Mercantour - Hut-to-Hut
Bookatrekking.com Trips - 6 days
-
Regular days with
- 10 - 15 km per day
- 500 - 1000m ascent per day
- T2 Trails / no difficulty markings
Overview
> 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.
Why book with us?
Program
Etappe 1: St.-Martin-de-Vésubie - Refuge de la Madonna de Fenestre
Distance: 13,5 kilometers
Distance: 8.5 kilometers
Etappe 4: Refuge de Valmasque - Refuge des Merveilles
Distance: 8.5 kilometers
Distance: 19 kilometers
Distance: 16 kilometers
What's Included?
Included:
√ Booking the huts
We will take care of arranging accommodation for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.
√ Accommodation
We will arrange your accommodation on the Mercantour in mountain huts. There are several options to choose from along the trail. We have selected the mountains huts on our trek based on the length of each stage and recommendations from trekkers who have done the Tour du Mont Blanc before us.
√ Half-board
Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast.
Excluded:
× Airfare and Visa
You have to make your way to Nice. The total amount does not include flights to France.
× Transfers
Once in France, you will have to make your way to the trailhead in St.-Martin-de-Vésubie. We will provide the instructions and assist you with how to get there. Transport to Nice is not included.
× Accommodation before and after the trek
Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.
× Travel Insurance
Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
× Breakfast at the hotel in Roquebillière
During your hotel stay in Roquebillière, you can arrange breakfast upon arrival.
× Lunch
Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.
× Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.
Accommodation
Accommodation
On the Mercantour the following huts and hotel are included:
Chalet de La Madone de Fenestre
In the Mercantour National Park, Chalet de La Madone de Fenestre is located in the heart of the local giant; the Gélas, the highest peak of the Alpes-Maritimes (3,143 m). The mountain hut is the starting point of a number of mountaineering activities!
Refuge de Nice
This mountain hut is located at 2232 metres altitude, in the village of Bélvédère, Alpes-Maritimes. Surrounded by the highest peaks of the Mercantour National Park, this Refuge offers you a pleasant stop on its panoramic terrace overlooking Lake la Fous.
Refuge de Valmasque
The Refuge de Valmasque is located in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, on the shores of Lac Vert, above the summit of the Valmasque valley. In a world of rocks and alpine lawns, this peaceful mountain hut, renovated in 1984, is waiting for you after a long day of hiking!
Refuge des Merveilles
The Refuge is located on the shores of Lake Long Superior, in the heart of the Valley of Wonders. Between Mount Bego and Devil's Peak. This Refuge is also known as a 'Refuge of Wonders'. This is because of the exceptional site with rock carvings, but also because of the many hiking trails in the area. 
Hotel in Roquebillière/Belvédère
In the heart of Roquebillière, a family mansion has been tastefully transformed into a charming hotel; Ostan Hôtel. You' ll find a nice and warm decoration in every room.
Packing List
Packing ListObviously, when you are only hiking with the family for only a few days, you won't need to dress for an expedition on Kilimanjaro. Having said that, it doesn't matter where you are going trekking or for how long: Carrying the right equipment with you is paramount. For a hiking trip in Mercantour National Park you will need, first and foremost, a good backpack. The size of your backpack will depend on how many days you will be spending on the mountain, the season, and the clothes you will be taking with you. We have prepared a packing list with some essential clothing that you should include and some extras that you may find useful:
Essentials
- Walking boots (worn in)
- Walking socks
- Base layer tops – ideally thermal
- Mid-layer tops (eg. fleece)
- Trekking Trousers
- Hat for warmth or shade
- Gloves
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Warm layer.
- Casual clothes & footwear for evenings.
- Nightwear and underwear
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses & sun cream
- Toiletries
Extras
- Small first aid kit
- Blister Plasters
- Insect repellent
- Electrical socket adapter
- Camera and charger
- Map and compass
- Whistle
- Book to read
- Energy snacks
- Walking poles
- Buff
FAQ
Where is Mercantour National Park?
Is hiking the Mercantour for me?
What Is the Best Season for Hiking in Mercantour NP?
How to get to and from Mercantour National Park?
The trick to getting to Mercantour National Park for your hut-to-hut tour is to get to Nice first. Nice, right? Jokes aside, it really is nice to be able to combine Mercantour with the French Riviera. You can visit epic beach towns like Cannes, Fréjus, and Saint-Tropez. Surf and turf all the way. From Nice, you have a direct line with St.-Martin-de-Vésubie, your base for any kind of adventure in Mercantour.
Safety
The most important thing to do in an emergency is to stay calm and survey the situation. Do not panic or take useless risks if the people in trouble are difficult to reach. In an emergency, first and foremost, call for assistance. When calling for help, make sure to provide your location and the number of victims and type of injuries. Then, protect the victim from cold and other environmental threats and administer first aid, if you can.
COVID-19
Covid-19
The Corona pandemic has had its grip on us, and mountain huts in the Alpine region have had to take several preventive measures over the past two years. In the meantime, the first relaxations in the Alps are noticeable, yet it is definitely still a factor to take into account. Some Covid restrictions that are worth mentioning:
- Don't go to the huts if you have symptoms!
- Not all mountain huts are allowed to operate at full capacity yet, so make sure you book your stay in advance.
- To be on the safe side, always take a mouth mask with you.
- In some mountain huts it is still compulsory to bring your own sleeping bag, in others a sheet bag and pillowcase are sufficient. Your personal travel guide will tell you which rules apply to your route.
- Bring your own towel
How to Book
How to Book?
On Bookatrekking.com you can find and compare the adventures of your dreams. Is this trekking your match? In that case, you can proceed with your booking. At Bookatrekking.com you make a deposit of 30% of the total amount. In the case of this trek, we will check the availability at the respective accommodations for you. There are two possible outcomes:
√ There is availability
We go ahead and make all necessary arrangements for your trip. Once confirmed, we will send you a confirmation and your personal hiking guide. The remaining 70% must be paid at least two (2) weeks before the start of the trekking.
X There is no availability
If there is no availability, we will look for other starting dates or another trekking in agreement with you. Are there no other options for you? Then your deposit of 30% will be refunded.
Cancellation Policy
If all the accommodations of this trekking are booked and confirmed, you will lose your deposit of 30% at all times. If you cancel within 14 days of your start date, you will lose your full booking amount.
Is it not quite clear yet or do you have questions? Please contact us via support@bookatrekking.com. We are happy to help you.
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