Cime de la Valette and Lake Prals

de fr

From the summit of La Valette, there is a breathtaking view of all the peaks of the Mercantour, La Colmiane and, on a clear day, Cap d'Antibes. You will pass by the five lakes of Le Prals.

Details

n°153213
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 769 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 769 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,493 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,805 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Cime de la Valette
Pral Lakes
Cime de la Valette
Cime de la Valette

Description of the walk

Park in the car park 1 km before Madone de Fenestre at a bridge marked with signpost 360.

(S/E) Walk 130m down the road to marker 361.

(1) Take a path on the left towards Baisse de Prals, reaching marker 362.

(2) Turn left to follow the Vallon de Prals stream towards Cime de la Valette, reaching the crossroads at marker 363.

(3) Turn right and continue climbing to reach marker 298 at Tête de la Lave.

(4) Descend slightly for a few metres, then continue climbing, finishing with a few tight hairpin bends to reach marker 299.

(5) Continue along the path to the left to reach the Cime de la Vallette de Prals. Continue towards the Baisse de Prals along a ridge path until you reach marker 365.

(6) Then turn left towards Lac de Prals via a steep path. At the next junction, which you will reach very quickly, take the path on the right. Cross the scree without too much difficulty, then climb slightly to reach the Lacs de Prals and then Baisse de Prals, marker 366.

(7) Take the good path downhill, passing through the Vallon du Ponset. Finish the descent at marker 367.

(8) Turn left towards La Vacherie and return to the car park.
Enjoy your walk!

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,830 m - Bridge over the - Vésubie (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 1,827 m - Beacon 361
  3. 2 : km 0.89 - alt. 1,823 m - Beacon 362
  4. 3 : km 2.34 - alt. 2,056 m - Beacon 363
  5. 4 : km 3.89 - alt. 2,361 m - Large cairn
  6. 5 : km 6.07 - alt. 2,476 m - Beacon 299 - Cime de la Vallette de Prals (2496m)
  7. 6 : km 7.25 - alt. 2,348 m - Beacon 365 - Baisse de Prals
  8. 7 : km 9.07 - alt. 2,311 m - Beacon 366
  9. 8 : km 11.13 - alt. 1,884 m - Beacon 367 - Madone de Fenestre Refuge
  10. S/E : km 11.71 - alt. 1,830 m - Bridge over the - Vésubie (rivière)

Notes

Bring 1.5 litres of water.
Very good high-altitude hiking boots, windbreaker, rain gear (weather changes quickly), small 20-litre rucksack.
Period: May to October (depending on conditions).

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

Worth a visit

- The Alpha Wolf Park in Boréon.
- The ascent of the Cime du Gelas (highest peak in the Mercantour) from the Madone de Fenestre, but reserved for very experienced hikers.
- Visit to the Madone de Fenestre chapel.
- Blueberry tart at the Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre.
(S/E) Madone de Fenestre website
(5) The Cime de la Valette is marked by a calvary and an old border marker.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Sandid83
Sandid83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, challenging hike! With magnificent 360° views from the summit of La Valette!

Machine-translated

gege06
gege06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very good route; we saw a herd of ibex at the summit of Pertus. After Baisse de Prals, it is indeed possible to follow the markings and gain 100 metres in altitude, passing through some scree.
Once past the lakes, the trail is very busy.

Machine-translated

Fazer13
Fazer13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good


A beautiful route! The landscapes are varied, with magnificent views from the summit of La Valette and the Prals lakes. We encountered numerous chamois on our return from the lakes.
As mentioned in a previous comment: "at point 3 (B363), the Cime de la Valette is indicated straight ahead in the valley, whereas the description says to go right (which is also correct and allows you to create a circular route without losing altitude compared to the opposite direction), but the signposting at this point indicates the direction of Baisse de Férisson/Tête de la Lave"

Machine-translated

proustyva
proustyva

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with stunning panoramic views. There is a small variation to the route that allows you to avoid going directly through the

Machine-translated

jacquesp
jacquesp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I know that you don't pay attention to the markings at first, but BE CAREFUL at point 3 (B363) Cime de la Valette is indicated straight ahead in the valley, whereas the description says to go right (which is also correct and allows you to make a circular loop without losing altitude compared to the opposite direction), but the markings at this point indicate Baisse de Férisson/Tête de la Lave.

A very beautiful hike: chamois are present throughout the route, not shy, allowing you to approach them to within 5 metres.

Machine-translated

ragnelli
ragnelli
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did it the other way round, starting at the cowshed, then climbing up to the Prals lakes before continuing on to the summit. We prefer steeper climbs to descents.
The route of the route is perfect.
In this direction, it's best to go to the right of the lake on the left (the path is visible) to avoid having to descend and then climb back up.
Magnificent, easy to do if you're reasonably fit, spectacular ridges, it's perfect!

Machine-translated

sbesson42
sbesson42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike, magnificent views... Family hike with 8- and 11-year-old children who are good walkers, no problem for them. We saw chamois, marmots and vultures.

In short, a great day out, and everyone was very happy.

We dipped our feet in the stream at the bottom, but the water was very, very cold.

Machine-translated

Legall Yves
Legall Yves

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

OK, except that the elevation gain is inaccurate for the second time. I feel like the software is mixing up several hikes in the same geographical area. The route is OK, the time is OK, the distance is OK, but the elevation gain is combined with other hikes.
How can this be fixed?
THANK YOU
Y LEGALL

Machine-translated

Legall Yves
Legall Yves

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, Everything is perfect on the IGN map, but:
1/ There is a bug on your website when trying to save the description and map
2/ Bug on the GPS: the route shows crazy elevation changes that do not correspond to the route at all
3/ Conclusion: stopping the track is pointless

Machine-translated

yves chauvin
yves chauvin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a superb hike that I recommend to everyone. Not difficult and with magnificent scenery, the Cime de la Valette offers views of the Mercantour peaks and beautiful, grandiose valleys, chamois, marmots and herds grazing in the summer pastures. To be enjoyed without moderation :love(love)love:

Machine-translated

jluc06
jluc06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello
A great walk to do early in the morning, which allowed us to see chamois up close.

Machine-translated

VERONONO87
VERONONO87

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this hike without going via the summit of La Valette and, to top it all off, we were able to go swimming. The lake wasn't cold, even though I'm usually sensitive to the cold.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Lacs de Prals via Baisse de Férisson and Cime de la Valette de Prals

Visorando member
Lacs de Prals par la Baisse de Férisson et la Cime de la Valette de Prals
↔13.11 km ↗+800 m ↘-791 m ◔6h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
The Lacs de Prals or "Cinq Lacs" route takes you into the heart of the Mercantour, along pleasant, easy trails that are suitable for all walkers. This route will allow you to discover the Tête de la Lave, the Cime de la Valette de Prals (2,496 m) with its panoramic view of the upper Vésubie and the great snow-capped peaks of the Oisans, before reaching the Lacs de Prals site.

Walking The Prals Lakes loop

Visorando member
Les Lacs de Prals en boucle
↔7.49 km ↗+527 m ↘-535 m ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
A charming circular hike that can be done at the start of the season (June) when there is still snow. Chamois are often seen (early in the morning). The lake area is very pleasant and offers many options and views for picnics.

Walking Summit of Gélas

Visorando member
Cime du Gélas
↔11.28 km ↗+1,424 m ↘-1,424 m ◔8 hrs ▲Extremely difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This route, which is closer to simple mountaineering than standard hiking, provides access to the highest peak in the Mercantour. From the summit, there is an exceptional panorama of the surrounding mountains and a view of the sea, stretching as far as Corsica on a clear day. The proposed ascent is via the small pass Saint-Robert and the west-southwest ridge, descending via the northeast ridge and the Balcon du Gélas.

Walking The Pas des Ladres via the Col de Fenestre

Visorando member
Le Pas des Ladres en passant par le Col de Fenestre
↔7.53 km ↗+626 m ↘-622 m ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
A beautiful loop around the Fenestre valley with Lake Fenestre as its centre point.

Walking Balaour Lakes

Visorando member
Lacs Balaour
↔5.83 km ↗+539 m ↘-539 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This hike in the Vallon de la Madone de Fenestre will take you to the wild lakes of Balaour, a little-visited spot at the foot of the Cime du Gélas, the highest point in the Mercantour. These lakes are fed by the famous Vésubie river, which rises some 300 metres higher up at Lac Blanc.

Walking Madone de Fenestre refuge - Pont du Countet

Visorando member
↔12.48 km ↗+857 m ↘-1,110 m ◔6h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
Route linking the Vésubie and Gordolasque valleys.

Walking Cirque de Férisson and Cime de la Valette de Prals

Visorando member
Cirque de Férisson et Cime de la Valette de Prals
↔8.91 km ↗+806 m ↘-814 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Belvédère (Alpes-Maritimes)
A circular hike starting from the Férisson cattle shed and passing through all the ridges around the Férisson cirque. Superb views all along the way, with the sea on one side and the Mercantour peaks on the other. As the end of the route is off-trail and unmarked, a good sense of direction and route-finding skills are essential.

Walking Refuge de Nice - Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre

Visorando member
Refuge de Nice - Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre
↔5.41 km ↗+461 m ↘-772 m ◔2h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Belvédère (Alpes-Maritimes)
This route, which runs parallel to the border, is dominated throughout by the large peak of Gélas, the highest summit in the area.

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.