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The first objective of the day is to reach the Refuge des Merveilles. The signposts suggest returning to marker 86, then following the track via markers 87, 88 and finally 88b.
In high season, 4x4s use this track to take tourists wishing to visit the rock carvings to the refuge.
If you wish to avoid the inconvenience of the dust clouds caused by this traffic, I recommend the following route.
(S) Start from the Neige et Merveilles lodge. From the steps between the bar and the large dormitory building, take the path heading west. Go through the gate and warm up on the steep climb leading to Lac de la Minière.
(1) Walk along the lake and you’ll easily find marker 88a near the stream.
(2) Cross the stream and head for marker 88b at the junction with a path coming from the 4x4 track. Turn right to continue, staying on the right bank of the stream, and reach marker 89a. Take the two shortcuts on the right to quickly reach marker 89.
(3) Take the Vallon de l’Enfer path, next to the shelter, leaving the track that heads off to the left. Reach marker 90 after a fairly steep climb: steps, steps carved into the rock, a dozen hairpin bends and finally a flat section on the scree.
(4) Continue westwards, rejoining the track to reach the shore of Lac Long Supérieur, then the Refuge des Merveilles.
(5) From the refuge, head south-west to rejoin theGR®®52.
(6) On the left, heading south, join theGR®®52and stay on it until you reach the Baisse du Camp d’Argent. Follow this magnificent path as it winds its way between the lakes Fourca, du Trem and de la Muta. After a final climb, you’ll reach the first Lac du Diable (marker 404).
(7) Turn left and head south, easily reaching the Pas du Diable, a clear pass between Mont Macruera on the left and the Cime du Diable on the right.
(8) Begin the descent into a Caïros valley ((9) spring) bordered by Mont Macrura and Mont Capelet Supérieur. On the path, your eyes will be drawn to a fortress overlooking a peak, in the distance towards L’Authion. Reach La Baisse Cavaline.
(10) Continue south-west, passing at the foot of the Cime de Raus and reaching the pass of the same name. Note the blockhouses of the outpost between the Col de Raus and the Cime de Tuor, with the fortress of the three communes (Marker 406) still in view.
(11) The Col de Raus is a crossroads: ignore the cross-country paths to the left and right that link the Vésubie valley and the Roya valley. Stay on theGR®®52, keeping the Pointe des Trois Communes in your sights. Descend a little further to the Baisse de Saint-Véran, where the remains of a blockhouse can be found (Marker 409).
(12) The fortress comes into clearer view; the “Redoute des Trois Communes” is now clearly visible and seems within reach. Regain your energy to climb towards this fortified tower.
(13) After a well-deserved break at this vantage point, head for marker 410, walk westwards, passing the old Authion barracks. Descend to the monument at Baisse de Tueis (marker 244).
(14) Follow the RD68 until you reach a ski lift.
(15) Follow the path to the right at the foot of the ski lift, climb up to the small, hillock-shaped summit and rejoin the RD68. You’ll easily reach the Baisse du Camp d’Argent, pass the “l’Estive” lodge and then the “l’Authion” restaurant, and find marker 31 on the left.
(16) Turn left onto the path that descends to the Col de Turini, running alongside the D68. You’ll come out onto the road at marker 30.
(17) Continue along this road to the Col de Turini to reach your accommodation for the night (E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Moderate 
