Mercantour

🥾 In a nutshell

⏱ Duration: 3 days
📏 Length: 35 km
⛰ Elevation gain: 2,800 meters
💪 Difficulty: difficult
🌤 Season: June to September

Display map

🙋 Who is this trek for?

This trail in the Mercantour is aimed at experienced hikers, who are used to walking about fifteen kilometers, with an elevation gain of around 1,000 meters.

🚆 Getting there

The starting point of this trek is at the Countet bridge, otherwise known as Gardolasque, in the town of Belvédère. A large car park allows you to leave your car there for 3 days.

During the summer school holidays, the Rando Bus service connects Nice Vauban to La Gordolasque.

🛌 Sleep and eat

This hike goes through a wild environment, away from any city. The stages are therefore located at the Merveilles refuge, then at the Madone de Fenestre. We recommend that you consult the website of the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs (FFCAM), in order to obtain the up-to-date timetables and prices of these refuges.

These shelters offer meals, which is handy to lighten your bag.

For those wishing more autonomy, camping is authorized in the Mercantour National Park, with one exception: the Vallée des Merveilles. A bivouac area is therefore located just above the Merveilles refuge, to welcome you on the first evening. Once out of the Vallée des Merveilles, you can however choose the place of your choice to bivouac.

However, we remind you of the bivouac rules: it is limited to one night in the same place, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., more than an hour's walk from the nearest road. Finally, fires are prohibited, and of course nothing should be left behind.

🎒 Equipment

Like any trek, this one requires a minimum of preparation. To manage it like a pro, please consult our dedicated guide: What to bring on a trek.

🥾 Day 1: to the Refuge des Merveilles

Departing from the Countet bridge in the Gardolasque valley, this first stage reaches the Merveilles refuge via a portion of the Vallée des Merveilles, famous for its prehistoric engravings.

The arrival at the refuge, nestled on the shores of Lac Long Supérieur, is enchanting.

From Pont du Countet to Refuge des Merveilles

6km • Hard •

🥾 Day 2: the Valley of Wonders

This second stage of the trek is both demanding and superb. Because with a length of 15 kilometers and an elevation gain of nearly 1,200 meters, it is essential to be in good physical condition to carry out this hike.

But the landscapes are worth the effort! The path follows the Vallée des Merveilles, passing successively in front of the prehistoric engravings of Christ, the Chief of the Tribe, the Rock of the Altar, and others. Note that a guide is recommended to take full advantage of this place, but it is already possible to appreciate part of it independently.

After this cultural passage, the path passes near the Basto, Niré and Fous lakes, as well as the Nice refuge, before arriving at the Madone de Fenestre refuge for the night.

From Refuge des Merveilles to Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre

15km • Hard •

🥾 Day 3: the summit of Valletta de Prals

For this last day of the trek, the trail begins by crossing a pleasant forest area to the Plan de Prals. The route then makes a round trip to the Cime de la Valette de Prals, which offers a superb view for around 200 meters of additional elevation. It is possible to avoid this round trip for those wishing to return more quickly.

Finally, the path descends into the Gorlodasque valley, and the last kilometers are on the road to reach the car park at the starting point.

From Refuge de la Madone de Fenestre to Pont du Countet

13km • Hard •

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