Croix de l'Alpe walks

A lovely hike starting from Super Sauze. The route via the north face of the Chapeau de Gendarme is not recommended for children; the east face is preferable.

A very beautiful high-mountain hike at the foot of Cime de la Bonette between the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence. Very little traffic. Magnificent, rocky landscape. The upper Braissette lake is a very beautiful spot for bivouacking.

This first stage of the Tour du Mont Aiga starts from Camp des Fourches on the Bonette road and, via the Col des Fourches, descends into the large Salso Moreno valley, which you climb back up to the Col de Pouriac. From the Col de Pouriac, you quickly reach Bassa di Colombart and then, after a long descent through the mountain pastures, the charming village of Ferrere. You may encounter flocks of sheep in Salso Moreno and, at night, the wolves that prey on them.

This seventeenth stage continues the crossing of the Mercantour massif. From Bousiéyas, the GR®5 climbs gently along the forest track, crosses the Tinée valley and reaches the small lake of Lauzarouotte. The path then crosses the Issias valley and reaches the Col de la Colombière. Winding its way down, it plunges straight into the Vallon de la Combe and, hugging the hillside, reaches the Rochepin chalet before returning to the bottom of the Vallon de la Combe and reaching Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage. The GR®5 follows the Route d’Anelle, crossing a few torrents before reaching the Col d’Anelle. It descends to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, which it passes through, before entering the Tinée Valley. At the hamlet of Drogon, it winds its way up the valley side in a series of hairpin bends to the resort of Auron, then passes through woodland to reach the Col du Blainon before descending the sunny side of the Vallon de la Roya and arriving at the “Ma Vieille École” lodge.

A good walk to work up an appetite! Set off from Pra Loup to the La Dalle en Pente restaurant and return via the Chappe chairlift.

This second stage will take you from the La Cayolle refuge to the Ferran lodge at the Louiqs farm via the Col de La Petite Cayolle and the Pas de Lausson. It offers views of numerous mountain lakes and the Var waterfalls beneath the Pont du Diable. You can stop at the La Cantonnière refuge to shorten the route or have a snack.

A climb to a pass, followed by a descent of roughly the same length, with two beautiful lakes to admire. This walk also gives you the chance to compare the two sides of the mountain, which are quite different.

Second part of the circular. This second stage will take you to the village of Allos, starting from Mont Pelat, via the Trou de l'Aigle, the Cimet and its many waterfalls, including the Cascade du Pich and the Bois de Vacheresse.

A first day to stretch your legs and discover the magnificent natural setting of the Vens lakes. Note: as this route ends in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, it is advisable, if possible, to park a second car in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to shuttle back to the starting point. Otherwise, allow around €25 for the taxi journey from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to Le Pra, but please note that booking is required a few hours in advance.

This stage will take you to the pretty Vallon de la Montagnette, then on to the Col des Monges, which offers a stunning view of the Southern Alps.