La Baisse de Levens forests

A hike through two original forest zones: a low-altitude spruce-fir forest and a young hop-hornbeam (or Ostrya) forest, tress which can only be found in the Mercantour National Park.

Leave from marker 136 at the bridge which crosses the Brouis brook. You will then enter into the heart of the Mercantour National Park.At marker 137, turn right. The forest atmosphere will suddenly feel more intense. The coolness of the valley as well as the slope’s exposure to sunshine constitute favourable conditions for spruce-fir trees.At marker 139, turn left towards Mont Gros. The forest here is clearly much older. On these slopes, the few large spruce-firs you can see must be around a hundred years old. You will also be able to see many saplings, showing that the forest is easily able to regenerate itself, underlining its well-preserved state.At marker 138, go down Col de Brouis. Here you will enter a very singular type of forest: populated by the valleys typical hop-hornbeams on slopes which have only recently been populated by trees. This environment can only be found in central and southern parts of Europe.To end the circuit, head down from marker 137 towards the road.