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From Saint-Dalmas de Tende, take the D91 road towards Castérino.
From Castérino, go to the upper car park.
(S/E) Go through the "Entrée parc du Mercantour" barrier near marker 394, follow the track on the left that runs alongside the Valmasque stream to marker 393.
(1) At the sign indicating "Lac de l'Agnel 2h", turn right and cross the stream via a small bridge. The trail continues through a small meadow and then winds its way up to Pointe de Valmasque.
(2) Continue along the path, which becomes rockier, to Lac de l'Agnel.
(3) Above the dam, continue westwards. Walk along the lake on the path leading to Pas de l'Agnel. You will reach a tricky section in the middle of the lake.
(4) This very short passage requires caution. Continue to the end of the lake, where you will find another tricky passage.
(5) Delicate passage over a few dozen metres. Turn right to reach the Pas de l'Agnel. The path is well marked, but the last 300 metres are over scree, so follow the cairns carefully.
(6) Stay on the French side and follow the path heading south. There is not always a path, but cairns are everywhere until you reach Small Pass de la Charnassère (the rule is to locate the next cairn before continuing). The end of the path is still on scree, but is well marked by cairns.
(7) Descend a long scree slope, leaving Lac Gelé on your left to reach Lac de la Lusière.
(8) At the Lac de la Lusière spillway, follow the stream on the right and continue along the scree or the well-marked trail. Descend the fairly steep switchbacks to Lac Noir, on the dam side, then join the path that comes from the Valmasque pass.
(9) Continue left to marker 97.
(10) Descend to the right through the entire Valmasque valley to reach marker 393 (the usual route for the ascent to the Valmasque refuge in Castérino).
(1) Return to the car park via the same route (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Very difficult 
