Want to escape the winter gloom and get some clean alpine air? Want to mix walking and snowshoeing away from the hoards in the Savoie?

Just one hour north of Nice Airport lies the heart of one of the best kept secrets in France.

The Mercantour National Park encompasses most of the Alpes-Maritimes, boasting breathtaking unspoilt alpine countryside.

Join us in off the beaten track walks and snowshoe treks surrounded by majestic peaks rising to over 3100 metres against clear blue skies – see for miles in this stunning corner of South East France, where tranquility is guaranteed, and other humans are a rarity on our days out. Centered in and around the Vésubie valley, the locality offers several destinations for starting circular walks which are just a half an hour drive from your accommodation.

In the valley of La Madone de Fenestre, which lies on the old salt trading route between the French coast and the Piedmont plain, you can snow shoe from the mountain refuge at the Madone Sanctuary over the Baisse de Cinq Lacs and around the impressive bowl of the Lacs des Prals, in the shadow of the Cime de Gelas – the highest peak in the Mercantour.

Trek over the Col de Salese and visit the village of Mollières – totally cut off from motorised transport during the winter months; or snow shoe over Camp Soubrane to Lac Negre, spotting various animal tracks in the snow, including those of wolves, now once again flourishing in the area.

Visit the old town of Utelle, with its sanctuary at the Madone d’Utelle, and enjoy its obvious relationship to Templar activity during medieval times. Walk the GR5 over the Brec d’Utelle with fantastic views of the length and breadth of the Alpes Maritimes.

Testimonials

What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? - The fantastic views on the walks. The welcome from Christine and Luc at Le Grand Chalet, and of course the fantastic food. The personal attention from Mel and Liz to ensure everything ran smoothly, and their welcoming attitude.

Elaine Axby - Dec 2007

What we really wanted to do without delay was to say a big "thank you" to you both for all you did to ensure we had a lovely holiday. Being such a slow coach I very much appeciated the deviation from the planned routes and Alan appeciated being able to do something more challenging.As for the Chalet with Christine and Luc just what is there to say! Wonderful -super-great!

Dorothy Scapens - Feb 2008

Season

Winter only

Departures to date

Jan 24; 31; Feb 21

Join a group - Feb 14 2009

Pricing

Standard weekly package :

Gite based - £395

Hotel or Chambre d'Hote B&B - £485

Hotel or Chambre d'Hote half board - £665

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Walking Grades

grade

Your Accommodation

GÎte

What's included

8 day trip, 7 nights accommodation. Hire of snow shoes, not poles.

Gîte Based : self catering, no meals or drinks included.
Hotel/Chambre d'Hôte B&B : Breakfasts only - evening meals can be taken at local restaurants, and packed lunches can be purchased at local food stores.
Hotel/Chambre d'Hôte Half Board : All meals, inclusive of packed lunches. Drinks at own cost.
Transport : To and from all venues. To and from Nice airport, aside from gite guests who decide to hire a car during their stay in Berthemont. We offer supermarket visits for self catering guests who do not wish to hire a car.
Activities : Six days guided walking with a qualified International Mountain Leader. 

Itinerary

• Day 1 Pick up in Nice and transfer to your accommodation, or arrive at the gîte La Zourcière.
• Day 2 Madone d'Utelle - a circuit that starts in the medieval village of Utelle, and climbs up to the Sanctuary offering fantasic views of the length and breadth of the Mercantour National Park.
• Day 3 Snow shoe up to Pic Colmiane, and then follow forest tracks directly back to le Grand Chalet, via St Dalmas Valdeblore.
• Day 4 A visit to Le Boreon and snow shoe up to Col Salese, and Les Adus - a day in the heart of the mountians of the Mercantour, chamois, ibex, deer and even wild wolf tracks.
• Day 5 We visit the Col de Turini, and the old Napoleonic forts at Authion, where we can mix a day walking and snowshoeing. On clear days the mountains of Corsica are visible on the horizon.
• Day 6 Snow shoe through the forest tracks that lead up to the refuge at Madone de Fenestre, then spend time in this magnificent cirque before descending via a different route.
• Day 7 We return to Le Boréon, and walk/snowshoe up to the refuge at La Cougourde, and if conditions are good climb up to lac Trecolpas.
• Day 8 Depart from La Zourcière, or hotel guests transfer back to Nice.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection