Area: Castellane Pre-Alpes, France
This was a near-perfect hillwalk to do with Morgan. I've done most of the mountains around Castellane before - Robion, Teillon, Bernarde and Destourbes all stick in my mind, nice peaks with distinct profiles. Bauroux is a little lower, but it is also a long ridge, lends itself to a loop, and I felt it would be ideal for a father-and-son outing. So it proved, as we set out after the longish drive via Mons and Fayence up butterfly-festooned slopes from the village of Seranon. Above, the long limestone ridge of Bauroux is really impressive. The route takes a nicely logical upward route to gain the wooded western end of the ridge with sudden views north to Teillon and other familiar limestone hills. A lovely breeze kept temperatures manageable, which had been my main concern (it was around 36-37c at the coast). In addition, the route then heads up the wooded northern side of the ridge, up to a wonderful viewpoint which looks out over the crags. The ridge is quite complex, with numerous tops, so the path stays well away from it, weaving through the woods until it heads decisively upwards after the final forepeak. Some rocky sections as the treeline is left just below the summit, which has a big cross, wonderful views, and lots of butterflies enjoying the superb limestone flora. The clarity was excellent and we could pick out Maritime Alps peaks which I'd done before in the distance: Gelas, Argentera, Malinvern and others. Across the valley, the Var's highpoint of Lachens, which I took them up (mostly by car) when they were very small. After a fine lunch, we continued down the steeper eastern side, eventually reaching the village of Caille. From here, we took a slight wrong turning south before heading west back to Seranon. Then it was down to Cannes via Grasse for a culinary reward.
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