San Gervasio Gorges, starting from Montgenèvre

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This easy route, which crosses the French-Italian border, will allow you to discover the magnificent San Gervasio Gorges, the stream that flows through them, and the charming village of Clavière.

Details

n°102634814
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.20 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 965 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 965 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,132 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,400 ft
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Photos

San Gervasio Gorges Waterfall
The San Gervasio Gorges

Description of the walk

Park near the Espace Prairial.

(S/E) In front of the Espace Prairial, head towards Clavière by following the Tranchée Couverte de Montgenèvre and cross the village via the Route d’Italie, going round a roundabout to reach the start of the walks.

(1) Follow the path towards Clavière and head for the motorhome site.

(2) Take the path on your right. The descent towards Clavière is very easy and pleasant. You’ll reach the N97, the Route de France.

(3) Cross it carefully and continue left into the village of Clavière along the Via Nazionale until you reach a roundabout.

(4) Turn right onto the path situated on a small hillock between the road and the Masaniello restaurant, heading down into the valley. Pass the San Gervasio Chapel on the hillock and begin the descent, which is slightly steep. Pass the start of the Tibetan Bridge on your right and continue down towards the bottom of the gorges.

(5) At the bottom of the gorges, take the path on the right to walk back up them. The climb is very gentle and pleasant, winding its way around a small stream.

(6) Take the steps, pass the Bunker Via Ferrata, then climb all the way back up the gorges after a short zigzagging ascent.

(7) At the top, pass under the Coche chairlift to rejoin a wide path leading down towards Clavière.

(8) Continue left along this lovely forest path towards Montgenèvre.

(9) Turn right to head back towards Montgenèvre via a wide path. Pass close to Lac du Moulin de la Folie and Lac du Petit Peychier, and you’ll arrive at a nursery school.

(10) Turn right,cross the N97 (Route de France) with care, and take the Route d’Italie on the left, heading towards the Espace Prairial (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,056 ft - Espace Prairial car park - Col de Montgenèvre
  2. 1 : mi 0.57 - alt. 6,093 ft - The obelisk
  3. 2 : mi 0.81 - alt. 6,093 ft - Motorhome site
  4. 3 : mi 1.27 - alt. 5,856 ft - Claviere – Via Nazionale
  5. 4 : mi 2.05 - alt. 5,715 ft - Roundabout
  6. 5 : mi 2.5 - alt. 5,410 ft - The San Gervasio Gorges - Doire Ripaire (rivière) - Affluent du Pô
  7. 6 : mi 2.82 - alt. 5,656 ft - San Gervasio Gorges Waterfall
  8. 7 : mi 2.95 - alt. 5,728 ft - Above the Gorges
  9. 8 : mi 3.28 - alt. 5,732 ft - Clavière
  10. 9 : mi 4.44 - alt. 6,053 ft - Vallon Trail
  11. 10 : mi 4.94 - alt. 6,106 ft - Ice rink
  12. S/E : mi 5.2 - alt. 6,056 ft - Montgenèvre – Espace Prairial

Notes

The route passes by numerous shops and restaurants.

Worth a visit

This walk will allow you to admire a magnificent waterfall beneath the steps at point (7).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Esservel
Esservel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely walk through the Gorges. It’s true that the section through Clavière isn’t as interesting, but it’s only a small part of the walk. It’s an easy walk and quite busy, but well worth a visit.

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jp11
jp11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Let’s make it clear straight away that this hike took place right in the middle of August, so the area was very busy.
First of all, finding a parking space (we had to park 1.5 km from the start, at the Club Soleil Vacances). The resort’s car parks were actually half-empty, but given the price, we decided against it.
The gorges are stunning, both for walkers on the path and for those crossing the Nepalese bridge. The safety measures along the route are excellent. Nevertheless, if you’re with young children, do keep a close eye on them.
On the return journey to Montgenèvre, the path has been diverted due to the relentless expansion of the golf course – something that wasn’t the case at all before – meaning you have to go round the lakes before getting back to the village. So, if you want to do this walk or others in the Prarial area, do it quickly before the whole valley becomes impassable due to privatisation for the Olympic Games and golfers.

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Trainmania
Trainmania

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback and clarification. I’ve amended the route so that it goes over the golf course. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Enjoy your walk!

Machine-translated

VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and interesting walk up through the gorges. We enjoyed the shade and the cool air.
Other sections are a bit dreary: particularly the stretch through Clavière and the area around the San Gervasio Chapel (rubbish on the ground, road noise). That’s why I’ve rated the route’s interest as ‘average’ only.
On the way back, near the golf course, close to the point with an altitude of ‘1822’, you need to take a short detour, as the suggested route encroaches on the golf course’s property and a sign asks walkers to take a detour.

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