Direction the Circuit du Mont Aucellier
Unconventional hike starting from Roure, along the Clauetta ridge which separates the Vionène valley and the Tinée and offers a vast view of the surrounding mountains. Mount Autcellier (2,204 m) whose etymology “aut” is equivalent to “from above”, and “cella” to “shelter”, probably evokes the old huts in ruins visible to the south-east of the summit.
This route offers the opportunity to discover the verdant plateau of Longon, which contrasts with the particularly steep and unrewarding slopes of Mont Mounier (2,817 m), and its imposing mountain pasture building which used to be used exclusively for the summer pasture of cows, part of which has been converted into a refuge to accommodate hikers.
The Frache forest with its remarkable larch surrounds the Rougios plateau which was once the main granary of Roure and an intermediate mountain pasture before the herds moved up to the summer pastures. The peasants had built a temporary habitat there and modulated the landscape with dry stone terraces; the roofs covered with thatch or “wine slate” of the abandoned barns still testify to this agricultural past.
Daniel’s pictures
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
– Daniel Blanc – Alpes Maritimes Department
Listen to the hiking podcast
The France Bleu Azur podcast to prepare your Mont Aucellier circuit hike, with advice from the Alpes-Maritimes Department
Practical information for this hike is on the site Randoxygene and you can download the free Randoxygen guides HERE