Petit Mercantour Hut-to-Hut Trek

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.

The time estimate for this stage does not include breaks. Since the first part of the route is a steep ascent, the hike may take longer than the estimated walking time. Make sure to leave early, so you can complete the stage without having to rush.

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.

This stage takes you from Boréon into a wilder mountain setting, climbing steadily towards the higher valleys and the crossing at Ladres Pass. With 930 m of ascent, this is a solid uphill stage that asks for a steady pace, especially on the long climb before the pass. The route combines valley paths, mountain scenery, stream crossings, and a sustained descent towards La Madone de Fenestre.

From Gîte d'Étape du Boreon, you head east through the valley, passing close to Chalet Vidron and a small lake before continuing towards the river crossing. Higher up, the route passes a waterfall before Cougourde refuge and continues near Gias de Peïrastrèche. As you climb, the landscape opens into broad mountain views, with an exceptional panorama along the way. The route then reaches Ladres Pass at 2440 m before beginning the descent.

After Ladres Pass, the trail drops steadily through open mountain terrain towards La Madone de Fenestre. The stage ends at Chalet de La Madone de Fenestre, where you can settle in after a full mountain stage with plenty of climbing and a long descent.

After a cozy night at the Chalet de la Madone de Fenestre, your final stage begins with a gentle ascent through high alpine terrain. The trail leads you past the chapel of La Madone de Fenestre and into an open valley surrounded by rugged peaks — a true highlight of the Mercantour National Park.

Soon, you’ll start your descent towards the Vésubie valley. The path winds through fragrant pine forests and pastures dotted with grazing sheep. Take your time to enjoy the mountain views — this is one of the most scenic parts of the trek. As you descend, the landscape gradually softens, and you’ll begin to see signs of civilization again.

After about 2 hours, you’ll reach Le Boréon, where you can stop for a coffee or lunch. From here, the final stretch back to Saint-Martin-Vésubie follows a well-marked trail that descends steadily through forests and along the river. The familiar rooftops of Saint-Martin-Vésubie mark the end of your 3-day adventure — a satisfying conclusion to your journey through the heart of the Mercantour.