Briga Alta walks

This third and final stage will, of course, take you back to the starting point of this tour in the Marguareis Park.The proposed route will take you to Passo della Croce. You will recognise Passo del Pas, just 900m away. This route is the heart of the park. You will discover Cima Pian Ballaur and Cima Saline. During the day, you will pass through the hamlets of Carnino and cross a Tibetan-style suspension bridge.

The two main access points to the Marguareis Nature Park are quite a distance from our French Alpes-Maritimes. The northern entrance is at Chiusa di Pesio (a 2-hour drive), the southern entrance is at Carnino (a 3-hour drive). Choosing Morignole is an alternative way to enter this magnificent park, which is rarely visited by French people despite being on the border. Pointe Marguareis lies on the French-Italian border.Five days to climb Pointe Marguareis and circumnavigate it.

The three easternmost peaks in France. This hike presents no technical difficulties; the paths are well-marked and there are plenty of signposts. I classify it as very difficult given its length and elevation gain. A similar hike was already described in 2019, but I am not including the description of the descent today.

Discover one of the highest points in the village of Tende by climbing up to the Saint-Sauveur Chapel. This chapel, listed as a historic monument since 26 May 2000, was built on the orders of the first Count of Tende for his wife, who was Orthodox. It features 14th-century murals. The route is short but the climb is steep (250m elevation gain over less than 1km). Caution: tricky passage at the end.

A pleasant, easy forest hike, ideal for getting back into walking in the spring. The descent offers beautiful views of La Brigue, the Chaberta massif and the terraces built over the centuries, evidence of an agricultural past.

This circular route, starting from La Brigue, allows you to explore the Lévensa Valley via a varied trail combining woodland, footbridges and ancient ruins. The route leads to the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines Chapel, notable for its frescoes, before a gentler return via the road. Combining nature and heritage, this route offers a gradual immersion in a peaceful environment typical of the hinterland.

Three villages,names and prestigious locations steeped in history on the natural border of the Mercantour National Park and the Vallée des Merveilles. Numerous sweeping views over these two valleys and the Alpine massif. A magnificent hike that lives up to our expectations.

A beautiful walk through the Levensa Valley. Breathtaking views of these two towns. Prestigious sites steeped in history, including a magnificent House of Brigasque Heritage and Traditions to visit – everything you need for a pleasant day combining physical activity with fun and cultural visits.

Cime du Sabion is a Franco-Italian peak rising to 2,610 m. From the summit, with one foot in France and one in Italy, you can admire Mont Bégo and the main peaks of the Valmasque valley to the south-west. To the north, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the Entracque valley. To the east, you’ll be impressed by the vast, rugged cirque carved out at the foot of the peaks of Sabion, Peïrefique and the Roche de l’Abysse.See restrictions in the practical information section

This hike takes you through the Vallon de la Minière and then the exceptional site of the Vallée des Merveilles.

This summit, which rises just opposite the Refuge des Merveilles, lives up to its name. 360° panoramic view of a dozen lakes and the main peaks of the Vallée des Merveilles: Mont Bégo, Grand Capelet, Cime du Diable.

Long, fairly strenuous hike. The summit offers a 360° panorama from the sea to the highest peaks of the Mercantour and Argentera. You will look out over the many lakes you will have passed along the way.

The Refuge des Merveilles can be a destination in itself or the starting point for a guided tour of the petroglyphs or other hikes. The climb to the refuge via Lac des Mesches takes 3 hours and 15 minutes (excluding breaks) and has the advantage of being accessible by car or public transport (see "Practical Information").

A magnificent, easy hike straddling Italy and France. Superb panoramic views of the Nervia Valley and the Ligurian Alps, then the Roya Valley and the peaks of the Mercantour. On a clear day, you can see Mont Viso and Corsica.

Thissecond stage is the most alpine of the three. At the Refuge des Merveilles, you’ll admire the beauty of the landscapes, from the Cime du Diable to the Vallon des Merveilles. You’ll pass several lakes before descending into a more Mediterranean-style valley at the Pas du Diable. With the Redoute des Trois Communes in sight for much of the way, you’ll walk along the old border ridge, dotted with defensive structures. Near the Authion, numerous ruins will remind you of the end of the last war.

This hike begins and ends with a walk through the village of Triora, ranked among the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is a perfect example of a medieval village, where every alleyway, every small square, every wall and every building bears witness to centuries of history and tradition. The wooded valley, the old bridge overlooking the Argentina valley, and the two other hamlets you pass through will capture your attention.

This route passes through numerous medieval villages in five very different valleys: Valle Argentina, Valle Nervia, Valle Barbaira, Valle Bevera and Valle Roja (Roya). You will stop off in typical Ligurian villages, some of which are listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”.

This first stage will take you from Triora to Pigna. Triora is a medieval village known as the “village of witches” (il paese delle streghe). It is the most important village in the Argentina Valley. Triora is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. After walking along the Nervia, you will arrive in Pigna. The historic centre of the village is distinctive for its narrow streets arranged in concentric rings around the houses. Pigna is also a spa town.

A former 14th-century stronghold on the right bank of the Roya, Malmort Castle formed part of a defensive system controlling the Roya Valley under the rule of the House of Savoy.