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Lac de Casterino walks
Castérino – Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende
Visorando Member
6.97 mi
+633 ft
-3,451 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
After two days in the high mountains, this route will take you back into the Roya Valley. You’ll look out over the Vallon de Castérino and Lac des Mesches, before descending rapidly to Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende via the Chemin des Bois.
Walks near Lac de Casterino
Ascent to the Merveilles refuge from Lac des Mesches
4.74 mi
+2,487 ft
-46 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
The Refuge des Merveilles can be a destination in itself or the starting point for a guided tour of the petroglyphs or other hikes. The climb to the refuge via Lac des Mesches takes 3 hours and 15 minutes (excluding breaks) and has the advantage of being accessible by car or public transport (see "Practical Information").
La Minière de Vallauria - Col de Turini
12.49 mi
+4,009 ft
-3,635 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
Thissecond stage is the most alpine of the three. At the Refuge des Merveilles, you’ll admire the beauty of the landscapes, from the Cime du Diable to the Vallon des Merveilles. You’ll pass several lakes before descending into a more Mediterranean-style valley at the Pas du Diable. With the Redoute des Trois Communes in sight for much of the way, you’ll walk along the old border ridge, dotted with defensive structures. Near the Authion, numerous ruins will remind you of the end of the last war.
From Casterino to the Refuge des Merveilles via Mont Bégo
7.66 mi
+3,917 ft
-2,034 ft
6h 55
Very difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
Second stage of the five-day Vievola–Saint-Martin Vesubie hike.
⚠️ 18/08/2026: Route amended at point 4.
From Castérino to the Refuge des Merveilles
8.31 mi
+3,058 ft
-1,736 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
The first part of the magnificent circular walk starting from Castérino to explore the Vallée des Merveilles, passing by the Refuge de Fontanalba, the rock carvings in the Nature Reserve and the Voie Sacrée, and finishing at the Refuge des Merveilles.
From Valmasque to Lac des Mesches via Mont Bégo
13.66 mi
+4,006 ft
-5,118 ft
10 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This long one-way hike (two vehicles required) will take you up the pretty Valmasque Valley and its three beautiful lakes to the pass above the Vallée des Merveilles, before climbing to the summit of Mont Bégo via a sometimes steep and slightly vertiginous path, in an area where you may encounter magnificent ibex.
Finally, there is a very long descent to the lakes around the Refuge des Merveilles, then through the Vallon de la Minière to Lac des Mesches.
Castérino – Nice Mountain Hut
8.98 mi
+4,928 ft
-3,258 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This first stage takes you from the bottom of the Roya Valley to the Nice Refuge. The proposed route is longer and more difficult than the one via the Baisse du Basto, but much less busy. On this demanding detour, you’ll enjoy the passage over the Pas de l’Agnel, the stretch into Italy as far as the Pas de Pagari, stopping off at the Rifugio Pagari, nestled against the summit of the Malédie. During the descent to the Refuge de Nice, you’ll enjoy the tranquillity of the Lacs Clapier.
From the Refuge des Merveilles to L'Authion via the Pas du Diable
6.11 mi
+1,850 ft
-2,159 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
A beautiful classic route on theGR®®52. As you progress along this three-part itinerary, you will appreciate the beauty of the lakes up to the Pas du Diable, then the very chaotic landscape at the foot of the Cime du Diable and Mont Capelet Supérieur. Finally, after the Baisse Cavaline, you will enter a more Mediterranean setting to discover the Authion massif, a historic site during the end of the Second World War.
Refuge des Merveilles - Refuge de Nice
5.43 mi
+2,543 ft
-2,201 ft
4h 45
Difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This itinerary allows you to discover the wonders of this valley. In particular, the famous engravings such as Christ, the Tribal Chief and the Altar Rock. But be careful, these areas are monitored!
Refuge des Merveilles – Castérino
8.31 mi
+2,703 ft
-4,058 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This final stage will take you back to Castérino via the ascent of Mont Bégo. From the summit, you’ll look out over the Vallée des Merveilles. You’ll catch sight of the neighbouring peak opposite, the Grand Capelet. You’ll enjoy a 360° panorama stretching from the Argentera to the Mediterranean.
You’ll need to be careful on the first part of the descent towards the Baisse de Valmasque (rated T3).
From the Baisse de Valmasque, the return journey follows the classic route that runs alongside the Lacs du Basto, Noir and Vert.
Refuge des Merveilles - Baisse de Camp
8.26 mi
+1,946 ft
-3,150 ft
5h 30
Difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
The fifth stage ofthe GR®52, where southern landscapes give way to mountain scenery. Challenging due to its elevation gain, this stage follows the old Italian border, where you’ll discover numerous military remains. Notably at Authion, where one of the last battles in France took place, resulting in the deaths of 273 French soldiers just a few weeks before the armistice of 8 May 1945. The views here are fabulous.