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ALPINE ADVENTURE: ROYA TO MENTON VIA GR52

Highlights

Alternative 4th stage of a trek along the full length of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Med. Famous Vallee des Merveilles with its pre-historic engravings.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $250 per person

All highlights

This is an alternative final leg of our Alpine Adventure following the entire length of the French Alps . This walking holiday takes a longer trail via the GR52 (rather than the GR5) going via the heart of the Mercantour National Park before finishing in Menton. Discover beautiful lakes surrounded by rocky summits & the famous Vallee des Merveilles. We have split the trek through the French Alps into several self-guided walking holidays , although it would be possible to combine them. The traverse of the French Alps is a truly unforgettable experience as you head south passing by the majestic summits of the Mont Blanc range before passing through the Vanoise and Mercantour National Parks. Your wonderful trail passes through a variety of landscapes, wildlife habitats and historic sites including the green alpine pastures of the Savoy, rocky deserts in the Queyras, beautiful perched villages of the Roya, snowy peaks of the Mont Blanc and ibex in the Mercantour. Our holidays include luggage transfers where possible (if you wish) so that you can enjoy the amazing scenery with only a light day pack. This alternative ending is a must-do for those wishing to explore the majestic and wild Mercantour National Park. The Mercantour is the last high mountain range of the Alps before it plunges directly into the Mediterranean. Acclaimed for being one of the wildest and most unspoiled parts of the French Alps, Mercantour has a contrasting range of landscapes. The Mercantour National Park has 7 summits of 3000m, a rich and diverse wildlife, as well as over 100 high altitude lakes.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive in St Etienne de Tinee. Night in small guest house.. .

Day 2: Roya (1490m) - Roure (1883m) ou St Saveur sur Tinée

Transfer to Roya. A walk traversing through mountain pastures to reach the Col de Crousette followed by a beautiful ridge crossing to the Col de Moulines. Depending on the comfort you choose, you can stop off at the Longon hut (dormitory) or continue onwards to Roure, where a taxi will be waiting to take you to St Sauveur de Tinée (room for 2). . Overnight: Roure, Walk: from +1429 to +1514m; - 1655 m; 6hr to 8hr . .

Day 3: Refuge Longon (1890m) - Roubion (1350m) - Saint Dalmas Valdeblore (1050m)

You leave directly from your arrival point of the day before: Roubion or St Sauveur de Tinée. An easier day of transition around the perched villages of the Nice highlands such as Rougios or La Bolline and Rimplas, La Roche and Saint Dalmas, a picturesque village.. Overnight: Saint Dalmas Valdeblore, Walk from St Saveur: from+1040m to +1243m; from -265m to - 1880m; 5-8 hr . .

Day 5: Le Boreon (1500 m) - Pas des Ladres (2448 m) - La Madone de Fenestre (1820 m)

The GR52 climbs through a forested valley to the pretty Lake Trecolpas. Before reaching the rugged Pas des Ladres. You can then ascend Cime de l'Agnelliere if you wish before deciding whether to go via Col de Fenstre on the Italian border before descending to the refuge at la Madonne de Fenestre.. Overnight: La Madone de Fenestre, Walk: +1000m; - 600 m; 5hrs . .

Day 6: La Madone de Fenestre (1820 m) - Pas du Mont Colomb (2548 m) - Refuge de Nice (2232 m)

The GR52 climbs without much in the way of rest to the steep and rocky slopes of Pas du Mont Colomb. The descent is equally challenging. Go past Lac de la Fous to reach Refuge de Nice. You can leave your bag at the hut and make a climb to the beautiful small lakes of Mont Clapier.. Overnight: Refuge de Nice, Walk: +715m; - 410 m; 3hr 30 . You could decide to continue to Refuge des Merveilles and combine days 6 and 7 (and therefore one less night). The short day is designed to allow you to have time to visit the pre-historic engravings on day 7.. .

Day 7: Refuge de Nice (2232 m) - Baisses du Basto (2693 m) et de Valmasque (2549 m) - Refuge des Merveilles (2130 m)

This is a short day but it takes time because the ground is steep and rocky in wonderful high mountain scenery. Care is needed on the climb to Baisse du Basto. Then climb over Col Valmasque and descend past beautiful lakes to reach the Vallee Merveilles and its wonderful pre-historic treasures. You will have the time to book a guided tour to visit the pre-historic rock carvings.. Overnight: Refuge des Merveilles, Walk: +625m; - 725 m; 4hrs . .

Day 8: Refuge des Merveilles (2130 m) - Crete de Lauthion (2000 m) - Turini, Camp d'Argent (1740 m)

Climb past further pretty lakes and reservoirs towards Pas du Diable. Just before the pass, it's possible to make an ascent of Cime du Diable. From the pass and summit, you'll get your first views of the Mediterranean Sea. Following the main descent, it's an easier trail that leads to Col de Raus, Pointe des Trois Communes, close to a fort, and then onto Camp d'Argent. Overnight: Turini, Camp d'Argent, Walk: +580m; -955 m; 5hrs . .

Day 9: Turini, Camp d'Argent (1470m) - Crete de Ventabren (1900m) - Sospel (350m)

A great walk on the Ventabren ridgeline with stunning views. This is followed by a long and mostly forested descent which leads towards the historic town of Sospel. The vegetation changes as you descend and starts to become Mediterranean in appearance as you leave the larch and spruce behind and maritime pine and olive trees start to make their appearance.. Overnight: Sospel, Walk: +470m; -1850 m; 6hrs 45 . .

Day10: Sospel (350m) - Col du Berceau (1100m) - Menton

Your final day is a long and often wooded walk that goes from one col to another. There is the chance to climb to the summit of Gramondo for fantastic views of the Mediterranean. As you walk you'll brush lavender and thyme giving off a wonderful perfume. A long and steep descent leads to Menton and the Mediterranean Sea as the forests give way to white limestone and the blue Med. The mountains plunge directly into the sea. Take one last look back at the summits before taking a well-earned dip in the Med.. Walk: +1090m ; -1410 m; 7hrs 15 . . The holiday ends after your walk on day 10 or book an extra night's accommodation in Menton.. If you wish to book part 3 of the GR5 trail at the same time, then please contact us to check availability and for a quote.. If booking part 4 separately you can choose between this version of the trek or the standard and shorter trek from Roya to Nice. . . .

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$250	$180	$160	$150
Price per kid	$130	$90	$80	$80

Services

Included:

9 night's half-board accommodation in gites, simple hotels and refuges with private rooms (except for 4 nights in dormitories, 1.00);
transfer on day two to access the start of your walk;
detailed walking notes and walking maps;
transport of luggage between accommodations if chosen (you'll need to carry your own gear for 3 nights on nights 5-7)

Excluded:

Travel to St Etienne de Tinee at the start of the walking holiday and from Menton at the end of the walking holiday;
drinks with evening meals & all lunches,
accommodation in Menton,
travel insurance,
anything else not listed above

Optional:

Extra Nights
Changing or Tailor-made holidays
Tailor Made Trips

Receive a free quote from your local travel agency within 48 hours by e-mail. No obligation to purchase.

Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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