Alpes-Maritimes: The Mercantour and Alpi Marittime Parks

ByTravesía Pirenaica
Mercantour Park / Photo: Lecouteausuisseduweb (Pixabay)
Mercantour Park / Photo: Lecouteausuisseduweb (Pixabay)

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