Castérino – Nice Mountain Hut

de fr

This first stage takes you from the bottom of the Roya Valley to the Nice Refuge. The proposed route is longer and more difficult than the one via the Baisse du Basto, but much less busy. On this demanding detour, you’ll enjoy the passage over the Pas de l’Agnel, the stretch into Italy as far as the Pas de Pagari, stopping off at the Rifugio Pagari, nestled against the summit of the Malédie. During the descent to the Refuge de Nice, you’ll enjoy the tranquillity of the Lacs Clapier.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Circular route in the Mercantour starting from Castérino

Details

n°1621786
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.98 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,928 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,258 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,173 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,607 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Areas: Alps, Mercantour
  • ⚐ City: Tende (06430)
  • ⚑
    Start: N 44.11417° / E 7.494839°
  • ⚑
    End: N 44.104494° / E 7.400522°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3741OT, 3841OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather
    Discover Visorando Premium
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Nice Mountain Hut
Nice Mountain Hut
Clapier Lake
Clapier Lake

Description of the walk

From Saint-Dalmas de Tende (06), take the D91 road towards Castérino. From Castérino, head to the upper car park.

(S/E) Go through the “Entrée parc du Mercantour” barrier near marker 394, then follow the track on the left which runs alongside the Valmasque stream to marker 393.

(1) At the sign indicating “Lac de l’Agnel 2h”, turn right and cross the torrent via a small bridge. The path continues through a small meadow, then winds its way up to the Pointe de Valmasque.

(2) Follow the path, which becomes rockier, to Lac de l’Agnel.

(3) Above the dam, heading west, continue along the path towards the Pas de l’Agnel.

(4) A tricky section (very short).

(5) Tricky section (a few dozen metres). Then follow the path to reach the Pas de l’Agnel, which marks the French-Italian border.

(6) Start by following a narrow track, then quickly move onto large scree, keeping a close eye on the red markings. The route is very well signposted. (Grade T3)

(7) Continue over a fairly steep scree slope to the end of Lac Blanc.

(8) From Lac Blanc, head west along a good path until you reach the junction with a track coming from the eastern pass of Mont Clapier.

(9) Leave the track to your left and continue straight on until you reach the junction with the Pagari path coming from San Giacomo.
Turn left onto the series of hairpin bends leading to the Pagari refuge. Head to the refuge for a well-deserved break.

(10) From the refuge, return to the path junction and take the steep climb to the right towards the Pas de Pagari. (Grade T3)

(11) At the Pas de Pagari, the path is clear. Begin the descent to the two small lakes of Mont Clapier.

(12) The path passes between the two lakes. Continue towards the Refuge de Nice until you reach the junction with theGR®52.
Carry on to the steps to reach the Refuge de Nice (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 5,623 ft - Upper Castérino car park (marker 395)
  2. 1 : mi 1.1 - alt. 5,997 ft - Sign for Lac de l’Agnel
  3. 2 : mi 2.17 - alt. 7,146 ft - Valmasque Point
  4. 3 : mi 3.51 - alt. 7,986 ft - Lac de l'Agnel
  5. 4 : mi 3.83 - alt. 8,084 ft - Tricky section (use of hands recommended) - Lac de l'Agnel
  6. 5 : mi 3.95 - alt. 8,038 ft - Tricky section (use of hands recommended)
  7. 6 : mi 4.43 - alt. 8,406 ft - Pas de l’Agnel (French-Italian border)
  8. 7 : mi 4.89 - alt. 7,851 ft - Scree slope
  9. 8 : mi 5.21 - alt. 7,513 ft - Lago Bianco – Lac Blanc
  10. 9 : mi 5.56 - alt. 7,579 ft - Junction with the eastern path up Mont Clapier
  11. 10 : mi 6.79 - alt. 8,556 ft - Refuge de Pagari - Refuge CAI FEDERICI MARCHESINI AL PAGARI (2650 m)
  12. 11 : mi 7.39 - alt. 9,173 ft - Pagari Pass
  13. 12 : mi 8.01 - alt. 8,330 ft - Lacs du Mont Clapier
  14. E : mi 8.97 - alt. 7,290 ft - Refuge de Nice

Notes

  • This route includes two sections graded T3.
  • Tricky sections (4) and (5).
  • A quick reminder about route grades: see this page.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

  • The Pagari mountain hut is a great place to stop for a break: you’ll receive a warm welcome. The warden, ‘Aladar’, will offer you his craft beer, ‘Pagarina’, brewed in a small brewery next to the reception area. It’s the highest microbrewery in Europe.
  • The Pas de Pagari.
  • Mont Clapier.
  • The Cime de la Malédie.
  • The Cime du Gelas.
  • The Cime de Pagari.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Other walks in the area

Walking Circular route in the Mercantour starting from Castérino

Visorando Member
Boucle dans le Mercantour au départ de Castérino
↔34.52 mi ↗+16,145 ft ↘-16,165 ft ◔5 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This challenging route will take you from the Roya Valley in the east to the Gordolasque Valley in the west. Over the course of these five days, you’ll have the chance to pass close to the highest peak in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Gélas. You’ll climb a legendary summit, Mont Bégo. You’ll make your way from valley to valley, crossing a series of mountain passes: the Pas de Pagari, the Pas du Mont Colomb, the Pas du Trem and the Baisse de Valmasque. Every day, chamois, ibex and marmots will keep you company.

Walking From Valmasque to Lac des Mesches via Mont Bégo

Visorando Member
De la Valmasque au Lac des Mesches par le Mont Bégo
↔13.66 mi ↗+4,006 ft ↘-5,118 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This long one-way hike (two vehicles required) will take you up the pretty Valmasque Valley and its three beautiful lakes to the pass above the Vallée des Merveilles, before climbing to the summit of Mont Bégo via a sometimes steep and slightly vertiginous path, in an area where you may encounter magnificent ibex. Finally, there is a very long descent to the lakes around the Refuge des Merveilles, then through the Vallon de la Minière to Lac des Mesches.

Walking Lac de l'Agnel

Visorando Member
Lac de l'Agnel
↔6.75 mi ↗+2,408 ft ↘-2,392 ft ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
Hike to one of the largest lakes in the Mercantour National Park, surrounded by ibex and chamois.

Walking Circular of Valmasque and Fontanalbe

Visorando Member
Boucle de Valmasque et Fontanalbe
↔13.60 mi ↗+3,586 ft ↘-3,586 ft ◔9h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This magnificent circular takes you through the Valmasque and Fontanalbe valleys, with no fewer than five lakes and picture-postcard landscapes. It is a long but gradual hike with very few difficult sections.

Walking Around Mont Clapier in 3 days

Visorando Member
↔20.36 mi ↗+9,232 ft ↘-9,249 ft ◔3 days ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This route, deliberately named “Around Mont Clapier”, will take you to discover this magnificent peak, rising to 3,045 m. Situated in the north of the Alpes-Maritimes, on the French-Italian border, it offers a magnificent panorama of the main peaks of the Mercantour and Argentera ranges. Over the course of these three days, you’ll be able to admire it from various angles. You’ll also have the opportunity to climb it. Before setting off, please see the ‘Practical information’ section .

Walking Cime Viglino from Castérino

Visorando Member
Cime Viglino au départ de Castérino
↔10.73 mi ↗+4,049 ft ↘-4,068 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
Cime Viglino enjoys a privileged location. At an altitude of 2,910 metres, it cannot compete with the nearby Mont Clapier (3,051 metres), which offers its most beautiful façade and an impressive view of its glacier. The view to the west is obscured by this superb neighbour, but there is still a breathtaking panorama to the north as far as Mont Viso and to the south as far as the sea. From this promontory, you can dream and meditate on the hikes to be made in the valleys below.

Walking Le Grand Capelet

Visorando Member
Le Grand Capelet
↔14.01 mi ↗+4,370 ft ↘-4,390 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
Le Grand Capelet enjoys a privileged position, offering panoramic views over the Roya and Vésubie valleys.The hike is quite challenging, but once you reach your destination, you will be rewarded with a superb panorama.

Walking Lac Vert de Fontanalba and Voie Sacrée

Visorando Member
Lac Vert de Fontanalba et Voie Sacrée
↔8.58 mi ↗+2,290 ft ↘-2,313 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This hike takes place in a very green valley, punctuated by a pretty little lake that takes on the colour of its surroundings. You can admire the pictograms of the Sacred Way (like those in the Vallée des Merveilles). The whole area is dominated by Mont Bégo.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.