Hikes in Mercantour
The most beautiful hikes in Mercantour from the Vésubie valley
From the summit of Gelas to the Valley of Wonders, the Vésubie valley is the starting point for many beautiful hikes in the Mercantour.
Here is a selection of the essential hikes to take during your stay at Campsite Les Templiers.
Lake la Fous
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 8.5km
- Height difference + : 530m
- Difficulty : 2/5
- Duration : approx. 4h without break
Lake Authier
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 7.5km
- Height difference + : 600m
- Difficulty : 2/5
- Duration : approx. 4h without break
Lake Authier and Refuge de Nice
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 12.5km
- Height difference + : 950m
- Difficulty : 3/5
- Duration : approx. 5h30 without break
Valley of Wonders
Several hikes, more or less easy, allow you to discover this magnificent site.
If the more sporty will do these hikes in one day, it is nevertheless recommended to do them in 2 days in order to enjoy these sublime landscapes and to be able to include the guided tour of the preserved site containing the rock engravings.
The guided tour can be taken from the Refuge des Merveilles.
Le refuge des Merveilles
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 13km Aller-Retour
- Height difference + : 1200m
- Difficulty : 3/5
- Duration : approx. 7h without break
This is the most accessible hike to reach the Merveilles refuge.
Accessible does not mean easy, especially in summer when the last part of the ascent is carried out in full sun, with no shaded area. Remember to bring hats and water!
La vallée des Merveilles par la Cime du Diable
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 16.5km
- Height difference + : 1300m
- Difficulty : 4/5
- Duration : approx. 8h without break
Do you like lakes? You will not be disappointed ! The more experienced can even climb the Cime du Diable for a 360° panorama of the Mercantour.
Note that the descent after the Pas du Trem is very demanding and crosses a long scree with large blocks of stone. Reserved for experienced hikers. Not recommended for children.
La vallée des Merveilles par le lac Authier
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 17km
- Height difference + : 1450m
- Difficulty : 4/5
- Duration : approx. 8h without break
Although a little longer with more elevation than the previous one, this loop is however less technical. And bonus, it crosses the restricted zone of the Vallée des Merveilles!
This is a good compromise if you want to do a nice loop over two days.
Tour du grand Capelet
- Start : pont du Countet
- Distance : 20km
- Height difference + : 1500m
- Difficulty : 4/5
- Duration : approx. 10h without break
If you have time, this is THE most complete hike to discover all the landscapes around the valley of Wonders and have the best chance of meeting the local fauna, chamois, ibexes and marmots.
Lakes Bessons
- Start : vacherie du Boréon
- Distance : 12km
- Height difference + : 970m
- Difficulty : 4/5
- Duration : approx. 6h without break
Lake Trecolpas
- Start : vacherie du Boréon
- Distance : 10km
- Height difference + : 600m
- Difficulty : 2/5
- Duration : approx. 4h30 without break
Lakes Millefonts
- Start : parking des Millefonts
- Distance : 7.5km
- Height difference + : 630m
- Difficulty : 3/5
- Duration : approx. 4h without break
- Dog allowed
Loop l'Authion
- Start : parking l'Authion
- Distance : 11km
- Height difference + : 500m
- Difficulty : 2/5
- Duration : approx. 3h without break
- Dog allowed
All these hikes in the Mercantour park are accessible in 30 minutes by car from the Vésubie valley.
Many more hikes are available on the site Alltrails.
