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Mercantour - Hut-to-Hut

Duration: 6 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: 10 - 15 km per day

Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

Hut-to-Hut

Alps

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Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
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> Enjoy the beautiful French Alps
> Spend your nights in local mountain huts
> Don't worry about arranging the accommodation, we got that covered!

At only a stone's throw from Nice and the Mediterranean coast, you can find a mountain range with the striking name: les Alpes-Maritimes. In these mountains, you can find Mercantour National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks France has to offer. With peaks of over 3000m and valleys formed by ancient glacial streams, Mercantour provides the perfect backdrop for your next mountain adventure. It's in Mercantour where hikers of all ages and abilities will be able to find an unparalleled hiking experience. Are you ready to discover one of France's best-kept secrets?

In Mercantour National Park you can do parts of the GR5 and the GR52. The GR5 will basically take you halfway across Europe, and although the GR52 is doable for most people with enough off days, it is best to craft your own itinerary together. Especially if you don't want to hike for longer than a week. We have designed a 6-day itinerary that offers a great combination of nature, the most hospitable Mercantour refuges, and quaint little towns.

Itinerary

Day

St.-Martin-de-Vésubie - Gîte d'Étape du Boréon

Duration: 04:00 h

Distance: 8.94 km

Ascent: 890 m

Descent: 340 m

The charming town of Saint-Martin-de-Vésubie marks the starting point of your hike through Mercantour National Park. This is the perfect place to make your last-minute purchases for the trek. You'll find an outdoor shop, several restaurants, and plenty of small grocery stores here. As soon as you leave the village behind, the ascent begins almost immediately. In the first 4 kilometers, you will climb about 700 meters until you reach Collet Cotignol. At Collet Cotignol, you’ll be rewarded with views of the pine forests and surrounding mountains. From here, the trail changes and you’ll encounter slightly more challenging sections than during the ascent. The trail flattens out, and it remains mostly level for the next 3.5 kilometers. In total, you’ll cover approximately 9 kilometers today, eventually reaching your first destination: Gîte d’Étape du Boréon.

Gîte d’étape du Boréon

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Day

Gîte d'Étape du Boreon - Chalet de La Madone de Fenestre

Duration: 05:25 h

Distance: 11.7 km

Ascent: 920 m

Descent: 550 m

After a good breakfast, day 2 of your adventure can begin. Head east towards Vacherie du Boreon, which for many hikers is the starting point to explore Mercantour National Park. When you come across the GR52 signs, you'll know you're on the right track. You can follow these all the way to Chalet de la Madone de la Fenestre. After about half an hour of walking, you'll reach Chalet Vidron, where you'll find a beautiful waterfall on your left. Make sure to take a short break here. Continue the trail towards Gias de Peirastrech, and then turn right towards Lac de Trecolpas. This is the perfect spot for lunch with a stunning view of the lake. Keep following the GR52, and after about 1.5 kilometers, you will reach Pas des Ladres. From here, head further southeast until you arrive at the charming Chalet de la Madone de Fenestre.

Chalet de La Madone de Fenestre

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Day

Chalet de la Madone de Fenestre - Refuge de Nice

Duration: 03:15 h

Distance: 5.92 km

Ascent: 700 m

Descent: 370 m

After a delicious breakfast, it's time to set off again. A steep but well-maintained path takes you along the GR52 route to Pas du Mont Colomb, the highest point for today. The climb is challenging, and the paths are narrow and steep, but you can take your time. The same goes for the descent. A steep and narrow path over large boulders will bring you back down. Depending on what time you started this morning, you’ll likely arrive early at the stunning Refuge de Nice. In true Mercantour style, the hosts only cook with local and farm products.

Refuge de Nice

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See entire itinerary

Included

Booking the huts

We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Mercantour for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.
Full travel guide

We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Mercantour, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek
Full-board

Accommodation at the huts includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about.
Accommodation

During your Mercantour, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. You'll sleep here in dormitories, as the booked mountain huts don't have any private rooms.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses

Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

Destinations

Trekking Type

Mercantour - Hut-to-Hut

Itinerary