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Madone de Fenestre Refuge walks
The Pas des Ladres via the Col de Fenestre
Visorando Member
4.68 mi
+2,054 ft
-2,041 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
A beautiful loop around the Fenestre valley with Lake Fenestre as its centre point.
Route in the Mercantour
20.23 mi
+9,656 ft
-9,665 ft
4 days
Difficult
Departure from Belvédère (Alpes-Maritimes)
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.
Cime de la Valette and Lake Prals
7.28 mi
+2,523 ft
-2,523 ft
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
From the summit of La Valette, there is a breathtaking view of all the peaks of the Mercantour, La Colmiane and, on a clear day, Cap d'Antibes. You will pass by the five lakes of Le Prals.
Balaour Lakes
3.62 mi
+1,768 ft
-1,768 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This hike in the Vallon de la Madone de Fenestre will take you to the wild lakes of Balaour, a little-visited spot at the foot of the Cime du Gélas, the highest point in the Mercantour.
These lakes are fed by the famous Vésubie river, which rises some 300 metres higher up at Lac Blanc.
Summit of Gélas
7.01 mi
+4,672 ft
-4,672 ft
8 hrs
Extremely difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This route, which is closer to simple mountaineering than standard hiking, provides access to the highest peak in the Mercantour. From the summit, there is an exceptional panorama of the surrounding mountains and a view of the sea, stretching as far as Corsica on a clear day.
The proposed ascent is via the small pass Saint-Robert and the west-southwest ridge, descending via the northeast ridge and the Balcon du Gélas.
Refuge de Nice - Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre
3.36 mi
+1,512 ft
-2,533 ft
2h 50
Difficult
Departure from Belvédère (Alpes-Maritimes)
This route, which runs parallel to the border, is dominated throughout by the large peak of Gélas, the highest summit in the area.
Mercantour route via the GR®52
65.54 mi
+21,585 ft
-24,639 ft
7 days
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
TheGR® 52 is a route that crosses the Mercantour National Park, through the Alpes-Maritimes from Saint-Dalmas-de-Valdeblore to Menton.
ThisGR® route is very challenging due to the varied terrain and significant elevation changes.
You’ll reach altitudes of up to 2,700m, where you can admire the high-mountain landscapes, flora and fauna. Then, in the second half of the route, you’ll encounter panoramas that are more southern in character but just as extraordinary.
Circular route in the Mercantour starting from Castérino
34.52 mi
+16,145 ft
-16,165 ft
5 days
Difficult
Departure from Tende (Alpes-Maritimes)
This challenging route will take you from the Roya Valley in the east to the Gordolasque Valley in the west. Over the course of these five days, you’ll have the chance to pass close to the highest peak in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Gélas. You’ll climb a legendary summit, Mont Bégo. You’ll make your way from valley to valley, crossing a series of mountain passes: the Pas de Pagari, the Pas du Mont Colomb, the Pas du Trem and the Baisse de Valmasque. Every day, chamois, ibex and marmots will keep you company.
Madone de Fenestre refuge - Pont du Countet
7.75 mi
+2,812 ft
-3,642 ft
6h 00
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
Route linking the Vésubie and Gordolasque valleys.
Le Boreon - Refuge de Nice
10.85 mi
+5,971 ft
-3,678 ft
12 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
The most difficult stage of thisGR®, but the most beautiful for its landscapes, flora and fauna: chamois, marmots, ibex.
After the Pas des Ladres, we chose to take theGR®52via the alternative route that passes close to the Col de Fenestre, then descends to Lac de Fenestre before reaching La Madone de Fenestre.
Three sections are particularly difficult: between Lac de Trecolpas and the Pas des Ladres, the ascent of the Pas du Colomb, and the descent from the Pas du Colomb.
Madone de Fenestre Mountain Hut – Relais des Merveilles
6.64 mi
+2,280 ft
-3,343 ft
5h 00
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Martin-Vésubie (Alpes-Maritimes)
This third stage is less demanding than the previous two. The entire route follows a marked path.
Only the start of the descent from the Pas du Mont Colomb and the sections over scree require a little care. This is the classic route linking the Madone de Fenestre valley with the Gordolasque valley. The scenery along the way is magnificent, and the Pas du Mont Colomb offers two completely different views from its eastern and western sides.
Nice Mountain Hut – Madone de Fenestre Mountain Hut
4.88 mi
+2,523 ft
-3,527 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Belvédère (Alpes-Maritimes)
This second day will take you to the foot of the Cime du Gélas (just 200 m below the summit); you’ll walk for a long time alongside Lac Long and the superb Malédie. You’ll then head into another small valley to admire the Cime Saint-Robert. The Lac Blanc, from which the stream flows, is none other than the Vésubie, and of course, the Gélas on its western face. The route will become more familiar and less strenuous once you rejoin the path coming from the Lac de la Fenestre.