St-Blaise to Foun Morta above Levens

 

St-Antoine Chapel


Having hiked from the picturesque village of St-Blaise to Mont Cima a few years ago, we came across the idea to explore the trail north of the village towards Levens. Trails here are numerous and many of them are not even marked or signposted.

It was spring in Nice hinterland, only 15 km or so from Promenade des Anglais as the crow flies. 


Descending from St-Blaise
Descending from St-Blaise
Crossing St-Blaise Valley
Crossing St-Blaise Valley
Climbing to St-Antoine
Climbing to St-Antoine
Trail above St-Antoine
Trail above St-Antoine

From St-Blaise (~300 m) we descended along the streets passing a school to signpost #289. From here, we descended further in a dense verdant wood down to the St-Blaise Valley and crossed a stream along  an old narrow stone bridge. The following ascent to the hamlet of St-Antoine was equally rather steep but the trail was mostly good. We reached Chapelle St-Antoine de Siga near signpost #288, and continued the ascent behind the chapel, passing some curious gouts. Yellow markings were sporadic. In places, we continued very near the houses some of which looked like secondary residences.

We reached the paved Chemin du Pestrier and forked right as shown on the map. After about 400 m, after a bend, we located the trail  and headed northwest towards Ste-Petronille. There we briefly merged with a road again, walked past some nice properties and were guided by signpost #287 to the northeast. After about 300 m we came to an intersection where we forked left along an unmarked but good trail. Now heading north then northwest we climbed steadily in a pine wood and eventually started to see the Var River Valley before reaching a hill named Foun Morta (610 m) on maps. In spite of its rather modest elevation, we had great views from the hilltop.




Mont Cima seen from St-Antoine
Mont Cima seen from St-Antoine
Var River Valley seen from trail
Var River Valley seen from trail
Foun Morta view northwest
Foun Morta view northwest
Mercantour peaks seen from Foun Morta
Mercantour peaks seen from Foun Morta
Leaving Foun Morta
Leaving Foun Morta
Briefly joining the GR5 trail
Briefly joining the GR5 trail

On the way back, we headed east along a wide track and briefly merged with the GR5 trail and descended rapidly to signpost #285. There we forked right and headed back towards St-Blaise, following the itinerary used in the morning.

Distance: 8 km

Climb: 500 m

Duration: 3h 30

Map: 3742 OT Nice Menton Côte d’Azur


St-Blaise to Foun Morta track


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