Valdieri walks

There are several ways to circumnavigate this mountain: closer to the summit or further away. But this suggested route allows you to walk around the Argentera via the lakes and the King Victor Emmanuel II trails, always with a view of the Argentera and, of course, a comforting stop at the mountain huts every evening. The stages are fairly well balanced in terms of the effort required, so let’s set off on the tour.

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 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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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 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 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 very beautiful hike starting from Isola 2000, allowing you to discover six lakes, some of which are in Italian territory. The hike is varied in that it follows a fairly busy route offering magnificent views, as well as a much wilder and less frequented section. The numerous lakes and water sources along the way are an invitation to cool off. Please note: there are some difficulties on the terrain => see § Practical information.

A viewpoint over Mont Viso (weather permitting!); in any case, a wild landscape just a few minutes from civilisation (Isola 2000 resort).

An easy round trip hike that allows you to discover a wild area very close to the Isola 2000 ski resort. During the ascent, you will pass close to the 5 Lacs de Terre Rouge lakes before arriving at the Baisse du Druos, which offers a beautiful view of the many Lacs Supérieurs de Valscura lakes. Although this route is outside the Mercantour National Park, you may encounter some chamois.

A technical hike starting from Isola 2000 that will take you to the highest point in the area, with breathtaking views of the resort and the Italian Alps. Up to the beautiful Terre Rouge Lakes and Baisse du Druos, this route is accessible to all; things get a little more challenging once you reach Italy.

A relatively easy summit above Isola 2000, the Cime de la Lombarde offers superb views of the French and Italian Alps. The route described here is a beautiful circular loop that is relatively uncrowded, except for chamois, and offers beautiful views of the Orgials and Rio Freddo valleys.

Starting from the Isola 2000 resort, hike towards the Lausfer lakes and, following the French-Italian border, return via the Col de la Lombarde.

A short, easy walk between France and Italy. You'll find yourself trying to guess which country you're in as you walk along the ridge. I've never crossed the border so many times in such a short space of time... And you can admire the view of the two valleys below.

A superb circular hike, allowing you to discover no fewer than five lakes through magnificent landscapes at the foot of Mount Malinvern. It is located entirely in Italian territory, close to Isola 2000, starting from the Col de la Lombarde road on the Vinadio side.In addition to the lakes, the hike offers superb views of the peaks overlooking the Rio Freddo valley at the foot of Malinvern, which is omnipresent during the first part of the circuit.

Route linking the Vésubie and Gordolasque valleys.

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.

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.

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

This route, which runs parallel to the border, is dominated throughout by the large peak of Gélas, the highest summit in the area.

Starting from the Refuge de Nice, the fourth stage of this journey through the Mercantour is the shortest. Short but just as difficult. You’ll pass the Baisse du Basto, the highest point ofthe GR®52. You’ll cross over to Lac du Basto, then it’s the climb up the Baisse de la Valmasque, before descending into the Vallée des Merveilles.

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.

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.

We offer a hike through the Valdeblore mountain pastures, including the ascent of one of the area’s major peaks, Mont Pépoiri, offering exceptional views across the entire border ridge of the Mercantour massif.Views of Corsica on a clear day.

The Millefonts lakes hike will take you to no fewer than five lakes at the foot of the Mercantour. The Col de Barn offers breathtaking views of the Molières valley and the lakes.

A very beautiful hike in the Colmiane area. No difficulty on this route.

Starting from the Millefonts car park, this hike will take you via Lac Petit to Cime des Lauses, a peak offering exceptional views of the Mercantour. After a section off the marked trail along the Têtes des Margès and Barn ridges, you will reach Col du Barn and descend to the other beautiful lakes of Millefonts: Lac Gros (slightly heart-shaped) and Lac Long (entirely colonised by aquatic plants).

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 long one-way hike (two vehicles required) will take you up the pretty Valmasque Valley and its three beautiful lakes to the pass above the Vallée des Merveilles, before climbing to the summit of Mont Bégo via a sometimes steep and slightly vertiginous path, in an area where you may encounter magnificent ibex. Finally, there is a very long descent to the lakes around the Refuge des Merveilles, then through the Vallon de la Minière to Lac des Mesches.

Hike to one of the largest lakes in the Mercantour National Park, surrounded by ibex and chamois.

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.

Cime Viglino enjoys a privileged location. At an altitude of 2,910 metres, it cannot compete with the nearby Mont Clapier (3,051 metres), which offers its most beautiful façade and an impressive view of its glacier. The view to the west is obscured by this superb neighbour, but there is still a breathtaking panorama to the north as far as Mont Viso and to the south as far as the sea. From this promontory, you can dream and meditate on the hikes to be made in the valleys below.

Le Grand Capelet enjoys a privileged position, offering panoramic views over the Roya and Vésubie valleys.The hike is quite challenging, but once you reach your destination, you will be rewarded with a superb panorama.

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.

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

A beautiful circular hike that takes you from Lac de l'Agnel to the Lac Noir and Lac Vert de Valmasque. Caution: tricky sections at (4) and (5).

A magnificent ridge offering sweeping views over the southern Mercantour. To the north, the view stretches from the Vallon de Valmasque to the Col de Tende. You will recognise the major peaks: Cime Chamineye, Cime de la Lusière, Mont Clapier rising behind the Pas de la Fous, Cime de l’Agnel, Cime de Sabion, Pointe de Peyrefique and Roche de l’Abysse. To the south and west, you can admire Mont Bégo and Mont Sainte Marie.Before setting off, please read the practical information section

This walk around La Bolline, a village in Valdeblore, takes you along pretty paths through wooded valleys. It takes you to the village of La Bolline, the Chapel of Sainte-Croix des Pénitents Blancs, the fountain in Place de Casetto (1857) and the Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur (17th century), as well as the village of La Roche and the Chapel of the Pénitents Noirs de l'Annonciation.