Star-shaped hike in the Valley of Wonders
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationMercantour National Park / Alpes-Maritimes
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions60.71 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
The highlights
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Discover the Valley of Wonders with its many lakes
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Prehistoric Refuge: An immersive night in the heart of the prehistoric site, the engravings
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Visit to the Vallauria mine: An underground dive into the mining history of the massif
Photos
Didier - verified review - june 2024
Didier - verified review - june 2024
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
You have already completed a level 2 hiking trip without difficulty or you have already hiked for several days. Daily walks average 5 to 6 hours with 600 to 900 meters of daily elevation gain.
You'll be hiking with a daypack, except for the night at the refuge where you'll need to bring a change of clothes for the evening and your sleeping bag liner. You'll only carry these items for 2.5 hours to reach the refuge, where you can leave them before heading out again for the afternoon to explore the rock engravings.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 673 m
- Average daily descent: 571 m
Management
French
English
You will be accompanied by a state-certified mountain guide, approved by the Mercantour National Park to access the various engraving sites. This mountain professional is committed to: - Managing your hike in the best possible way, ensuring your safety: choosing the route, pace, logistics, health, adapting to weather conditions, organizing a rescue - Ensuring the group's dynamics and cohesion - Facilitating your approach to the mountain environment and passionately sharing their knowledge of nature, while being available and attentive to your needs.
Program
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Welcome
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet your guide at 5:30 pm at Saint Dalmas de Tende train station.
Regrouping with personal vehicles and transfer to Lac des Mesches in Val Castérino (1500 m). Check-in at accommodation and presentation of the program for the stay.
Day 1 -
The Valmasque Valley (Lake Noir and Lake Basto optional)
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 510 m
- Negative elevation 510 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short transfer takes you to the start of the hike. This valley is a true sanctuary for marmots, chamois, and ibex, which accompany us throughout the route. We enjoy our meal on a small promontory or by the lake, where the panorama is spectacular, with the highest peaks in the area and the Lac Vert (Green Lake) as a backdrop. As an option, we can extend our hike to Lac Noir (Black Lake) and Lac du Basto (Basto Lake) before descending back into the valley via a little-known, unmarked route that your guide has planned for you, allowing you to discover some vestiges of the region's military history.
Day 2 -
Tandasque plane summit
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 760 m
- Negative elevation 760 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the gîte, a beautiful climb towards a small lake, where anglers try their luck with trout, leads to a little path known only to shepherds and a few regulars! Your guide will take you to discover alpine pastures covered in edelweiss, where the region's typical Piedmontese cows graze peacefully. Chamois also frequently frequent these tranquil spots.
Day 3 -
Fontanalbe Engravings
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An unusual day of hiking where you'll encounter the Bull god and other goddesses... Discover this prehistoric site, a listed Historical Monument, featuring thousands of engraved rocks in a stunning landscape. Numerous lakes dot the landscape along your route, where the interplay of water, rock, and forest creates a truly paradisiacal atmosphere!
Day 4 -
The step of the nauque
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An early start to finish this tour of the Wonders with an exceptional hike between two rarely visited mountain passes. The trail is unmarked; very few hikers venture onto this wild route where the panorama is unique (sometimes you can even glimpse the sea!). We are still in chamois territory.
At the end of the hike, we will visit the Vallauria mine with a guide who specializes in underground galleries.
Day 5 -
Departure for the Valley of Wonders with an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Positive elevation gain 794 m
- Negative elevation 183 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The "Site of Wonders" is a veritable open-air museum. You'll embark on a 2-day, 1-night escape to this exceptional site. Numerous lakes, high peaks, the discovery of rock engravings over 3,500 years old, a testament to the first Mediterranean civilizations, a feast for the eyes with contrasting colors, and a rich and ever-present flora and fauna (sometimes even close to the trail!).
Your guide holds a specific qualification for accessing and visiting restricted areas containing rock engravings. This qualification is awarded after passing an exam following training conducted by the Mercantour National Park and the Ministry of Culture. This certification authorizes them to accompany you in these regulated zones.
In the morning: Ascent to the Refuge des Merveilles (2,111 m) and visit to the engravings
After checking out of our rooms, we began the ascent to the refuge through the splendid larch forest that occupies the lower part of the Vallée des Merveilles. We enjoyed the beautiful setting and the lake during our picnic.
Elevation gain: +650 m, -0 m. Walking time: 3 hours.
In the afternoon: after lightening our packs at the refuge, we head to the site of the world-famous prehistoric engravings. With our guide, accredited by the Mercantour National Park, we will try to interpret these messages.
*Optional, following the visit, possible ascent to the Pas de l'Arpette (2,511 m).
Elevation gain/loss: +183 m, -183 m Walking and sightseeing time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Overnight stay and meals at the Refuge des Merveilles (2,111 m). No luggage transfer.
Day 6 -
With Mount Bego as a backdrop: ascent of the Devil's Peak (2,685 m) and its lakes
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 570 m
- Negative elevation 570 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Very early in the morning and with light packs, we climb one of the peaks overlooking the Cirque des Merveilles, then return to the refuge where we collect our belongings before heading to the Lac des Mesches parking lot for 2:15 pm.
Transfer to Saint Dalmas de Tende train station according to your schedule for 2:45 pm in order to be on time for the train/bus to Nice at 3:00 pm
Day 7
Note
Please consider this program a flexible itinerary! Due to variables such as weather, trail conditions, or other factors beyond our control, we may occasionally make adjustments. However, rest assured, our guide is an expert on the mountain range, knowing its every secret, and will strive to guarantee you an exceptional experience. For example, if certain routes are crowded, he will show you magnificent and unspoiled paths to ensure your stay is truly memorable. Get ready to explore enchanting places!
For your enjoyment, you will discover enchanting and unspoiled routes such as the old salt road in La Brigue, the Cime de La Nauque…
From August 30, 2026, there will be no overnight stays at the Refuge des Merveilles, but all nights will be spent at the Neige et Merveilles center during the week. The visit to the rock engravings will still take place.
Accommodation
From Sunday evening to Friday morning: Room for 2, separate beds, shared bathroom
Deep in the valley, at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the hamlet of La Minière de Vallauria is home to a place quite unlike any other. A former mining village nestled at the foot of the Vallée des Merveilles, Neige & Merveilles was restored in the 1960s by a handful of enthusiasts determined to recreate a “meeting village” in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
People come here to walk, breathe, share - and to experience a simple life, punctuated by communal meals, the evening light on the mountains and the sound of the stream below.
The centre consists of two main buildings - San Sebastiano and Authion - offering rustic but comfortable accommodation in rooms with 2 to 4 beds.
From Friday to Saturday: overnight stay at the Refuge des Merveilles in a dormitory.
Refuge of Wonders - An anchor point in the vast wilderness
Located at an altitude of 2,111 m, on the shores of Lac Long Supérieur, the Refuge des Merveilles occupies a unique position in the heart of the Mercantour National Park. It is the domain of Mont Bégo and the famous rock engravings that bear witness to a human presence dating back several millennia.
Managed by the French Alpine Club, the refuge retains the mountain spirit: simple welcome, hot meals, communal dormitories and a warm atmosphere among hikers.
An essential stop on the GR 52, it opens the way to the valleys of Valmasque and Fontanalba, between lakes, rocky chaos and luminous horizons.
In the evening, when the wind dies down and the light gilds the ridges, the refuge becomes a small suspended world - a place of passage that has become a refuge, in the fullest sense of the word.
Access
WELCOME
Meet your guide at Tende station on Sunday at 5:30 pm.
If you arrive by train, our minibus will pick you up.
If you come by car, follow the minibus to the parking lot at Lac des Mesches, in the Val de Castérino (1,500 m).
DISPERSION
End of stay at Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende station.
Arrival at the Lac des Mesches car park at 2:15 pm to arrive at the station by 2:45 pm and allow for a return train at 3:00 pm.
Go to the starting point
Meet at Saint Dalmas de Tende train station at 5:30 PM. Directions:
Paris-Nice line then Nice/Breil sur Roya/Tende/Cunéo line.
Paris-Turin line then Turin/Cuneo and finally the Cuneo-Breil sur Roya line.
From the south:
Either take the motorway to Ventimiglia (border crossing) then the RN 204 E74. St Dalmas de Tende is 30 km from Ventimiglia.
Either via Menton, then Sospel, Col de Brouis to join the RN204 E74. This avoids crossing the border but the road is very winding.
From the north:
Via Italy and the Tende Tunnel: it's possible, but the tunnel only opens at certain times, which change throughout the year. Check the timetable before you leave.
If you are travelling through Italy: keep your identity document with you.
Please note, meet at Tende train station at 5:30 PM to go to the car park, following the guide.
Free parking at Lac des Mesches, at the start of the trail to the inn.
Price details
The price includes
- Guided tours are led by a state-certified mountain guide, approved by the Mercantour National Park, to access the engraving sites.
- Full board from Sunday evening to Saturday midday
- Transfers are included in the hiking program (within the limits of the 8-seater minibus). Those arriving by car may use their vehicle to reach the starting point of the hikes (and will be reimbursed at €0.50/kilometer).
- The guided tour of the Vallauria mine
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Insurance
- Anything not listed under "the price includes"
Options
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Double room (1 large bed) : CHF155.52 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Twin room (2 single beds) : CHF155.52 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay - Double room (1 large bed) : CHF155.52 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay - Twin room (2 single beds) : CHF155.52 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also bring your health insurance card.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 x 30/35 litre backpack with a flexible frame and a waist belt
- 2 telescopic poles + rubber tips are mandatory for the visit
- 1 pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support and are waterproof, with Vibram-type soles. Remember to "test" new shoes and those that have not been used for a long time beforehand (low-cut shoes are not recommended for level 3 hiking trips).
- 1 large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack
- 1 pair of category 3 sunglasses
- 1 thermos for a hot or cold drink
- 1 water bottle (allow at least 1.5L/person) or hydration bladder such as a CamelBak with a drinking tube
- 1 cup, knife and fork for picnics
- Race provisions
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, bank card, health insurance card, assistance contract (the rest of your papers and car key can be left at the hotel during your stay)
- 1 survival blanket
- Toilet paper with a small lighter to burn it
- Sunscreen SPF 4
For the evening at the accommodation:
- Toiletries
- Your spare clothes
- 1 sleeping bag sheet
Telescopic poles in the Valley of Wonders: Specific regulations govern the use of walking poles during hikes in the Valley of Wonders. To access the rock engravings and avoid causing damage, you must equip the tips of your poles with rubber caps (available in sports stores), or you will be required to store them in your backpack. Please note that park rangers are particularly vigilant in enforcing these regulations!
Clothing to bring
When hiking, the 3-layer system remains the recommended equipment for your comfort and safety.
- A short-sleeved t-shirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
- A fleece fur jacket
- A windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket (gore-tex type)
Depending on the weather and the level of exertion, you can always choose the most effective option. When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may suffice. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather, or during breaks at altitude, a fleece jacket is an essential layer under a windproof jacket.
Pack quick-drying clothes, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers, which will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing and chills you during breaks.
Recommended clothing for hiking:
- 1 sun hat or cap
- 1 multifunctional hat or neck warmer (BUFF© type) and 1 pair of lightweight gloves to protect against the cold at altitude
- 1 short-sleeved t-shirt suitable for physical activity (synthetic or natural microfiber type)
- 1 insulating garment type: fleece or down jacket
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket with a hood if possible (gore-tex type or equivalent)
- 1 rain poncho or a protective cover for the backpack in bad weather (often integrated into the bags)
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers
- 1 pair of shorts or bermudas suitable for walking
- 1 pair of hiking socks
They traveled with us
