Alpes-Maritimes: The Mercantour and Alpi Marittime Parks

Rising more than 3,000 metres above the sunny French Riviera, the Alpes-Maritimes form the western edge of the mighty Alpine chain. Away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, this is a wonderful area for both novice walkers and experienced long-distance hikers.

Practical guide

When to go?

From mid-June to the end of September the trails are free of snow and the huts are open. In October you will find the mountains lonely.

Cities & Services

• France: Tende, Castérino, St-Martin-Vésubie, Le Boréon
• Italy: Terme di Valdieri, Entracque, Vernante

Not to be missed

• Wildlife (mountain goats, chamois and marmots) and wild flowers.
• High altitude lakes (Fremamorta, Lake Nègre).
• Argentera, Gelas and Clapier at over 3,000 m.
• Prehistoric cave engravings can be visited from Castérino.
• Old-style spa, Terme di Valdieri, with paved paths dating back to the 19th century royal hunting reserve.
• Col de Tende and Col de Fenestre.

Routes

Walks in the French Mercantour National Park and the Alpi Maritime Park.

The routes

• Lagarot di Lourousa (9.8km, elevation gain: 819m, 4-5.5h, difficulty: medium)
• Giro del Valasco (21.6km, elevation gain: 1,511m, 10-12h, difficulty: high). Emblematic hike in the Gesso Valley.
• Vallone Argentera (8.1km, elevation gain: 994m, 4-5h, difficulty: moderate)
• Remondino Refuge (10.8km, elevation gain: 975m, 4-6h, difficulty: moderate)
• Gorge della Reina (9.2km, elevation gain: 655m, 3-5h, difficulty: medium)
• Il Piano del Praiet (13.8km, elevation gain: 710m, 5-7h, difficulty: medium). At the foot of Mount Gelas, it has been a popular hiking destination.
• Lake of Vei del Bouc (16.3km, elevation gain: 979m, 5-7.5h, difficulty: moderate)
• Refugio Pagarì (22.4km, elevation gain: 1,638m, 9-11h, difficulty: high)
• Laghi Arbergh (11.1km, elevation gain: 879m, 5-7h, difficulty: medium)
• Garelli Shelter (10.5km 1,555m 6-7h, difficulty: moderate)

• Circuit of the Fontanalba rock engravings
• Tour of Mont Bégo
• Vallée de la Roya to Vallée de Vésubie
• Vallée de la Gordolasque
• Excursion to the Lacs de Prals
• Ancient steps on Madone de Fenestre
• Vallon du Haut Boréon
• Lacs Bessons
• Around Argentera
• Lac des Adus
• The Great Lakes Tour
• The Alpi Marittime trek
• Valasco tour
• Fremamorta
• Rifugio Bozano
• Rifugio Remondino and Lago di Nasta
• Vallone di Lourousa
• Traversing Colle di Fenestrelle
• Excursion to Rifugio Pagari
• Vallon del Vei del Bouc
• Gorge della Reina
• Vallone degli Alberghi
• Costa di Planard
• The border forts