Coeur du Parc national du Mercantour walks

A beautiful day's hike. Varied landscapes, snowfields, scree, lakes, marmots, chamois, everything you need to have a good time. Please note that you will be hiking in the heart of the Mercantour National Park. Be sure to comply with the regulations in force.

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 hike to discover four glacial lakes among chamois, ibex and marmots!

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 beautiful loop in the Gordolasque valley that takes you close to five lakes, including the superb Lac Autier and Lac Niré. There are also some beautiful waterfalls, including the vast Cascade de l'Estrech. Numerous chamois can be seen throughout the hike. A few ibex and marmots can be spotted below the Lac de la Fous dam.

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!

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

It is the 3000m peak renowned as the easiest in the Southern Alps. To the north, it overlooks the glacial site of Lac d'Allos, the largest high-altitude lake in Europe at 2,227 metres. Mont Pelat, in the Mercantour National Park, is the highest point in the Haut Verdon.

Discover the Gordolasque Valley and the Mercantour.

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.

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

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.

Hike along the Authion border, climb the Cime du Diable (2,685 m), with views of the lakes of the Vallée des Merveilles and its ancient rock carvings.

Discover the Vallée des Merveilles by connecting the Vallée de la Gordolasque to the famous Refuge des Merveilles.

A very pleasant family walk in the Gordolasque Valley, with no particular difficulties and wonderful scenery.

The destination of a hike starting from Pont du Countet, the traditional entry point to the Vallée des Merveilles, Lac Long is relatively uncrowded and exudes an atmosphere of serenity in its rocky setting dominated by the elegant Cime de la Malédie. Reaching this lake allows you to enter a wild and mineral valley located near the very popular Refuge de Nice. Ibex and chamois will probably be your only companions.

A tour that plunges you into a mineral desert with peaks that are strange to say the least.

Located on the borders of the Vésubie, Bévéra and Roya valleys, Authion is the southernmost peak in the Alps above 2,000 metres. Hiking its three peaks (Pointe des Trois Communes, Forca and Mille Fourches) offers magnificent panoramic views between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mercantour massif. It is also an opportunity to discover its ancient military forts, which guarded the French-Italian border from the end of the19th century until the end of the Second World War.

A beautiful climb takes you to a summit at 2,757 metres, from where you can enjoy a 360° panorama of many of the high mountains in the surrounding area. These forts were built at the end of the 19th century to prevent Italian troops from entering the country via the Salso Moreno valley. They were occupied during both World Wars but were never actually used.

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 beautiful, accessible hike starting from Camp des Fourches. You will cross the Salso Moreno sinkholes to discover the superb lakes of Morgon and Laussets. You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information.

Four-day route in the Mercantour Massif. Passing through the unmissable Vallée des Merveilles, continuing on to the Refuges de Nice and Madone de Fenestre, then ending the circular at Pont du Countet, the terminus of the Gordolasque valley road.

This beautiful circular route takes you from valley to valley, each time revealing a new landscape, from a wild valley to the lakes around the Refuge des Merveilles in a stunning rocky setting.

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.

This hike starts at the beautiful Lac des Sagnes and ends at Lac de Pelouse, passing through woods (full of raspberries when we were there) and mountain pastures (with flocks of sheep and their canine guardians), where you may be lucky enough to spot lots of chamois.

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

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.

Capelet Inférieur is one of the southernmost peaks of the Mercantour. The viewpoint over the 3000-metre peaks of Gélas, Malédie and Clapier is superb, with beautiful panoramic views over the Gordolasque valley and, on a clear day, the Baie des Anges in Antibes.

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 superb hike in the Mercantour National Park, with a beautiful ridge leading to a summit over 3,000 metres high. Le Cimet, neighbouring Le Pelat and about thirty metres lower, offers a magnificent panorama on a clear day. The hike starts from the Vieux Brec bridge on the Col de la Cayolle road.

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).

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.

A very accessible 3,000-metre peak with magnificent views of Lac d'Allos and a 360° panorama. The hike is superb, with lakes, marmots and chamois along the route.

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.

A long and demanding circular in the Mercantour National Park that will first take you to Lac de Rabuons, the largest lake in the Alpes-Maritimes, which is worth the detour in itself, before climbing Mont Ténibre, the highest peak in the Tinée at 3,031 metres. You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information. Read the reviews before committing.

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.

In the Roya Valley, above Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, enjoy a beautiful snowshoe hike in the setting of Mont Bégo in the middle of the Vallée des Merveilles.

A challenging hike. Ascent through the superb larch forest of La Fracha. Most of the route is through forest, except for the climb to Autcellier and Pervoux.

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).

Mont Clapier (3,045 m) is one of the five 3,000-metre peaks in the Alpes-Maritimes, and probably the most accessible. The ascent does not present any particular technical difficulties, but you do need a good sense of direction to navigate the scree slopes from the Lacs du Mont Clapier. At the summit, there is a superb panorama of the peaks from the Italian-Swiss border to Corsica, passing through the Po plain, the ever-isolated Mont Viso, and closer by, Mont Bégo, Grand Capelet, Gélas and Argentera.

This hike, starting from Camp des Fourches, will take you through the magnificent Salso Moreno valley, characterised by its many winding streams amid marmot meadows and numerous sinkholes. You will climb to the small Lacs d'Agnel lakes, overlooking this pretty cirque at the foot of the Roubines Nègres. You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information.

This hike takes you through the Vallon de la Minière and then the exceptional site of the Vallée des Merveilles.

This walk is accessible to most people thanks to the very even gradient along the route. The trail is entirely located within the Mercantour National Park and takes us through the little-visited mountain pastures around the hamlet of Roya.

After climbing up the pretty Vallon de Gialorgues to the refuge, you will make a small circular loop above it off the beaten track to discover the three lakes of Gialorgues, a wild and uncrowded area at the foot of Fort Carra. You will encounter many marmots around the refuge, and with a little luck, you may spot chamois or ibex near the third lake.