road. From the parking (signpost #12), it took us less than 30 min. to reach the western Col de Cavillore (1030 m elev.). We headed north on Plateau de Cavillore and soon merged with the GR51 trail (signpost #11). We followed the GR51 as far as to the next crossroads at signpost #163 where we forked left.
We ascended along the wide eastern slope of the ridge to signpost #46. This is where we ascended to from the Caussols Plateau on our previous hike. We continued along the ridge, still climbing a bit more. The familiar cairn on top of Colle de Rougiès became visible. Fortunately, the winter day remained clear, and the scenery was super!
We returned along the same trail. There are several avens, or pit/sink holes in this limestone terrain, one just beside the path. Another reason to stay on the trail!
Starting the hike from the Village of Gourdon would take about 40-45 min more each way and include about 100 m more climbing.
Duration: 4 h
Climb: 530 m
Distance: 12 km
Map: Cannes Grasse Côte d’Azur 3643 ET
Sometimes an easy walk in fresh and clean air is all you want. This nature walk above the hilltop village of Gourdon (758 m) offers magnificent views on a clear day while the vertical climb is just 250 m.
The walk starts from the parking by Chemin des Claps at 1112 m altitude. From the roundabout at the entrance of Gourdon, take the RD12 road to Caussols. Continue about 5.5 km, then turn left and follow chemin des Claps about one km. From Nice, the driving time is about an hour. You’ll see a closed gate and a stone wall, and a narrow paved road behind it leading to the summit of Haut Montet (1335 m). The civil aviation radar dome on the top is clearly visible. In fact, the dome can be seen from many places on the coast. This is also the highest point of the walk.
Immediately left of the closed gate there’s an opening in the wall for walkers. Follow the “Circuit du Haut Montet 2h30” signposts. The trail (yellow marks) first takes you to a ridge frequently used by paragliders. The trail ascends gently along the ridge before turning right joining the paved road up to the summit. It is an easy trail but caution should be exercised in poor visibility, and of course in icy and wintery conditions.
We did the walk on a clear albeit a bit hazy day. When we reached the summit, the Mercantour peaks were actually better visible than the coast.
Descend back to the starting point along the paved road.
Duration: 2h30
Map: IGN Cannes-Grasse TOP 25 no 3643 ET
Map image courtesy of Google Maps
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