Lantosque walks

A pleasant hike thanks to its diversity. Wooded areas with different species of trees, beautiful views, ancient trails including the Crête des Martourins, and a finale in this little aquatic paradise where the elephant is located, a swimming spot once known mainly to the people of Lantosquois and its surroundings.

A very beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Vésubie Valley. The imposing Villette ridge overlooks the return trail. The route between points (8) and (9) bears witness to an ancestral agricultural past.

In the heart of the magnificent Turini Forest (3,500 hectares), the pass of the same name (1,674 metres) marks the climatic boundary between the Mediterranean hinterland of Nice and the mountainous "high country". Olive groves give way to fir, beech and larch forests, which are ablaze with colour in autumn. Throughout this loop, you will enjoy superb views of the entire region, including the Mounier, the Cime du Diable and the Vallon de la Maïris.

A short circular forest offering views of the mountains towards the Mediterranean, as well as the peaks of the Mercantour.

From the Col de Turini, the trail climbs steadily towards the Cime de la Calmette, alternating between forest and open areas. The ascent is via a wide, safe path to the summit, which offers a beautiful view of the valley. The crossing to the Baisse de Patronel follows a pleasant path. The return journey, along a balcony path, becomes more challenging in places, with a few narrow passages requiring caution. A varied, bright and panoramic route, ideal for hikers accustomed to mountain terrain. Time: approximately 4 hours.

A lovely, easy forest hike. Some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

In April 1945, the entire Authion massif was the scene of fighting that led to the liberation of the Alpes-Maritimes. This route passes through the main fortifications of the Alpes-Maritimes fortified sector (SFAM). Apart from its historical significance, this circular route offers magnificent panoramic views of the high peaks of the Mercantour to the north and the Mediterranean to the south.

Starting from the Col de Porte, a panoramic hike between the Vésubie Valley and the Paillons Valley offers a splendid view of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Mercantour mountain range.

This area with its four fortifications located at high altitude was the scene of fierce fighting, both in 1793 when the French invaded the County of Nice, and in April 1945, during one of the last battles between the German army and the Allies. These stone and cement structures, bearing multiple cannon and gunshot marks, bear witness to the violence of these final confrontations.

Located on the borders of the Vésubie, Bévéra and Roya valleys, Authion is the southernmost peak in the Alps above 2,000 metres. Hiking its three peaks (Pointe des Trois Communes, Forca and Mille Fourches) offers magnificent panoramic views between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour massif. It is also an opportunity to discover its ancient military forts, which guarded the French-Italian border from the end of the19th century until the end of the Second World War.

A loop starting from Utelle, a charming village perched in the Vésubie Valley. The first part is wild and rocky on a ledge above the Vésubie, followed by a gentle climb through an amazing forest of terraced fields. The final climb, steeper up to the Crête de la Madone d'Utelle, offers a 360° view of the coastline, the Var Valley, the peaks of the Mercantour and the Nice hinterland. Finally, the descent offers numerous views of the village of Utelle.

From the village of Utelle, this hike leads to a fairly steep rocky outcrop. On a clear day, the Brec d'Utelle offers a 360° panorama from the Mercantour to the gulfs of the Côte d'Azur. This hike is almost entirely along theGR®5. Caution: footbridges and very tricky sections in the final ascent.

Hike along the Authion border, climb the Cime du Diable (2,685 m), with views of the lakes of the Vallée des Merveilles and its ancient rock carvings.

Ascent to the "cursed" ruins of Rocca Sparviera. Shorter alternative to the ascent via Coaraze. An easy walk but very steep at the end. Not recommended with very young children.

Capelet Inférieur is one of the southernmost peaks of the Mercantour. The viewpoint over the 3000-metre peaks of Gélas, Malédie and Clapier is superb, with beautiful panoramic views over the Gordolasque valley and, on a clear day, the Baie des Anges in Antibes.

A circular hike starting from the Férisson cattle shed and passing through all the ridges around the Férisson cirque. Superb views all along the way, with the sea on one side and the Mercantour peaks on the other. As the end of the route is off-trail and unmarked, a good sense of direction and route-finding skills are essential.

A circular forest hike passing by the old Eguisse Mine, with a return trip to the Saint-Michel Chapel and the ruins of Rocca Sparvièra.

This is a beautiful circuit that allows you to discover the valleys of Gouitrous and Ponset, including the Lacs de Prals, Mont Ponset and the Cime de Paranova. You will see many chamois and marmots throughout the circuit.

This beautiful circular route takes you from valley to valley, each time revealing a new landscape, from a wild valley to the lakes around the Refuge des Merveilles in a stunning rocky setting.

The GR®52 starts in Saint-Dalmas de Valdeblore. This first stage is a transition to reach the starting point of the GR®.This is a lovely hike that passes through the small resort of La Colmiane and offers a relatively easy climb, following the GR®52 A through the woods for just over 6km.

A magnificent viewpoint, the summit of Caïre Gros, between the Tinée and Vésubie valleys, offers superb views of the Franco-Italian mountain range and the main peaks of the Mercantour.

A very beautiful circular in one of the wildest valleys in the Southern Alps. It offers landscapes of rare beauty in an exceptional setting. The refuge is a welcome place to take a break. Keep an eye out for wildlife: chamois, marmots (outside hibernation period) and ibex.

A very pleasant family walk in the Gordolasque Valley, with no particular difficulties and wonderful scenery.

Mont Clapier (3,045 m) is one of the five 3,000-metre peaks in the Alpes-Maritimes, and probably the most accessible. The ascent does not present any particular technical difficulties, but you do need a good sense of direction to navigate the scree slopes from the Lacs du Mont Clapier. At the summit, there is a superb panorama of the peaks from the Italian-Swiss border to Corsica, passing through the Po plain, the ever-isolated Mont Viso, and closer by, Mont Bégo, Grand Capelet, Gélas and Argentera.

This round trip will give you a 600m elevation gain in 4 hours and allow you to enjoy this magnificent lake. Moderator's addition on 22/07/2021: Please note! Access to the lake is now impossible due to damage caused by Storm Alex. See the reviews at the bottom of this page

This magnificent circular will take you to the two main peaks of the Vallée des Merveilles: Mont du Grand Capelet and Mont Bego. You will encounter numerous chamois around the Pas de l'Arpette and Lac Autier.

A beautiful loop in the Gordolasque valley that takes you close to five lakes, including the superb Lac Autier and Lac Niré. There are also some beautiful waterfalls, including the vast Cascade de l'Estrech. Numerous chamois can be seen throughout the hike. A few ibex and marmots can be spotted below the Lac de la Fous dam.

Discover the Gordolasque Valley and the Mercantour.

The destination of a hike starting from Pont du Countet, the traditional entry point to the Vallée des Merveilles, Lac Long is relatively uncrowded and exudes an atmosphere of serenity in its rocky setting dominated by the elegant Cime de la Malédie. Reaching this lake allows you to enter a wild and mineral valley located near the very popular Refuge de Nice. Ibex and chamois will probably be your only companions.

Mont des Merveilles or Caïre des Conques is a peak located between the Vallée des Merveilles and the Vallée de la Gordolasque. This hike from Pont du Countet will take you up Pas de l'Arpette via Vallon d'Empuonrame. On the agenda: beautiful panoramic views of several lakes and the peaks of the Mercantour, as well as encounters with chamois and marmots if you're lucky.

This hike is mostly off-trail, with significant elevation gain, and is reserved for experienced walkers. The view from the summit of Grand Capelet, at the crossroads of the Gordolasque, Merveilles and Valmasque valleys, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Mercantour.Please take note of the practical information.

Discover the Vallée des Merveilles by connecting the Vallée de la Gordolasque to the famous Refuge des Merveilles.

Four-day route in the Mercantour Massif. Passing through the unmissable Vallée des Merveilles, continuing on to the Refuges de Nice and Madone de Fenestre, then ending the circular at Pont du Countet, the terminus of the Gordolasque valley road.

This is a beautiful circuit that allows you to discover the Baus de la Frema and Mont Pétoumier with incredible views of the Argentera and Gélas massifs, then the Lacs de Millefonts with the final climb to Mont Pépoiri, which offers an extraordinary panorama of the entire Mercantour and the middle country.