Snowshoeing in the Mercantour

When the little Switzerland of Nice puts on its white coat, unusual landscapes overlooking an azure blue sea are offered to hikers. With snowshoes on our feet for hikes with little difference in altitude, we travel through the preserved massif of the southern Alps at the foot of the Mercantour National Park to discover mountains and wonders.

Detailed program of the stay :

*Day 1 : "Welcome to the Mercantour"

Meeting at 1:30 pm at the Marmottes lodge. Installation in the rooms. Hike in the forest of the Bois Noir from the gîte, to discover the animal tracks. Workshop of DVA, initiation to the search for victims in avalanches.

3h00 of walk / 200 m of difference in altitude / no carpooling Aperitif offered with a wine tasting and briefing on the stay.

*Day 2 : " The legend of Frémamorte

Discovery of the high valley of Bramafan which testifies to the distant era of the quaternary glaciations. From the pass of Veillos, an exceptional point of view on the sea, well visible by clear weather, but also Corsica.

4h00 of hiking / 400 m of difference in altitude / 10 minutes of carpooling

*Day 3 : " The valley of Salèse

A day in an alpine valley in order to reach the Salèse pass and the graveirette lake, we will walk on the tracks of the fauna. We will switch to the Mollière valley, site of the return of the wolf in France in 1992.

4h00 of hiking / 550 m of difference in altitude / 40 minutes of carpooling

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

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

5h00 of hiking / 400 m of difference in altitude / 50 minutes of carpooling

*Day 5 : " La Crête d'Ars

An aerial tour without any difficulties, this route takes you into a world where the expression 360° is not usurped. From Mount Mounier to the border mountains, passing by the chains bordering the upper Var valley, it is possible to experience a real sense of joy while walking on the ridges linking Mount Brussière to the Countent summit. Towards the East, the charming hamlet of Vignols opens up, an age-old place of transhumant pastoralism.

4h00 of hiking / 400 m of difference in altitude / 45 minutes of carpooling

*Day 6 : " The wolf and the man

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

4h00 of hiking / 450 m of ascent / 30 minutes of carpooling

*Day 7 : " It's only a goodbye... "

Breakfast at the gite. Departure from the lodge at 9:30 am. On this last day, we propose a visit to a perched village of Valdeblore: Rimplas with its military fort and its chapels. Nice view on the whole Valdeblore. End of the stay at 12:00.

Detail of the circuit : https://www.orgaya.com/sejours/raquette-a-neige-dans-le-mercantour/

Level 3 : Itinerary average walker in good physical shape, on alpine routes, with a programmed difference in altitude of 500 m / 750 m average, in ascent and 5 hours of walking on average.

Period: From January to mid-April