walking & adventure holidays

Hut to Hut Trekking

Join us as we start a journey through the length and breadth of the National Park, criss-crossing over cols between Italy and France. 

This week-long sojourn is the first part of a series of hut-to-hut treks planned to take place over the next four summer seasons, which will cover the length of the Mercantour National Park from North to South.

In 2008 we propose to start at Minière above the Roya valley which is the southern-most "salt route" valley.  We’ll explore the Vallée de Merveilles, (75% of visitors to the Mercantour can’t be wrong), view some of the 37,000 Bronze Age rock carvings in this stunning area, cross over into Italy and skirt beneath the awesome north walls of Cime du Gelas, before crossing back into France via the second "salt route" to end up at La Cougourde.

In year two we criss-cross the border again as we work our way North, this time under the gaze of Cima Argentera - the highest peak in the Southern Alps.  We’ll follow some of the old hunting paths constructed by the Dukes of Savoy and over the ever-changing geology to Terre Rouge and Isola.

In year three and four, we plan to complete the trek by taking in the far north of the National Park, which will take us into the remote areas of the Ubaye, and then across west to finish in the Haute Verdon at Lac d'Allos, overlooked by the magnificent les Tours du Lac - reminiscent of the Rockies, and no less impressive.

Our plan is to stay off the well trodden long distance paths so that we can soak up the beauty and tranquillity of the Mercantour, and come closer to the abundant wildlife and flora.

Testimonials

Our holiday was excellent.  The accommodation was perfect and our hosts Mel and Liz were very accommodating and welcoming. The most memorable aspect of our time in the Mercantor Park was the stunning guided walk we did with Mel. Perfect weather and spectacular mountain scenery coupled with no worries about route finding and safety. This made our walk to the top of a 2,800m peak a perfect Birthday celebration for us.

I think our holiday did benefit local people. We were holidaying out of season so our custom to local shops and restaurants was welcome.  It also showed us what a fantastic walking area the Maritime Alps are and would recommend it to friends.

Overal rating ****. I think we will be booking a longer and more adventurous trip next year facilitated by Mel and Liz.

Joanna McKendrick - September 2006

Season

July to end September

Departures to date

2010 - Jun 26

Pricing

Standard weekly package :

Hotel and refuge full board - £520

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

How to book...

Walking Grades

grade

Your Accommodation - On all our Mercantour based trips you will either stay in our gîte at La Zourcière, or if you choose our B&B or half board options we are very pleased to work with local hotels or chambres d'hôte in the area.

Gîte

Enjoy the beautifully secluded situation of La Zourcière in the small hamlet of Berthemont les Bains in the Vésubie valley. The gîte sits on the ground floor of the house and is fully self contained. There are shops about 10 minutes drive from the hamlet, and an organic farm just 200m down the road from the house. Follow this link for more details.

Hotel or Chambre d'Hôte

Le Grand Chalet is a homely chambre d'hôte run by Christine and Luc and is situated overlooking the small village of St Dalmas Valdeblore. A good week of outdoor activity is well fuelled by Christine's great cooking, crafted from home made (mainly organic and local) ingredients. Vegetarians are welcomed.
Hotel Saint Sébastien is situated in just outside the small town of Roquebilliere. Again, family run, with large airy rooms, and has a restaurant and outdoor pool.
Le Chalet or La Bonne Auberge are situated in the town of St Martin Vésubie, a thriving small community that has been the centre of life in the valley since the 12th century. There are plenty of local shops and restaurants to choose from, and the Bonne Auberge has its own restaurant.

Other accommodation options can be found here

What's included

7 day break.

6 nights accommodation including the final night in a hotel, 5 nights in a refuge.

All meals (drinks at own expense)

Six days guided trekking led by an International Mountain Leader.

Transport to and from Nice.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Nice airport, transfer to the Roya valley, and walk (1/2 hour) to the refuge at la Minière de Valaure.
• Day 2 Early start, and walk up to the Refuge des Merveilles for 10:00 a.m. Meet Christian, who will take us on a morning's guided tour of the Bronze Age carvings. Continue along the GR 52 over the Baisse de Valmasque, and then branch off the main track into the beautiful and isolated and lake- filled Valmasque valley to the refuge there.
• Day 3 From the refuge track across country up to Lac de l'Agnel and then steeply up and over Pas Agnel into Italy, and down to the Refugio Pagari.
• Day 4 Contour west under Cime du Gelas and its remaining glaciers over to the next valley and the refuge at Soria Ellena.
• Day 5 Climb back up and over the Col Fenestre to overlook the magnificent cwm at Le Madone de Fenestre, before contouring round, over the Pas des Ladres and down to the Refuge at La Cougourde.
• Day 6 Climb up via little known pathways to the country above La Cougourde to Lacs Bessons, and then if time and weather permit, to the summit of Cime de Guillé, before descending down the Vallon des Erps to be picked up and transferred to your final night in a hotel at St Martin Vésubie, or Roquebilliere.
• Day 7 Transfer back to Nice airport.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection

As a small enterprise, it's very important to us that our guests are professionally looked after during their stay with us.
Your protection : our operational base is in France, and our company in France is registered as a tour operator (habilitation touristique) and holds business failure cover and public liability cover.
Your welfare : all our activities are led by fully qualified local Mountain Guides and International Mountain Leaders (Accompagnateurs), thus ensuring that you receive not only top professional care, but that you will also benefit from their in-depth local knowledge of the regions that we operate in.