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When it snows on the Riviera, it is very rare for it to settle, especially close to the coast. This year (2009) has been the exception, most mornings the mountains on the horizon have been snow capped. For hill walkers who are not partial to wearing snow shoes, the choice of destinations can be more limited.
Luckily the region has a wide variety of walks available. This walk is below a 1000m and normally possible to do even when there is snow on the lower hill tops along the “Les Balcons de la Côte d'Azur”. The walk starts in Gattières is approximately 8.5 km in distance with a climb of 700m.
Gattières is easily reached by going up the RN 202 from the coast and crossing the river Var at Carros. At Carros make your way to St Jeannet and Gattières along the D2210. The walk follows the GR51 for much of the way and it is a "there and back again" over the same route.
As you come up to the mini roundabout in the centre of the village take the 2nd right in the direction of the cemetery. Park near the cemetery, the first wooden sign showing the start of the walk is there. 
Follow the sign and the yellow markers up past the house - it opens out on a road - take a left. Follow the road up past the houses and you enter an oak grove, walk through the trees and you come to another road - take a left. About 50 m down the road take a right following the yellow markers.
The path starts to climb up the hillside, you pass some firing ranges as you snake up the hillside. Soon you meet a path crossing your route continue up to the Baou Gattières. The angle of ascent reduces as you walk up the side of valley, there is more shelter here, so cooler in the winter and welcome if you do this walk in the summer.
As the valley flattens out the path crosses over to the other side. This then takes you to the crest of the hill, the path splits there you want to take a left following the ridge to the "le Gros Chêne" or Old Oak. The path splits again - keep going straight ahead.
Before you get to the Oak there is a small peak with some fantastic views. The oak is in a grove at the top of the Baou. The return route is the reverse of the way up. One of the advantages of living on the Cote d'Azur is this access to some really beautiful countryside with 30 mins of the coast.
Way points
Start/end East 32:353140.75 North 32:4846875.39 Height 264 m
Baou East 32:350965.65 North 32:4846357.63 Height 779 m
Split East 32:351795.23 North 32:4846765.40 Height 623 m
St/end East 32:353140.75 North 32:4846875.39 Height 264 m
Walk details
Flat distance 8598.23 m
Total height ascended 694 m
Actual distance 8753.45 m
Total height descended 693 m
Minimum height 263 m
Maximum height 838 m
