Three mountain passes from Ste-Claire (Levens)

 

Climb to Colla Bassa begins


We had previously hiked to Colla Bassa (888 m) from Levens. While exploring new itineraries in this region, we wanted to try a loop starting from the hamlet of Ste-Claire (512 m) by the M19 road south of Levens. There’s a decent parking at Place Antoine Icart. 

GR5 south of Ste-Claire
GR5 south of Ste-Claire
Mont Lion seen from trail
Mont Lion seen from trail
Above Plan de Couthon
Above Plan de Couthon

The GR 5 trail runs next to Ste-Claire, and we followed it to the south, initially along a paved road, then a dirt track to Colla Partida (565 m; signpost  #290). From the trail, we had nice views to the west, St-Blaise village etc. Colla Partida is a crossroads of several trails. We left the GR 5, forked left and descended rapidly to Plan de Couthon (427 m) by the M19 road. We crossed the road carefully to signpost #823 (title picture above) and began the long ascent to Colla Bassa. We hiked past signpost #815 then #219 (image below) after which we temporarily took the wrong trail in Ravin des Balmettes where the overgrown wet trail soon vanished and we returned to #219. The correct trail turned sharply left, uphill just 20 m after the signpost.


Left turn after 20m!
Left turn after 20m!
Spring signs
Spring signs
Colla Bassa 30min!
Colla Bassa 30min!
Levens and Mont Vial
Levens and Mont Vial
Mont Cima
Mont Cima

The rest of the ascent was uneventful. We took a well-deserved break at Colla Bassa (signpost #218). The  main view was to the northeast with the still snow-capped Mercantour Range in the horizon. The best views to the coast and to the west were from the trail just before Colla Bassa.

We continued to the northwest. After a brief ascent and passing the crossroads to Col de Rosa, we descended to  Col de Travail (760 m; signpost #281), a clearing with some ruined houses. From here, we first followed a dirt track about 200 m and at signpost #282 we forked left to Ste-Claire and descended rapidly back to the hamlet.


Colla Bassa
Colla Bassa
Col de Travail
Col de Travail
Rapid descent to Ste-Claire
Rapid descent to Ste-Claire
Ste-Claire
Ste-Claire

Climb: 600 m
Distance: 11,5 km
Duration: 4h 30 active
Map: 3742 OT Nice Menton Côte d’Azur

3 cols hike simplified map

Three cols loop hike
Three cols loop hike


activefrenchriviera

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Tagliatelle with spinach and Parma ham

 

Tagliatelle with spinach and Parma ham


This is a simple and comforting dish, perfect to make in winter after hiking in hills or forests. It is quick to make from frozen spinach.

2 servings

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 handfuls of frozen spinach, defrosted

100 ml white wine

1 tsp. dried Provençal herbs

Freshly ground black pepper

About 120 g Parma ham

A generous amount of parmesan shavings

Whole wheat tagliatelle for 2 servings


In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 10 minutes until soft. Add the defrosted spinach, white wine, herbs, and black pepper and stir. Let simmer.


Meanwhile cook the tagliatelle according to the advice on the package. Drain the pasta and add to the sauté pan. Stir until the pasta is nicely coated with oil and spinach. 


Divide the tagliatelle on the lates. Fold in the Parma ham slices and top with parmesan shavings.


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