Saint-Martin-Vésubie walks

A magnificent mid-mountain hike offering a variety of landscapes: the village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie, the Boréon forest and, finally, a rocky landscape with a 360° view of the surrounding peaks.

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.

The GR®52 starts in Saint-Dalmas de Valdeblore. This first stage is a transition to reach the starting point of the GR®.This is a lovely hike that passes through the small resort of La Colmiane and offers a relatively easy climb, following the GR®52 A through the woods for just over 6km.

An easy hike offering beautiful views of the Mercantour Massif and, opposite, the Madone de Fenestre valley. You can extend the hike on the mountain pasture towards the Tête du Brec (2566m).

This is a beautiful circuit that allows you to discover the Baus de la Frema and Mont Pétoumier with incredible views of the Argentera and Gélas massifs, then the Lacs de Millefonts with the final climb to Mont Pépoiri, which offers an extraordinary panorama of the entire Mercantour and the middle country.

A magnificent viewpoint, the summit of Caïre Gros, between the Tinée and Vésubie valleys, offers superb views of the Franco-Italian mountain range and the main peaks of the Mercantour.

A beautiful hike in a very shady forest environment, best done in spring or during the warmer months, where you can enjoy this area rich in fir and spruce trees. Finally, enter the fortified village through the old ogival gate to discover what is certainly the oldest of the three villages of Valdeblore.

This twentieth stage marks the end of the crossing of the Mercantour Massif. From Saint-Dalmas, the GR®5 heads south to climb the steep slope towards the Cime de Colmiane, which it bypasses by heading for the Col du Varaire. It crosses the Bois Noir and reaches the Col des Deux Caïres, then the Caïre Gros. The route follows its ridge and, hugging the hillside, passes beneath Mont Chalancha, La Partissuola and the Cime de la Combe before descending to the small pass of Trous. Before the Col du Fort, the path descends to the Granges de la Brasque, crosses the upper part of the Riou du Figaret valley and arrives at the Col d’Andrion. Cutting across the hairpin bends of the M33, the GR®5 reaches the Col des Fournès and the Col de Gratteloup. Through rocky gaps, it runs alongside the Petit Brec d’Utelle and then the Brec d’Utelle. From there, the path descends towards the Crête de l’Albaréa and reaches the Col du Castel Ginesté. It crosses the slope below the ridges of the Têtes du Sac de Bécasse, Parabosquet and Les Pennes to reach the Utelle community lodge.

Second stage of the route and first stage on theGR®52. A long 21km stage taking in the Col de Veillos, numerous lakes, the Col du Barn, the Vacherie du Collet and the Col de Salèse, ending at a place called Le Boréon. A spectacular stage thanks to its landscapes and views, but very difficult.

A short but challenging hike in a wild valley in Haute-Vésubie. Rocky landscape, a pretty lake and a beautiful view of several Italian peaks, including Monte Matto (3,088 m).

The secondary summit of the park, to which it gives its name (by mistake, according to legend), the Cime du Mercantour is relatively accessible and offers a pleasant, uncrowded hike. Please note: the descent to the Vallon des Erps requires caution and is only suitable for experienced walkers.

A lovely summit hike, as you’ll be climbing over 1,000 metres. Initially sheltered by a forest, you’ll then move through a more alpine landscape before finishing with a pleasant climb over scree. You’ll pass by the little Lac de Cerise. On the way down, the easier going will surely allow you to spot the chamois and marmots you may have missed on the way up.

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.

This is a fine route with the beautiful Lac de Trécolpas at the foot of the Pas des Ladres. Please note that following storm Alex, the start of the hike on the right bank is no longer possible and must therefore be made on the left bank.

A circular hike around the lower part of the Salèse valley, passing the Cavalet and Erps cattle pastures, Lac du Boréon, the waterfall and the larch forests. A short hike suitable for the height of summer, as much of the route is shaded. (Please note): The route description is likely no longer accurate following Storm Alex, as the route was mapped out before the storm.

The Bessons Lakes are among the most beautiful and airy in Boréon. The striking glacial relief, with the passage of barriers defending this cirque, is truly awe-inspiring.

This hike in the Haut Boréon will take you, via the iconic Lac de Trécolpas, to a minor but wild summit that is particularly interesting for its breathtaking view of the Cime du Gélas. The ascent presents no major difficulties, apart from a section off the beaten track and a few easy climbing moves towards the end, as well as the possibility of encountering chamois and ibex along much of the route.

From the Vallon de Salèse car park, there are numerous hiking routes. This one takes you up the valley to the Col de Salèse and then on to two magnificent lakes: Lac Nègre and Lac de Graveirette.

A lovely hike offering the chance to climb two peaks in the Salèse area of the Boréon, following a wild and little-used route. From the summit of the Cime de Pagari de Salèse, the view over the Argentera massif is breathtaking. The return journey takes you partly off the beaten track to explore the French Fremamorte lakes. A detour via Lac de Graveirette rounds off the route before heading back via the classic Salèse valley.

A challenging hike with an off-trail finish on Caire Archas, offering panoramic views of Mont Pépoiri, Cime de Frémamorte, Cime Guilié, Mont Pélago and other peaks on the border with Italy.

This is a beautiful French-Italian circuit, partly off-trail (Visorando app or GPS recommended), which allows you to discover different landscapes: the Boréon forest, high-altitude lakes, mineral landscapes and magnificent views of the surrounding peaks.

Off the beaten track, these two small lakes in the Mercantour are both beautiful and uncrowded. Here I suggest a circular route that will allow you to avoid descending directly to the Col de Salèse and enjoy a view of Lac Nègre that you don't get when arriving via the traditional route. A few changes to this route, see reviews.

This small natural lake is little known to hikers. Surrounded by greenery, it is very pleasant and peaceful.

One of the main sites in the Mercantour, Lac Nègre offers the reward of a sudden view of a rocky high mountain landscape that contrasts with the peaceful forest climb that precedes it. The Pas du Préfouns is the viewpoint of the Préfouns valley with the Aiguilles de Questa on the Italian side and the Lac Nègre cirque on the French side.

A very beautiful round trip hike in Haute-Vésubie from the Salèse car park. There are numerous lakes, including the large Lac Nègre, and beautiful panoramic views at the Col de Frémamorte and the peak of the same name.

This short walk, mainly through the forest, will take you to a pretty little mountain lake (2,130 m). It's a good warm-up or an easy goal that can be done with children who are good walkers (be warned, it's still in the mountains, so... it's uphill).

This short loop takes you past Lac des Adus, then continues a little further towards Pointe des Adus and returns via theGR®52. Mainly in the forest, it is very pleasant in hot weather, especially as you can swim in the lake.

A beautiful loop around the Fenestre valley with Lake Fenestre as its centre point.

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.

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.

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.

The Lacs de Prals or "Cinq Lacs" route takes you into the heart of the Mercantour, along pleasant, easy trails that are suitable for all walkers. This route will allow you to discover the Tête de la Lave, the Cime de la Valette de Prals (2,496 m) with its panoramic view of the upper Vésubie and the great snow-capped peaks of the Oisans, before reaching the Lacs de Prals site.

A charming circular hike that can be done at the start of the season (June) when there is still snow. Chamois are often seen (early in the morning). The lake area is very pleasant and offers many options and views for picnics.

Route linking the Vésubie and Gordolasque valleys.