Route from Rabuons to Vens via Mont Ténibre

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A magnificent three-day route taking you to one of the 3,000-metre peaks in the Alpes-Maritimes. You’ll have the chance to spend a night on the shores of the largest lake in the Alpes-Maritimes at the small Rabuons refuge. The following day, the ascent of Mont Ténibre will offer you a superb panorama of Italy, as well as the Mercantour range stretching as far as the peaks of the Auron ski resort. You’ll leave your rucksack behind for a second night by the shores of another lake – less rugged and more pastoral – at the Vens refuge.

Details

n°1678887
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 21.65 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9,636 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9,639 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,915 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,734 ft

Photos

Saint Etienne de Tinée
Saint Etienne de Tinée
Lac des Babarottes
Lac des Babarottes

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée - Refuge de Rabuons

    Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée - Rabuons Refuge

    ↔4.55 mi ↗4,951 ft ↘423 ft
    This first stage will take you to the Rabuons mountain hut, on the shores of the largest lake in the Alpes-Maritimes.The landscape is very rocky. You’ll come across plenty of Italians, as just across the border there are several mountain huts offering lovely routes via the nearby Pas de l’Ischiator. ⚠️ Allow around 4 hours for an average hiker in good physical condition to complete this walk.
    View the route
  2. 2
    Refuge de Rabuons - Refuge de Vens

    Rabuons Refuge – Vens Refuge

    ↔9.54 mi ↗3,383 ft ↘3,875 ft
    After a night at the Rabuons Mountain Hut, you’ll be ready to climb Mont Ténibre, the main highlight of this second stage. The route is challenging but you’ll be richly rewarded by the panoramic views that await you. To the south, you’ll recognise the Refuge de Rabuons and the lake; to the north and west, there are numerous lakes and the peaks on the border with Italy. After a more leisurely walk along the Chemin de l’Énergie, the scenery will become more pastoral as you approach the Lacs de Vens. You are now in the Mercantour National Park; there are regulations to be observed, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to €1,500 – please see the practical information.
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  3. E
    Refuge de Vens - Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée

    Vens Mountain Hut – Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée

    ↔7.56 mi ↗1,302 ft ↘5,341 ft
    The aim of this third stage is, of course, to return to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée. You’ll enjoy one last glimpse of the majestic scenery of the Vens Lakes, the Torrent de Vens, the waterfalls and also the Lac des Babarottes, which is a little more secluded. You’ll take the Chemin de l’Energie one last time – a very peaceful route overlooking the valley.
    View the route

Notes

  • A challenging route suitable only for experienced walkers
  • This route includes a long section rated T3: the ascent and, in particular, the descent of Mont Ténibre.
  • A quick reminder about route difficulty ratings: see this page.

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

Worth a visit

  • Rabuons Lakes.
  • Corborant (3,007 m).
  • Pas d’Ischiator.
  • Lake Chaffour.
  • Mount Ténibre (3,031 m).
  • Rabuons Pass.
  • Ténibre Pass.
  • The Vens Lakes.
  • Lake Babarottes.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 19224690

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely 3-day hike

Machine-translated

Potman
Potman

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this superb three-day route. Day 1 is almost entirely devoted to the ascent; it takes four hours, not including breaks. If you arrive at the mountain hut early, you could go and see the two lakes above and back, bearing in mind that you’ll be passing that way on Day 2 anyway.

Day 2 is fantastic, with incredibly varied and stunning scenery. The section over Mont Ténibre is a bit exposed. Whilst not technically difficult, it may pose a problem for those prone to vertigo.

The third day is the least interesting, and consists entirely of a descent.

Please note: you cannot charge mobile phones at either of the two mountain huts. The packed lunch at the Rabuons mountain hut isn’t great, but the staff there are very friendly.

Machine-translated

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