Marmora walks

The village of Macra is ideally situated to start this route. A car park on the outskirts of the village, the Maira stream which is truly at the heart of these seven stages, and small, well-kept hamlets to help you get into the spirit of Occitania. Along the way, you’ll see votive pillars, religious frescoes on the façades of some houses and numerous chapels. At the end of the route, the hamlet of Ruata Valle is entirely dedicated to the Locanda Codirosso.

This 7-stage route takes place in Val Maira, one of the four valleys of Occitan Piedmont. This mountainous valley, devoid of ski resorts, has successfully showcased its cultural heritage. Numerous stone hamlets with slate-roofed houses have been restored. In these valleys, every effort is made to give hikers a warm welcome. Since 1992, a very well-signposted route has offered a wide choice of stopover lodges where Occitan cuisine is served.

On this fourth day, you will continue along the left bank of the Maira. At Punta Culour, the highest point on this bank, a magnificent view to the west over the peaks on the border with France awaits you. You will then descend back down to the Maira river at Acceglio to cross over to the other bank. You will climb up the Unerzio valley to reach Chialvetta.

Before setting off on this third stage, take a moment to admire Monte Chersogno in the distance, which rises to over 3,000 metres. You’ll pass through more charming little villages in Chiosso before tackling the pleasant climb up Colle San Michele. After a long descent, you’ll pass through two more hamlets: Cesani and Castiglione. In Ussolo, you’ll be in for another culinary treat at the Locanda La Carlina. The vegetables come from the small vegetable patch adjoining the typically Occitan building.

Circular hike from the beautiful village of Sambuco in the Valle Stura, Provence of Cuneo. The high point is Monte Bersaio directly above the village. The majority of the walk is through high alpine meadows. If done in late June or early July there will be a profusion of wildflowers and the final meadows, just below the summit of Monte Bersaio, are full of Edelweiss.

On thissecond day of the Tour of Mount Aiga from the Ferrere Refuge, you will pass through Plan de Belvédère, where there is a tin shelter overlooking the Rio Forneris valley and a fountain. You will also pass below Lake Emma, Monte Peiron at 2,796 m and Pointe Testa di Garbe at 2,749 m, to arrive, after a few hairpin bends, at Col de Fer at 2,584 m. You will then head towards Small Pass of Tortisse and the Vens Refuge, the end of this stage.

This trail passes through the Aisone Caves Nature Reserve, established by the Piedmont Region in 2019 to protect and promote the biodiversity and archaeological site. The route passes through a beautiful mixed woodland on the hillside, skirting several caves, including the famous Shelter 10, where traces of a seasonal Neolithic settlement have been found. The return journey takes you above the rocky outcrops of La Comba, passing through the small hamlet of Pirone.

This route takes you on a circular hike up Mont Ténibre on the Italian side, starting from the Alfredo Talarico Refuge. The route passes by the Ervedo Zanotti Refuge and Lake Mongioie. The final 500 metres, between the Pas de Ténibre and the summit, are within the Mercantour National Park.

Last stage of this trek around Chambeyron mountain range, taking you back to France through Col de Sautron. You'll find yourself in superb wildlife setting when arriving at the pass.

A lovely stage featuring a beautiful climb to the Stroppia Waterfall and the Lac des Neuf Couleurs.

A lovely circular walk to the Italian Lake Apsoi, starting not far from the Col de Larche.

One of the most beautiful lakes in Haute-Ubaye. An easy hike with a slightly steep start, but it can be shortened if necessary.

A magnificent and very varied hike, offering superb panoramic views of numerous peaks and lakes. Numerous military remains bear witness to the strategic importance of this summit (bunkers, shelters, tunnels, cable car with the wheel still in place). The return route, equipped with chains and handrails on a fairly short section, then follows a splendid balcony path in a dolomitic landscape. This is an aerial route, so you must not be prone to vertigo.

This is a pleasant hike, starting off easy and leading to Lac du Lauzanier. Hikers will encounter many marmots, lakes and waterfalls, ending with a beautiful view from Pas de la Cavale.

A beautiful family hike with the chance to see marmots just a few metres from the path (from the start and also at the lake).

Before descending back to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, you climb to the Cime du Fer (2,700 m), which offers a superb 360° view, notably of the Tête de Moïse (3,104 m) and the magnificent Mont Viso (3,841 m). Then we descend alongside the Tortisse torrent before heading back towards the Lacs de Vens and climbing up to the Lac des Babarottes. We continue along a section of the Chemin de l’Énergie until we catch sight of Mont Ténibre. We then finish with a long descent (-1,200 m) down to the village.

Thisthird and final stage of the Tour du Mont Aiga starts from the Refuge de Vens and crosses a balcony below the slopes of the Aiguilles de Tortisse to the north-east of the Lacs de Vens. After passing the Crête de la Côte and descending to the Maisons Forestières de Tortisse, you will walk along a balcony path beneath the slopes of the Tête des Mourres to reach the Morgon plateau and climb back up to Laussets and finally to the Lacs de Morgon. At the large Morgon lake, you will descend eastwards into Salso Moréno to rejoin the path of thefirst stage and Camp des Fourches. It is possible to see chamois early in the morning and, of course, marmots throughout the day.

The final day is less demanding than the previous one, consisting entirely of a descent. It’s a chance to walk the ‘Chemin de l’Énergie’ one last time before a long descent to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée.

After a night at the Rabuons Mountain Hut, you’ll be ready to climb Mont Ténibre, the main highlight of this second stage. The route is challenging but you’ll be richly rewarded by the panoramic views that await you. To the south, you’ll recognise the Refuge de Rabuons and the lake; to the north and west, there are numerous lakes and the peaks on the border with Italy. After a more leisurely walk along the Chemin de l’Énergie, the scenery will become more pastoral as you approach the Lacs de Vens. You are now in the Mercantour National Park; there are regulations to be observed, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to €1,500 – please see the practical information.

A little-known viewpoint above the Lakes of Vens and Babarottes. A 360° panorama stretching from Mont Ténibre to Mont Mounier, as well as the Tête de l’Enchastraye and the Cime de Pal...

This is a variation on the traditional hikes to the magnificent lakes of Vens. Although the last section on tarmac between Le Pra and the car park at the start is not the most attractive, this circular route takes you through both the Vens and Tortisse valleys, with a more pleasant climb along the torrent and a breathtaking descent from the Col de Fer.

A magnificent hike in the Haute-Tinée offering varied panoramas and one of the most beautiful series of lakes in the Mercantour! The climb from Le Pra is gradual and easy, with the Cime de la Bonnette behind you. You then pass under the strange Aiguilles de Tortisse before arriving at the Col du Fer (view of Mont Viso). After the Collet de Tortisse, you arrive at the arch, where you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the Lacs de Vens and the peaks of the Trou de l'Âne!

A first day to stretch your legs and discover the magnificent natural setting of the Vens lakes. Note: as this route ends in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, it is advisable, if possible, to park a second car in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to shuttle back to the starting point. Otherwise, allow around €25 for the taxi journey from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to Le Pra, but please note that booking is required a few hours in advance.

A very long day criss-crossing the border. But what breathtaking scenery! And you won’t be bothered by the neighbours... there’s little chance of coming across other two-legged creatures. But perhaps some ibex, vultures, including (apparently) a pair of bearded vultures.

A long and demanding circular in the Mercantour National Park that will first take you to Lac de Rabuons, the largest lake in the Alpes-Maritimes, which is worth the detour in itself, before climbing Mont Ténibre, the highest peak in the Tinée at 3,031 metres. You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information. Read the reviews before committing.

First stage of a two-day hike in the Haute-Tinée. Ascent to the magnificent Lacs de Vens and the small pass of Tortisse via the Claï valley and Lac des Babarottes. Plenty of marmots and chamois around the Lacs de Vens and below the small pass of Tortisse.

This first stage will take you to the Rabuons mountain hut, on the shores of the largest lake in the Alpes-Maritimes.The landscape is very rocky. You’ll come across plenty of Italians, as just across the border there are several mountain huts offering lovely routes via the nearby Pas de l’Ischiator. ⚠️ Allow around 4 hours for an average hiker in good physical condition to complete this walk.

A hike to discover the Ténibres valley from both sides as well as the architecture of the region.

This morning route is an alternative to the Bois d'Anelle loop, passing via the Cime d'Anelle. The first section climbs through the Ublan countryside, then crosses the woods in the shade of the fir trees.

There are several ways to circumnavigate this mountain: closer to the summit or further away. But this suggested route allows you to walk around the Argentera via the lakes and the King Victor Emmanuel II trails, always with a view of the Argentera and, of course, a comforting stop at the mountain huts every evening. The stages are fairly well balanced in terms of the effort required, so let’s set off on the tour.