Morignole – Rifugio Don Barbera

de fr

This first stage will take you into the Marguareis Nature Park from France.
As soon as you enter the park, the karstic panoramas are enchanting and completely different from the crystalline landscapes of the nearby Mercantour. During the ascent, you’ll be far enough back to admire the Mercantour massif from the Authion to the Argentera.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Route through the Marguareis Nature Park

Details

n°1505493
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.22 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,774 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,043 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,418 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,120 ft
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Photos

Rifugio Don Barbera
Col des Seigneurs
Col des Seigneurs
Col des Seigneurs

Description of the walk

From Saint-Dalmas de Tende (06), take the D43 road towards La Brigue. Continue along the D43 to the hamlet of Morignole. Park in the car park or on the road leading into the Morignole valley.

(S) Walk through the hamlet heading north to reach marker 305 (in the centre of the hamlet).

(1) Continue along the path to marker 304, heading north-east.

(2) Turn 90° to the left and climb gently due west to reach marker 303.

(3) Cross the ridge and start a long northward stretch to the right, passing the Oratoire Saint-Dominique, then continue until you reach marker 302 further up.

(4) Continue left along the fairly steeply ascending path to reach the Baisse de Crouseta at the junction of several paths.

(5) Follow the path to the right towards Mont Bertrand until you emerge from the woods. You will reach a junction of several paths at marker 327c.
Note: at the crossroads of paths before the marker, you can take the shortcut opposite to join the path crossing the Cioto de Bertrand.

(6) Leave the Mont Bertrand path on your right and take the path on the left which leads into the Cioto de Bertrand. Begin the long walk due north which takes you to marker 327b.

(7) Continue along the path beneath the Mont Bertrand ridge to reach a small pass between the peaks of L’Évêque and Vélègue. Take in the panoramic views.
Head down to the right, then climb back up towards the Col de l’Évêque. Descend again towards the Col de la Celle Vieille, which you’ll reach at marker 327a.

(8) Take the path on the left towards the Col des Seigneurs. To do this, leave the old military track on your right. Do not go down. You’ll reach this pass at marker 327.

(9) Head down to the right towards the Rifugio Don Barbera, which is clearly visible from the Col dei Signori. Join the old military track to reach the Rifugio Don Barbera (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 3,127 ft - Morignole
  2. 1 : mi 0.07 - alt. 3,209 ft - Marker 305 – signposted ‘Baisse de Crouseta’
  3. 2 : mi 0.33 - alt. 3,346 ft - Marker 304
  4. 3 : mi 0.68 - alt. 3,829 ft - Marker 303
  5. 4 : mi 1.53 - alt. 4,619 ft - Marker 302
  6. 5 : mi 2.39 - alt. 5,486 ft - Marker 312 – Baisse de Crouseta
  7. 6 : mi 3.35 - alt. 6,453 ft - Exit from the Woods
  8. 7 : mi 4.73 - alt. 7,405 ft - Marker 327b
  9. 8 : mi 5.79 - alt. 6,870 ft - Col de la Celle Vieille
  10. 9 : mi 7.12 - alt. 6,913 ft - Marker 327 Colle dei Signori
  11. E : mi 7.22 - alt. 6,844 ft - Rifugio Don Barbera

Notes

Reviews and comments

henrigole
henrigole

Hello,
I think you’re referring to the whole 5-day route.

There are indeed a few streams, often with a low flow, and I’m not sure if the water is safe to drink. To be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought as I take my own supply of water (2 to 2.5 litres per person per day). I did this hike in September 2018 and a shorter, 3-day variant in September 2019, and it was still very hot. There is, of course, water at the mountain huts, although last year the Rifugio Don Barbera was on water restrictions (no showers). Apart from the first day, which includes a few sections through woodland, most of the route is in open country. I don’t know if you’re planning to stay in a mountain hut, but you’ll need to book in advance, particularly at Don Barbera, which is very popular with cyclists.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions about this route.
Kind regards,
Dominique LABOUROT

Machine-translated

Olivier Be
Olivier Be

Hello,

I’m planning to go on the hike with a group of four to five people in August. I’d like to know the details regarding water supplies. Are there any wells near the mountain huts, or will we need to use other sources (such as rivers) and purify the water? If you have any useful information about this walk that you think is essential, please do let me know!

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Kind regards.

Machine-translated

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