Walks and Treks in the Maritime Alps

Discover a striking meeting of mountains and sea in the Maritime Alps, where rugged 3000m summits rise dramatically above the Mediterranean Riviera and quiet valleys shelter picture-book villages, glacial lakes and wildlife-rich national parks.

Straddling the border of France and Italy and easily reached from Nice, this lesser-known Alpine corner offers a rewarding blend of accessible day walks and more adventurous treks, with highlights including the protected landscapes of the Parc National du Mercantour and Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime.

This guidebook presents 18 graded day walks and 6 multi-day treks exploring the best of the range. Day walks of 6–20km (4–12 miles) can be completed in 3–7 hours and suit reasonably fit walkers, while the longer treks of 22–67km (14–42 miles) take 2–7 days and are designed for hikers with some alpine experience, occasionally involving exposed terrain or navigational challenges.

• Graded day walks and multi-day treks explore a rich landscape of glacial lakes, jagged granite peaks, forested valleys and historic transalpine passes once used by traders, pilgrims and shepherds crossing the Maritime Alps.
• Among the standout routes are a 5-day traverse of the Mercantour National Park and a 7-day journey across the Italian Alpi Marittime.
• Sketch maps accompany every walk and trek, supported by detailed notes on accommodation, facilities, access and route variants to help walkers plan flexible itineraries across the Maritime Alps.
• Practical guidance covers preparation, equipment, navigation and seasonal considerations, with the main walking season running from June to late September when high paths are typically snow-free.
• Easy access from Nice and plentiful mountain refuges, inns and valley accommodation make the Maritime Alps an approachable destination for both novice walkers and experienced trekkers.
• Wildlife-rich protected landscapes shared by France and Italy provide opportunities to encounter ibex, chamois and alpine flora while walking through the Maritime Alps’ extensive network of waymarked trails.
• Suggestions for bases on both sides of the border, together with travel advice and logistical tips, help walkers make the most of a visit to this quieter corner of the Alps, far removed from the busy Mediterranean coast.

Plan your Maritime Alps walking adventure with confidence using this inspiring and practical guidebook, and explore a remarkable alpine landscape where Mediterranean light meets high-mountain wilderness.

Seasons

mid-June to late September is guaranteed for snow-free paths and open huts; July and August spell wildflowers galore; October means crystal-clear visibility and having the whole place to yourself.

Centres

France: Tende, Castérino, St-Martin-Vésubie, Le Boréon
Italy: Terme di Valdieri, Entracque, Vernante

Difficulty

from easy strolls along mountain streams on broad tracks, through to multi-day treks across arduous passes with elementary rock passages.

Must See

wildlife (magnficent ibex, chamois and marmots) and wildflowers; high-altitude lakes (Fremamorta, Lac Nègre); Argentera, Gelas and Clapier all over 3000m; prehistoric rock engravings are visitable from Castérino; old-style spa resort Terme di Valdieri with paved tracks dating back to the 19th-century royal game reserve; Col de Tende and Col de Fenestre.

Introduction

The Maritime Alps

Walking

Rock engravings

Plantlife

Wildlife

Exploring the Maritime Alps

Information

Access

When to go

Accommodation

Dos and don'ts

What to take

Maps

Emergencies

Using this guide

The walks

1 Fontanalba Rock Engravings Circuit

2 Mont Bégo Loop

3 Vallée de la Roya to Vallée de Vésubie Trek

4 Upper Vallée de la Gordolasque

5 Lacs de Prals Circuit

6 Ancient Passes above Madone de Fenestre

7 Vallon du Haut Boréon Circuit

8 Lacs Bessons

9 Around the Argentera

10 Lac des Adus Loop

11 The Great Lakes Tour

12 The Alpi Marittime Trek

13 The Valasco Tour

14 The Fremamorta Loop

15 Rifugio Bozano

16 Rifugio Remondino and Lago di Nasta

17 Vallone di Lourousa

18 Traversing Colle di Fenestrelle

19 Rifugio Pagari Loop

20 Vallon del Vei del Bouc

21 Gorge della Reina

22 Vallone degli Alberghi

23 Costa di Planard

24 The Border Forts

Appendix 1 French–English and Italian–English glossaries

Appendix 2 Walk summary table