Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée - Rabuons Refuge

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This first stage will take you to the Rabuons refuge, on the shores of the largest lake in the Alpes Maritimes.
The landscape is very rocky. You will meet many Italians, as there are several refuges just across the border offering beautiful routes via the nearby Pas de l'Ischiator.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Circuit de Rabuons à Vens par le Mont Ténibre

Details

n°1678888
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,509 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 129 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,523 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,138 m
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Photos

Rabuons
Lake Rabuons
Rabuons Refuge
Rabuons Refuge

Description of the walk

Head to the village of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée. Park in the car park near the Mercantour Park Visitor Centre.

(S) Leave the car park, head towards La Tinée, cross the bridge and go to marker 100, clearly visible after the bridge (signs: Chemin de l'Énergie, Refuge de Rabuons and Lac de Rabuons).

(1) At marker 100, follow the path on the left that runs alongside a stone wall. Continue through a deciduous forest to marker 101.

(2) Turn right towards Rabuons. Continue climbing the winding path through a larch forest until you reach marker 102.

(3) Continue on the right on the path, which continues to wind upwards at a fairly steep gradient. At an altitude of 2,250 metres, the forest thins out. Continue to reach the treeless summit of the ridge and marker 103 nearby.

(4) Turn right towards the Rabuons refuge. Continue along the wide path known as "de l'Énergie", which is almost flat. Reach marker 104.

(5) Head east, still towards Rabuons, pass the EDF house and continue along the wide path to marker 105.

(6) Cross a small bridge and climb up to the Rabuons refuge, which is now clearly visible (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,140 m - Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 1,150 m - Marker 100. Head towards the - Tinée (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.31 - alt. 1,719 m - Beacon 101
  4. 3 : km 2.75 - alt. 1,822 m - Beacon 102
  5. 4 : km 4.71 - alt. 2,383 m - Beacon 103
  6. 5 : km 6.58 - alt. 2,439 m - Beacon 104
  7. 6 : km 7.2 - alt. 2,503 m - Beacon 105
  8. E : km 7.32 - alt. 2,523 m - Rabuons Refuge - Ardon (rivière) Affluent de la Tinée

Notes

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

Worth a visit

  • Rabuons Lakes.
  • Corborant (3,007 m).
  • Pas d'Ischiator.
  • Energy Trail.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
S. Durand
S. Durand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The first two-thirds of the route are through forest, with occasional views of the Auron resort and Le Mounier.
The climb is steady and fairly steep until marker 103 (4.7 km), where the trail becomes much gentler.
The last third of the route (2.5 km) is almost flat, and the view finally opens up over the valley and the peaks overlooking the refuge, which can be seen in the distance.
The arrival at the refuge overlooking the beautiful Lake Rabuons is the main attraction of this walk.
The refuge has a single outdoor shower area and the water is not heated.

In my opinion, this hike is only worthwhile as part of a 2- or 3-day trip.
For a single day's hike, there are many other more interesting mountain routes.

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dolcevita63
dolcevita63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb route through the woods. The elevation gain is significant, and it's satisfying to reach the energy trail. Then it's smooth sailing to the refuge. A great night at the refuge, with a hot shower and excellent food. Four hikers in the dormitory, optimal conditions. The next day, Mount Tenibre.

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Giorgio676
Giorgio676
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
Hike completed on 17 June 2023.

The climb is challenging, with an "official" elevation gain of 1,390 metres from the St Etienne de Tinée bridge to the refuge.

The time it takes to climb will vary greatly depending on your pace and physical condition...
Some people manage to complete this route in 1 hour 45 minutes, while others take 6 hours...
Allow between 3 and 4 hours if you climb at a leisurely but steady pace.

The Chemin de l'Energie allows you to catch your breath a little before the final ascent to the refuge, but stay alert as the drop is very close and a misstep could be disastrous!

Once you reach the refuge, the setting is simply magical!
If you're lucky, you may encounter herds of rather shy mouflons, which are often found near the refuge.

The level of Lake Rabuons will vary depending on EDF water withdrawals.

Charlie, the refuge warden, will be happy to share his mountain wisdom. He is also an excellent cook, serving up delicious, hearty meals!

We are not in the Mercantour, so it is possible to pitch your tent during the day near the lake.

If, like me, you arrive "too" early, you can make a round trip to Ténibre (if there is no snow and the weather is good), but this was not possible on that particular day...
Otherwise, you can simply make a return trip to the Chaffour and Cimon lakes just above the refuge in the direction of Ténibre.

@+

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gjm1959
gjm1959

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice climb up to the energy trail
Slightly disappointed by the very enclosed lake and low water level
Garmin gives me an extra kilometre on the climb
Nice view at the refuge and friendly welcome

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Pierre Andre B.
Pierre Andre B.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in a high mountain setting, ending at the Rabuons refuge nestled in a mineral setting.

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amandjneh
amandjneh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For this first stage, the hike is not particularly difficult technically. The climb through the forest is refreshing. You don't feel the 1,400-metre elevation gain. The Rabuons mountain hut is really great.

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debu patrick
debu patrick
• Edited:

Hello, we are planning a hike in May, so no reviews for the moment. We will be going for three days.
Thank you for the superb hikes suggested on the website.
Kind regards, Patrick.

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