Nice Mountain Hut – Madone de Fenestre Mountain Hut

(S) From the Refuge de Nice, go down the steps to the small bridge.

(1) Turn left onto the^GR®52towards the Pas du Mont Colomb. Just before the Lac de la Fous dam, look out for a path that climbs northwards.

Please note: from point 2 to point 7, the path is rated T3 and is suitable for experienced walkers.

(2) At the junction, turn right and head north along the well-marked path leading to Lac Long.

(3) Keep to the right-hand side of the lake and continue due north, following the numerous cairns closely. The slope is gentle until you reach three-quarters of the way round the lake. Then, climb westwards to reach the Terrasse du Gélas.
Continue north-north-west along the path over scree alternating with grassy slopes that become increasingly steep. Head up a final, steep gully to reach an almost flat scree slope.
At this point (the highest point of the walk), the Cime du Gélas is directly opposite and the Balcon du Gélas is to the right. Behind you, the gap offers views of Lac Long and the Cime de la Malédie.

(4) Turn left, heading south-west, down a wide scree gully to begin the descent. Continue to lose altitude over the well-marked scree until you reach Lac Blanc, which is clearly visible.

(5) Ignore the path branching off to the left and head towards Lac Blanc, reaching its southern shore. Walk along the lake.

(6) Cross the stream – this is the Source de la Vésubie, which rises here. Follow a path marked with cairns to join the track coming from the Col du Saint-Robert. Continue to Lac Mort; this lake is dry.
Stay on a clear but occasionally steep path to join the track coming from Lac de Fenestre.

(7) Carry on straight ahead along a very good path until you reach the junction with the^GR®52.

(8) Head south-west to finish the stage on a ‘boulevard’ (^GR®52) to the Madone de Fenestre refuge (E).

• This route includes a long section rated T3.
• A quick reminder about route ratings: see this page.

• The duration calculated by the Visorando software is very optimistic. The terrain does not allow for such a fast pace, either on the ascent or the descent. Allow 6 to 7 hours instead

• Madone de Fenestre Mountain Hut

• The Cime de la Malédie.
• The Cime du Gelas.
• The Balcon du Gélas (3,073 m) – an additional 130 m of elevation gain. This can be tackled during this hike if the sky is clear (which wasn’t the case on the day of this stage).
• Mont Saint Robert.
• Lac Blanc, which is the source of the Vésubie.