Snowshoeing in the Mercantour

When the little Switzerland of Nice dons its white coat, hikers are treated to an array of unusual landscapes overlooking an azure-blue sea. With snowshoes on our feet for gentle hikes, we explore the unspoilt massif of the southern Alps at the foot of the Mercantour National Park, discovering mountains and wonders.

Detailed program:

**Day 1 : "Welcome to the Mercantour"

Meet at 1:30pm at the Marmottes gîte. Settle into your room. Hike from the gîte into the Bois Noir forest to discover animal tracks. DVA workshop, introduction to avalanche victim search.

3h00 hike / 200 m ascent / no carpooling Aperitif with wine tasting and briefing on the stay.

**Day 2: "The legend of Frémamorte

Discover the high Bramafan valley, which bears witness to the distant Quaternary ice age. From the Col de Veillos, an exceptional view of the sea, clearly visible on a clear day, as well as Corsica.

4:00 hike / 400 m ascent / 10 minutes car pooling

**Day 3: The Salèse valley

A day in an alpine valley to reach the Col de Salèse and the Lac de Graveirette, where we follow in the footsteps of wildlife. We'll switch to the Mollière valley, site of the wolf's return to France in 1992.

4h00 hike / 550 m ascent / 40 minutes car pooling

**Day 4: "The Authion high plateau 2000 m above the sea"

We'll be inside the Mercantour National Park at an altitude of 2000 meters. Our guides will tell you stories of the battles fought on the Authion Plateau from Napoleon to the Second World War. We'll enjoy an exceptional 360° view over the Alpes Maritimes department, with the Gélas at 3143 m and Corsica on the horizon.

5 hrs hike / 400 m ascent / 50 minutes car pooling

**Day 5 : "La Crête d'Ars

An aerial tour with no difficulties, this route takes you into a world where the expression 360° is not usurped. From Mont Mounier to the border mountains, via the ranges bordering the upper Var valley, it's possible to experience a real sense of exhilaration as you make your way along the ridges linking Mont Brussière to the summit of Countent. To the east lies the charming hamlet of Vignols, a centuries-old site of transhumant pastoralism.

4h00 hike / 400 m ascent / 45 minutes car pooling

**Day 6 : "The wolf and the man

Departing from the hamlet of Le Boréon, you'll take a walk in search of chamois and other forest animals, and observe the first traces of the wolf. In the afternoon, visit the Alpha park to learn more about the wolf! A meal at the "Saveurs des recettes du Mercantour" restaurant

4h00 hike / 450 m ascent / 30 minutes car pooling

**Day 7: "It's only goodbye..." Breakfast at the gîte

Breakfast at the gîte. Departure from the gîte at 9:30 am. On this last day, we propose a visit to one of Valdeblore's hilltop villages: Rimplas, with its military fort and chapels. Nice view over the whole Valdeblore. Tour ends at 12 noon.

Tour details : https://www.orgaya.com/sejours/raquette-a-neige-dans-le-mercantour/

Level 3: Itinerary for average walkers in good physical condition, on alpine routes, with a programmed ascent of 500 m / 750 m on average, and an average 5-hour walk.

Period: January to mid-April

This service provider is a member of the Mercantour Écotourisme association, find out more here!