Lauvet d'Ilonse

de fr

The Lauvet d’Ilonse walk is very accessible. Mostly following the ridge line, it offers views of many surrounding peaks: the Mounier to the north-west and numerous Mercantour peaks on the border with Italy.

Details

n°32305295
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,799 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,776 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,532 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,724 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

On the road to the Tinée, just after La Bollinette, turn left onto the road leading up to Ilonse, drive through the village and park at the Col de la Sinne.

(S/E) From marker 220, take the path heading north towards Col des Fouches, Alpagno Soupran and Lauvet d'Ilonse until you reach marker 221.

(1) Leave the path and head right towards the east to climb Mont d’Ilonse. This round trip takes about 1 hour.

(2) Enjoy the view, then return via the same route as on the way up to marker 221.

(1) Turn right to resume the climb towards the Col des Fourches and marker 222.

(3) Continue straight on towards Lauvet d'Ilonse and Baisse de Tavanières. The route continues northwards and passes close to the Bergerie de la Clap. You then begin the eastern bypass of Lauvet d'Ilonse to reach marker 308 north of the summit.

(4) At marker 308 (or slightly before, according to the IGN map), turn left and climb towards Lauvet d'Ilonse.

(5) The Lauvet d'Ilonse (1,992m) is the highest point of this hike, but the vast grassy plateau known as Pra Nègre Soubran consists of several small domes to traverse. This spot should be ideal for a picnic.
Head back down south then south-east and rejoin the path taken on the way up.

(6) Follow it southwards, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, passing markers 222, then 221 and finally 220 (S/E). See During the hike or nearby.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,724 ft - Car park - Col de la Sinne (1437m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.71 - alt. 4,928 ft - Marker 221
  3. 2 : mi 1.03 - alt. 5,850 ft - Le Mont (d'Ilonse)
  4. 3 : mi 1.62 - alt. 5,118 ft - Col des Fourches (1558m)
  5. 4 : mi 3.75 - alt. 6,063 ft - Marker 308
  6. 5 : mi 4.21 - alt. 6,532 ft - Lauvet d'Ilonse
  7. 6 : mi 5.86 - alt. 5,282 ft - Back to the PR
  8. S/E : mi 7.07 - alt. 4,724 ft - Car park - Col de la Sinne (1437m)

Notes

Water point at the Col de la Sinne

Worth a visit

If you stop at L’Ilonse on the way back, you can climb up to the orientation table behind the church for a final panoramic view of the Tinée and the highest peaks of the Mercantour.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 5617666

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Gradual ascent, easy orientation.

Machine-translated

Pat_06000
Pat_06000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely 11.5-kilometre walk with stunning scenery

Machine-translated

bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with a stunning 360-degree view from the summit of Ilonse – thank goodness for GPS on the way back, as the path off the beaten track isn’t signposted.

Machine-translated

merlo christian
merlo christian

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk suitable for everyone, with stunning scenery.
I recommend it

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Lauvet d'Ilonse from Col de la Sinne

Visorando Member
Lauvet d'Ilonse au départ du Col de la Sinne
↔8.41 mi ↗+2,142 ft ↘-2,113 ft ◔5h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Ilonse (Alpes-Maritimes)
A very fine walk in the middle country of the Alpes Maritimes, alternating between open views and coniferous forests. The 360° panorama from the Lauvet d'Ilonse is well worth the diversions: you can see the whole of the Mercantour and the main peaks of the mid-country.

Walking The Mont d'Ilonse circuit

Visorando Member
Le tour du Mont d'Ilonse
↔11.26 mi ↗+3,747 ft ↘-3,727 ft ◔8h 25 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Ilonse (Alpes-Maritimes)
A very pleasant mule track, built by the people of Ilonzo, used for centuries to link the hamlets of Irougne and Le Pous, providing access to farmland and pastures. The path leading to the Col de Fourches is wide but very steep.

Walking Tour of Mont Fracha

Visorando Member
↔7.82 mi ↗+2,753 ft ↘-2,749 ft ◔6h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Thiéry (Alpes-Maritimes)
A wild and varied route around Mont Fracha, revealing forests, valleys and panoramic ridges. A changing landscape on this route marked by traces of ancient human activity, between wooded areas, steep terrain and open views over the landscapes of the Cians and the Tinée.

Walking Brec l'Ilonse from Lieuche via Thiéry

Visorando Member
Brec l'Ilonse depuis Lieuche par Thiéry
↔12.21 mi ↗+4,039 ft ↘-4,009 ft ◔9h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lieuche (Alpes-Maritimes)
A beautiful circular hike starting from the village of Lieuche, taking you to the summit of Brec d'Ilonse, which offers a beautiful view of the Mercantour massif and the village of the same name. The hike passes through the beautiful village of Thiéry, which is well worth a visit. The route is long and requires a good level of fitness, although it does not present any technical difficulties.

Walking Pointe de Clamia and La Séréna from the village of Marie

Visorando Member
La Pointe de Clamia et la Séréna depuis le village de Marie
↔6.38 mi ↗+2,625 ft ↘-2,628 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Marie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This hike is mainly through forest and offers beautiful views of the Alps. The Clamia ridge is a rocky outcrop facing the village of Rimplas, which overlooks the Tinée valley.

Walking The Roman bridge at Thiéry

Visorando Member
Le pont romain de Thiéry
↔2.48 mi ↗+886 ft ↘-883 ft ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Thiéry (Alpes-Maritimes)
A very beautiful and short walk, following a centuries-old path, as evidenced by these two ancient bridges. The bridge and the unmarked wooded path are a lovely discovery. Beautiful views of the village of Thiéry before crossing it.

Walking La Villa Souberre de Thiéry

Visorando Member
La Villa Souberre de Thiéry
↔5.19 mi ↗+1,427 ft ↘-1,427 ft ◔3h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Thiéry (Alpes-Maritimes)
Un joli circuit dans un domaine forestier très agréable aux essences de pins diverses. La montée jusqu'à la Villa Souberre, en pente douce, permet d'admirer les alpages.

Walking The Ilonse circular route via Abéliéra

Visorando Member
La boucle d'Ilonse par Abéliéra
↔10.53 mi ↗+3,379 ft ↘-3,379 ft ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
A very pretty circular route in the Tinée Valley featuring an abandoned hamlet, magnificent climbs through the woods and breathtaking views of several villages in the area.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.