17. GTM - Stage 17 : Sospel - Menton

From Sospel (350m - m.105), take the old road for Col de Castillon (D.2566).

Cross the railway tracks and, just after the first hairpin, take the small road towards Fontan on the left (m.106).

 This road rapidly becomes a track; follow it before turning right onto the GR (m.106a) which cuts across it before joining it further up.

On the first right-hand hairpin bend, follow the track which heads off to rejoin the path (GR) which rises up the flank (m.107) before coming out on the ridge (fountain - m.107a). A climb through a wooded area allows you to reach Col du Razet (1032m - m.17); continue along the flank (GR52), to reach Colla Bassa (1107m - m.16) and turn right onto the track which heads downhill towards the south.

Further down, take a right fork onto a path (GR) to reach the place known as Mourga (m.15). Head past the ruined building on the right, cross the slope and join a track (m.14) which you will need to follow downhill and to the right in order to pick up the path which heads away to the left (GR52 – m.13).

The final climb begins (m.12) up to the tall pine trees under the passage of the Col du Berceau (1090m).

Do not miss out on the airy summit of Roc d’Orméa (1132m) which can be reached via a brief return journey. The descent along the south-eastern slope is steep, stony and technically difficult.

The slope becomes gentler as you reach the forest (716m), at an intersection of paths (m.11) where you need to continue along the flat towards Plan du Lion (m.10), leaving GR51 to continue away to your right.

At the edge of the plateau, where a recent fire has left its mark (m.9), take the path (GR52) which heads straight down the slope, leading to a track in the St-Paul district (446m –m.8).

Continue opposite along the track and then the path on the right (GR) which heads down along the slope (markers 7 and 6) until the outskirts of Menton. Head right, parallel to the motorway which you will go under before continuing (m.5) the descent (GR52 – m.4).