Valmasque refuge

de fr

A very beautiful hike, especially the part where you leave the 4x4 track and arrive at the waterfalls.

Details

n°69188
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 575 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 579 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,227 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,710 m
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Photos

Climbing towards the waterfall
Julie Waterfall
Valmasque refuge
The refuge and Lac Vert

Description of the walk

The route is simple. From the hamlet of Casterino in the commune of Tende, take the narrow road after the Hôtel du Chamois to the end, where the car park at marker 394 marks the start of the hike.

(S/E) Follow the track, also used by 4x4s, to marker 374. After 35 minutes, you will pass marker 393, which leads to Lac de l'Agnel if you turn right.

(1) At marker 374 (1 hour 10 minutes), the track becomes a path. The path runs parallel to the stream, which descends gently through a small, very green valley. You will then arrive at some beautiful waterfalls (1 hour 35 minutes), one descending from Lac Vert (the one on the right) and the other from the left, which in my opinion is the most beautiful as you can see it on three levels.

(2) From there, the trail climbs more steeply, but it is well paved, allowing you to reach marker 98, which offers a choice between the Vallée des Merveilles or the Valmasque refuge.

(3) Turn right to reach the Valmasque refuge in ten minutes.

(4) Return via the same route to get back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,715 m - Car park at marker 394. Close to the - Bieugne (torrent) - Affluent de la Roya
  2. 1 : km 3.46 - alt. 1,963 m - Marker 374
  3. 2 : km 4.59 - alt. 2,072 m - Waterfalls
  4. 3 : km 5.48 - alt. 2,202 m - Marker 98 - Lac+Vert (Mercantour)
  5. 4 : km 5.97 - alt. 2,224 m - Refuge de Valmasque
  6. S/E : km 11.95 - alt. 1,715 m - Car park at marker 394

Notes

(4) From there, you can visit the other two lakes, Lac Noir and Lac Basto, but the weather was against us and we were forced to spend the afternoon and night at the refuge. The next day, the descent by the same route took 1 hour and 45 minutes.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

We encounter some very friendly chamois, who are just as curious as we are.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
vortex5
vortex5
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to do with the family. Magnificent landscapes, abundant flora and fauna that are not shy at all.

We also spent the night at the refuge, where the atmosphere was very friendly and the food was excellent.

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postikim
postikim
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In fact, we did this hike just for the descent because we started the hike from the Merveilles refuge, passing three lakes (Lake Basto, Lake Noir and Lake Vert, where the Valmasque refuge is located).
Of course, it's a very beautiful hike! But if you don't go to see Lac Noir, it would be a real shame because the area around Lac Noir is very, very beautiful (the most beautiful of the three lakes, in my opinion) and from the Valmasque refuge, it only takes an extra hour or hour and a half to walk there and back.

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Steph and co
Steph and co

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route as described in the reviews, superb hike along the water. Majestic waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. The peaceful refuge lake accompanied by chamois completes the wonder.
However, the route marked on Visorando at kilometre 4 is 50 metres off course.
Regarding the difficulty: I agree with the reviews that consider it to be of medium difficulty ++. To be done in dry weather as there is a risk of slipping on the rocks.

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Kiwi06
Kiwi06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike from start to finish! Water is everywhere (rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes), the vegetation is pleasantly varied (trees and meadows, lots of flowers at this time of year) and the wildlife is very visible (a doe and her fawn, a few chamois and lots of ibex, often in groups and with young).
To be done again and again!

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Sophie Garcia
Sophie Garcia

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike
Lots of ibex

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groupo segundo
groupo segundo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great race, the route is well marked.

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Santoni
Santoni

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike with breathtaking scenery.
Mild weather. We encountered numerous marmots during our hike.
Perfect signage.

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cldmr
cldmr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful climb to the refuge; easy trail, excellent park signage. Ibexes waiting around the refuge.

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ergador
ergador

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

On the way there, I passed through the Valmasque forest (left bank). The weather was favourable, so I went as far as Lake Basto. The difficulty increased after Lake Vert. The total distance was 14.5 km. Duration (actual walking time): 5 hours 50 minutes. Highest point: 2,346 m. Total elevation gain: 902 m

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Bassem J.
Bassem J.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike.
A magnificent location (lake, river, waterfall, wildlife, etc.)
Highly recommended

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Nicorando27
Nicorando27

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This hike is not particularly difficult, especially as the elevation gain is very gradual. It is even more interesting to climb up to the refuge in summer when it is still open and enjoy a refreshing drink
A refreshing walk with a river, waterfall and lake. Great for families. The sun will show the lake off to its best advantage.

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gouzbew
gouzbew

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely hike with lots of marmots and chamois to see!

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garlaban+2
garlaban+2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike in the Valmasque valley surrounded by marmots and chamois. A very warm welcome at the Valmasque refuge
Visorando's support was perfect
Christian

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Walking Circular: Lac de l'Agnel - small pass de la Charnassère - Lac Noir - Valmasque

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Walking Circular of Valmasque and Fontanalbe

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↔21.89 km ↗+1,093 m ↘-1,093 m ◔9h 25 ▲Difficult
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This magnificent circular takes you through the Valmasque and Fontanalbe valleys, with no fewer than five lakes and picture-postcard landscapes. It is a long but gradual hike with very few difficult sections.

Walking Lac Vert de Fontanalba and Voie Sacrée

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This hike takes place in a very green valley, punctuated by a pretty little lake that takes on the colour of its surroundings. You can admire the pictograms of the Sacred Way (like those in the Vallée des Merveilles). The whole area is dominated by Mont Bégo.

Walking From Valmasque to Lac des Mesches via Mont Bégo

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De la Valmasque au Lac des Mesches par le Mont Bégo
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Hike to one of the largest lakes in the Mercantour National Park, surrounded by ibex and chamois.

Walking The Baisse d'Ourne de Castérino

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La Baisse d'Ourne de Castérino
↔9.81 km ↗+561 m ↘-565 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
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A very pretty hike, offering beautiful views of the Alps, including Monts Bégo, Clapier and Grand Capelet, in the upper part. The return journey is along a very pleasant, unmarked, little-used wooded path. In total, there is a small elevation gain of 490 m, which will help you get back into shape.

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