Tête de Méric

A lesser-known and less-frequented secondary summit of the Mercantour, located above the pretty village of Péone, the Tête de Méric nevertheless offers a magnificent panorama stretching from the Tours du Lac d'Allos to the peaks of the Vallée des Merveilles, via the Val d'Entraunes and the Gorges de Daluis. The final ridge allows you to gradually discover this panorama.

Details

16719829
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 871 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 872 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,044 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,165 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the main car park in Péone, opposite the Col de Crous hotel and restaurant.

(S/E) Head towards Tête de Méric, Bouchanières, as indicated by the hiking signs in the car park. Continue to signpost 97.

(1) Continue towards Tête de Méric and Bouchanières, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®52A. Cross a road a little further up, at marker 96, continuing in the same direction. You will reach a road.

(2) Pass in front of a house, then follow the small path that descends slightly below the road, continuing to follow the red and white markings. Reach Le Villard at marker 108.

(3) Leave theGR®52Ahere and head towards Tête de Méric and Baisse de Vallette. Continue along a relatively steep concrete track, which quickly turns into a dirt track. Follow the yellow markings. Reach marker 106.

(4) Continue, ignoring the path on the right that descends towards Aliège, following the yellow markings. Reach Baisse de Vallette at marker 107.

(5) Turn completely left, almost 180°, to reach Tête de Méric. Enjoy the panoramic view here.

(6) Return by the same route to the Baisse de Vallette crossroads.

(5) Head straight ahead towards Aliège, indicated by marker 107. The path is not very clear at first, but keep following the yellow markings. You will soon find yourself on a good, fairly steep path through the forest. You will arrive at marker 105.

(7) Turn right onto the road, which turns into a track a few hundred metres further on. Continue along the track until you reach the Aliège lodge.

(8) Turn completely right downhill to take the path, which is not very visible and has no yellow markers at the beginning. However, you will find them again fairly quickly. Follow them to reach the crossroads at marker 97, which you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left onto the path you took on the way there to quickly reach the Péone car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,173 m - Péone car park. Cross the - Tuébi (torrent)
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 1,186 m - Marker 97
  3. 2 : km 0.77 - alt. 1,304 m - Trail-road junction
  4. 3 : km 1.69 - alt. 1,442 m - Marker 108
  5. 4 : km 3.15 - alt. 1,682 m - Marker 106
  6. 5 : km 5 - alt. 1,982 m - Marker 107
  7. 6 : km 6 - alt. 2,044 m - Tête de Méric
  8. 7 : km 9.27 - alt. 1,489 m - Marker 105
  9. 8 : km 10.01 - alt. 1,419 m - Aliège lodge
  10. S/E : km 12.33 - alt. 1,172 m - Péone car park

Notes

There is a small spring between points (4) and (5) where you can refill your water bottles.
There are no particular difficulties during this hike, where it is easy to find your way along well-marked paths, with the sole exception of a small section between (5) and (7).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Jacques_Anne-Claire
Jacques_Anne-Claire

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, and the view from the Tête de Méric is well worth the detour. The climb is through the woods, which is very pleasant. There are a few minor difficulties on the descent back to point 8 in terms of following the route, but nothing too serious. With a map and a good app, you're all set.

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laet06
laet06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in the direction described, but much more difficult in the other direction in my opinion. The directions are very easy to follow, and almost the entire hike is in the woods, which is pleasant during hot weather. Thank you for this route.

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Laurence du Béal
Laurence du Béal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, mostly shaded, which is a significant advantage in summer.

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oenolatre
oenolatre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike and very pleasant in autumn. The climb is steady through a pretty forest. There is a 360° panoramic view at the summit. The path is well marked, so there is no chance of getting lost.

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Eric06790
Eric06790

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, with plenty of shade on both the ascent and descent. The 360-degree panorama at the top is well worth the effort, especially as the sky was clear. The route is well marked, with no surprises.

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Nico0758
Nico0758

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike, excellent description
Some sections of the Hubac during the ascent were still snow-covered, as was the crossing to reach the summit of Méric.
We were blessed with good weather and were able to admire all the majestic peaks 🤩🤩
Well done and thank you for continuing to publish routes

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Jeremie0611
Jeremie0611

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, beautiful view.
Not very busy

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Remi_22
Remi_22

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike! I really enjoyed the short walk through the forest on the way up, and the view from the top of Méric is truly magical. It's a little-used route, which makes it all the more beautiful. The village of Péone is also very pretty.

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P. Herve
P. Herve

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, fairly shaded.

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ninimouans
ninimouans

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike was beautiful and mostly shaded, and the view from the summit was magnificent. However, I found it difficult. The climb is steep and even more challenging because it was very hot.

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Olivier06
Olivier06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a nice hike. Some sections are not particularly interesting but are not unpleasant either (from stage 1 to 3 and after stage 8). However, from stage 3 to the summit, the forest trail is really pleasant. Between stages 5 and 6 there are some great spots for a break. It's quite a climb up to stage 5, but it's worth it. We did the hike at the end of May and there was no one else on the trail except us, which was great.

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Armell
Armell

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route through the forest, which is very pleasant in June. It climbs steadily and consistently, which may be challenging for those who are less fit than regular hikers, but the view upon reaching the top of Meric makes up for everything: it's magnificent!
We had a few doubts when we arrived at the Aliege lodge, but the route is very well marked. We thought we would avoid the section of road at the end, before reaching marker 97, but it's not long and there is very little, if any, traffic.
We didn't meet anyone and were able to focus on the calm of the forest, the colourful flora and the beautiful views of the Mercantour mountains, the Entraunes valley, the Crous pass, the Mounier... Highly recommended 😊

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