Vinadio walks

Superb hike starting from the Santa Anna di Vinadio Sanctuary in Italy. This 4-hour Lakes circuit can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise. Be sure to read the warnings about snow and equipment to bring with you in the practical information section.

Circular hike from the beautiful village of Sambuco in the Valle Stura, Provence of Cuneo. The high point is Monte Bersaio directly above the village. The majority of the walk is through high alpine meadows. If done in late June or early July there will be a profusion of wildflowers and the final meadows, just below the summit of Monte Bersaio, are full of Edelweiss.

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.

This magnificent French-Italian hike allows you to discover the middle and upper reaches of the Mercantour: pastures, ungulates, lakes and panoramic views. This hike has a significant elevation gain and includes an exposed section between the Pas du Bœuf and the Col de la Guercha: not recommended for anyone who is afraid of heights or unsure-footed in the mountains.

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 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.

Thisthird and final stage of the Tour du Mont Aiga starts from the Refuge de Vens and crosses a balcony below the slopes of the Aiguilles de Tortisse to the north-east of the Lacs de Vens. After passing the Crête de la Côte and descending to the Maisons Forestières de Tortisse, you will walk along a balcony path beneath the slopes of the Tête des Mourres to reach the Morgon plateau and climb back up to Laussets and finally to the Lacs de Morgon. At the large Morgon lake, you will descend eastwards into Salso Moréno to rejoin the path of thefirst stage and Camp des Fourches. It is possible to see chamois early in the morning and, of course, marmots throughout the day.

On thissecond day of the Tour of Mount Aiga from the Ferrere Refuge, you will pass through Plan de Belvédère, where there is a tin shelter overlooking the Rio Forneris valley and a fountain. You will also pass below Lake Emma, Monte Peiron at 2,796 m and Pointe Testa di Garbe at 2,749 m, to arrive, after a few hairpin bends, at Col de Fer at 2,584 m. You will then head towards Small Pass of Tortisse and the Vens Refuge, the end of this stage.

Starting from Roya, a hike through a wild valley to Mont Riounet, which overlooks the resort of Auron and offers a beautiful panorama of the surrounding area (the Tinée peaks, the Mounier chain, the Mercantour-Argentera massif) and other more distant peaks to the north (Col de la Bonette, Aiguille and Brec de Chambeyron, Tête de Moïse, Pics de la Font Sancte, Mont Viso, etc.). Ideal in autumn, to admire the colours and, with a little luck, to hear and see the deer bellowing.

The military structure built at Col de Crous provided passage between the Tuébi and Péone valley to the south and the Roya (Tinée) valley to the north.The small structure was built between 1932 and 1939 by military labour (MOM), more specifically by a detachment from the27th Algerian Rifle Regiment under the supervision of personnel from the7th Engineer Regiment.The support structures were built underground, dug several metres into the rock, while the combat structures, scattered across the surface in the form of blocks, were protected by thick steel armour plating and layers of reinforced concrete. The underground facilities housed barracks for the crew.High-altitude climatic conditions, a lack of resources and the non-priority nature of the project delayed progress. In June 1940, fighting against the Italians cancelled all work planned for the summer season.

A very beautiful hike in the little-visited Roya valley, then, as you climb higher, panoramic views of the surrounding high peaks, the northern ridge of Mounier and Mont Rougnous. The first part of the hike allows you to explore the Roya valley as far as Trou de Corneilles, a natural bridge under which the torrent flows and where many corvids nest. At the end of September, you can enjoy the sound of deer bellowing in the nearby forest. The rest of the hike follows the Baudric route, which alternates between passages under the cliffs and paths along former farmland and barns. A final climb takes you to the Croix du Small Pass and its beautiful panorama. On the way back, the return to the village is from marker 13b along a stony path running alongside old barns.

This trail allows you to discover a little-visited valley in the Mercantour: you can see marmots and chamois here. The landscape is very varied, alternating between coniferous forests, meadows and ridges which, in good weather, offer views of the peaks of the Mercantour, Queyras and Écrins.

A magnificent hike in the Haute-Tinée offering varied panoramas and one of the most beautiful series of lakes in the Mercantour! The climb from Le Pra is gradual and easy, with the Cime de la Bonnette behind you. You then pass under the strange Aiguilles de Tortisse before arriving at the Col du Fer (view of Mont Viso). After the Collet de Tortisse, you arrive at the arch, where you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the Lacs de Vens and the peaks of the Trou de l'Âne!

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 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.

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.

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.

We offer a hike in the Valdeblore mountain pastures, with an ascent of one of the major peaks in the area, Mont Pépoiri, offering exceptional views over the entire ridge of the Mercantour massif. View of Corsica on a clear day.

This is a magnificent hike that starts in the picturesque medieval village of Roubion, with part of the trail already described on Visorando. Partly shaded by the forest, it will guide you through the Bois du Falcon and the meadows to the foot of Mont Buissière, at the Col de la Couillole, then to the Pin Pourri, where you can admire the Tête de Giarons and its vast meadows. The return journey will take you through the charming hamlet of Villars.

This route begins in woodland where wild strawberries grow, followed by an unusual, little-used canal, before joining the GR®5. The beautiful village of Roure is well worth a visit: original wash house, fountains, a wealth of renowned local heritage.

Mont Mounier (2,817m) is one of the must-see peaks in the Alpes Maritimes: magnificent panoramas, 360° views from the summit, a beautiful ridge at the end, a fairly steady and easy 1,100m climb with views of the summit almost all the way.

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).

Starting from the hamlet of Les Launes, this circular hike takes you to Lac de Beuil, nestled in a sinkhole at the foot of Tête de l'Ubac, before climbing to Tête du Garnier for a magnificent panorama over the entire Beuil-Valberg area, as far as Mont Mounier and Mercantour in the distance.

A beautiful family hike with the chance to see marmots just a few metres from the path (from the start and also at the lake).

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.

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).

One of the most beautiful lakes in Haute-Ubaye. An easy hike with a slightly steep start, but it can be shortened if necessary.

A magnificent and very varied hike, offering superb panoramic views of numerous peaks and lakes. Numerous military remains bear witness to the strategic importance of this summit (bunkers, shelters, tunnels, cable car with the wheel still in place). The return route, equipped with chains and handrails on a fairly short section, then follows a splendid balcony path in a dolomitic landscape. This is an aerial route, so you must not be prone to vertigo.

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.

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.