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From Saint-Dalmas de Tende (06), take the D91 towards Castérino. In the village, continue to the upper car park.
(S/E) Go through the "Entrée Parc du Mercantour" gate near marker 394 and follow the track on the left that runs alongside the Ruisseau de Valmasque. Pass marker 393 and continue to marker 374.
(1) Leave the track and take the path on the left. Follow the stream, passing close to two waterfalls. Continue along the path which winds upwards to reach a flat area. Join the fork at marker 98.
(2) Turn left towards the Vallée des Merveilles, leaving the Refuge de Valmasque trail on your right. After a few bends, you will reach marker 97 overlooking Lac Vert.
(3) Continue on the left. Follow the southern shore of Lac Vert and then reach an intersection just before the Lac Noir dam.
(4) Turn right, pass under the dam and climb up a meadow to reach a winding path.
Continue along the winding path (quite steep), then cross an area of scree (well marked by cairns) to Lac de la Lusière.
(5) At the very beginning of the lake, on the left, take the path that climbs up to Pas de la Fous (red markings on the left at the beginning of the lake). Reach Pas de la Fous through scree and a path that is still well marked with cairns (rating T3).
(6) From Pas de la Fous, Cime Viglino to the east of Mont Clapier appears as a pyramid. Head north-northeast and follow the few cairns that mark the start of the path. On the way up, the path is less obvious than on the way down. Follow the eastern ridge and make your way through the scree towards the summit. (Rating: T4).
(7) Enjoy the superb panorama, one level above the Pas de la Fous. To the north, Mount Viso is clearly visible.
And of course, to the west, Mont Clapier shows its steepest face and what remains of the glacier.
Be careful, the start of the descent is very steep.
Take the same route back to the upper car park at Castérino (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
