Lake Scluos and Mollières via the Salèse valley

The walk starts from the Salèse car park, at the entrance to the Mercantour National Park.

(S/E) Head towards the Col de Salèse, following the red and white markings of^{the GR®} 52.

(1) From this pass, descend on the other side, heading towards Mollières and the Col Mercière until you reach marker 267.

(2) Leave the^GR® and head towards Col Mercière on the right, as indicated by marker 267. The route follows a wide but very pleasant forest track.

(3) Take the path which climbs slightly to the right through the forest towards the north-east (a cairn on the track marks the start). Then follow a relatively well-marked trail, dotted with a few cairns, which leads to Lac Scluos.

(4) At the lake, return along the path you took on the way there.

(3) Back on the track, turn right and follow it until you reach marker 265.

(5) Head down to the left towards Mollières on an unmarked but well-trodden path.

(6) At marker 263, join the Col de Salèse road and continue down towards Mollières (which you’ll reach in ten minutes).

(7) Once you reach the hamlet, do take the time to walk around it before returning to marker 263.

(6) Follow the signs for the Col de Salèse along the Col de Salèse road, as far as the small pass cattle shed. You can easily cut across some of the hairpin bends on the track.

(8) At the Collet cattle shed, you’ll join the^GR® 52, which descends from the Col du Barn. Then follow the red and white markings to return to marker 267, which you passed on the way out.

(2) Back at marker 267, follow the route taken on the way there via the Col de Salèse in the opposite direction to reach the Salèse car park (S/E).

There are no technical difficulties on this walk, the vast majority of which is along tracks.