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Yet another long day to try your soles. After a steep initial climb up to and over a ridge, you spend most of the rest of the day hiking through national forest.

Aside from one small village and perhaps an occasional hunter, you probably won't see much in the way of structures, cars, or people... further evidence that the hustle-bustle of the Côte d'Azur has been left far behind.

While walking through the forest, one thing to watch out for... and avoid... are les processionnaires du pin (Pine Processionary Caterpillars). Endemic to the region, they produce the same effects (massive prolonged irritation and eczema for the unlucky, the unwary, and the unaware) as poison ivy and sumac do in America.

Their only predator is the cuckoo -- which is ironic because I've always felt that the cuckoo was a bird with no redeeming qualities. Apparently I was wrong. Let's hope there is no cuckoo shortage....

Route
Retrace your path yesterday by going down the hill to the Estéron River. After crossing, head west on the GR4 to les Tardons (625m), and then climb over the ridge to your north, descending once more to the Estéron. Don't cross it with the GR4, however, but instead head west several kilometers and cross to the village of Gars (740m). From here head west on the GR510 to Briançonnet.

Alternatives: none. The route is nowhere exposed and can be hiked even if the weather is bad.
Map: IGN-3542ET Haute Estéron.

Journal
The House to House blog... stage 78.

Photos
<A couple of representative photos from this stage will be added here after the hike>
In the meantime, click here to go to all of the H2H photos on Flickr.

GPS Track
<To be added during or after hike>

Room and Board Options
Lunch: picnic.
Dinner and overnight: there are three places to stay in Briançonnet (for the list, see here).

Getting There and Back
Aiglun: from Nice, where there is a regular railway station, take the steam train to Puget-Théniers, from which you can take a taxi the 20km to Aiglun (for taxi information, see here, for steam train information, see here, and for regular trains, see the SNCF).
Briançonnet: take a taxi the 30km to Puget-Théniers.
ViaMichelin Road Map and Driving Directions: centered on Aiglun, centered on Briançonnet.

Background Information and Links
Many and various...

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