Cheiron top

Heritage and history

Peak

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20 km of bird’s flight separate the summit (1,778 m) from the Mediterranean. This exceptional situation offers a sumptuous panorama!

This limestone mountain with jagged ridges divides the basins of the Esteron and the Wolf. Its imposing south face rises in the background from the Gorges du Loup. Its north face shelters the ski resort of Geôlières-les-Neiges: the most Maritime of the Alps!

6 points of interest

Patrimony and history
Gréolières
Seeming to defy the imposing mountains of the Cheiron massif, this pretty village, built on a small plateau halfway up the escarpment, dominates the entire the Wolf valley. During its history, the Gréolières economy was mainly linked to agricultural activities. Now beekeepers and farmers are developing quality products.
Elevage et pastoralisme
Saint-Etienne Chapel
Cited for the first time in 1312, this chapel is built to serve the parish church at the Hautes Gréolières castrum. The apse in cul-de-four is built from the creation of the castrum, but the nave is only raised at the end of the 13th century; it has four vaulted spans in broken cradle.
Patrimony and history
The Hautes Gréolières castle
This castle built around 1230 under the order of the Count of Provence, is in the form of a polygonal enclosure pierced with loopholes, which is kept on three sides and which closes a rock platform. During the civil wars that marked this region, the castle was besieged. After this period, the enclosure is partially reinforced by false pitch. A new access ramp is located to the south-east.
Panorama
The Barri Cross
The Barri Cross marks the first step of this route. Located at an altitude of 1350 m, it overlooks the Gréolières village, a first point of view to appreciate a moment and take the time to contemplate the Wolf valley and the beautiful village of Cipières in the distance.
Fauna
Griffon vulture
The Griffon Vulture is one of the largest raptors in France that can reach nearly 3 m wingspan for a weight of 6 to 7 kg. Like all scavengers, vultures recycle corpses and thus participate in the great life cycle. If luck is with you, you will be able to see it at Cheiron's summit.
Peak
The top !
The Cheiron summit offers an exceptional panorama. To the south we discover the Côte d'Azur from Cap Camarat (Saint-Tropez) to Mont Agel (Monaco) passing the Lérins Islands. In the north, the peaks bordering the Italian border are identified from Menton to Haute Tinée. With a little luck, we can see the mountains of Corsica off the Mediterranean..

Description

From the Faisse car park, take the D2 road to reach the marker 30 marking the start of the trail.
1- Take the GR®4 to an intersection marked by the marker 193.
2- Turn left, cross the bars of Cheiron and reach the beacon 194.
3- Engage full east in this open landscape and follow the crests of Cheiron. When the ski lifts appear, the peak of Cheiron will not be very far.
4- The return is made by the same itinerary.

Departure : Faïsse, car park, Gréolières
Arrival : Gréolières
Towns crossed : Gréolières

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

After point 3, the open landscape does not allow regular mark-up. Be attentive to your progression. Beware of grazing areas, if you encounter a protection dog, behave appropriately.

Information desks

Prealpes of Azur Regional Nature Park

https://www.parc-prealpesdazur.fr/contact@pnr-prealpesdazur.fr (+33) 4 92 42 08 63

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