Winter Walking and Snowshoeing

Just one hour north of Nice Airport lies the heart of one of the best kept secrets in France.

The Mercantour National Park encompasses most of the Alpes-Maritimes, boasting breathtaking unspoilt alpine countryside.

Join us in off the beaten track walks and snowshoe treks surrounded by majestic peaks rising to over 3100 metres against clear blue skies & see for miles in this stunning corner of South East France, where tranquillity is guaranteed, and other humans are a rarity on our days out. Centered in and around the Vésubie valley, the locality offers several destinations for starting circular walks which are just a half an hour drive from your accommodation.

In the valley of La Madone de Fenestre, which lies on the old salt trading route between the French coast and the Piedmont plain, you can snow shoe from the mountain refuge at the Madone Sanctuary over the Baisse de Cinq Lacs and around the impressive bowl of the Lacs des Prals, in the shadow of the Cime de Gelas & the highest peak in the Mercantour.

Trek over the Col de Salese and visit the village of Mollières & totally cut off from motorised transport during the winter months; or snow shoe over Camp Soubrane to Lac Negre, spotting various animal tracks in the snow, including those of wolves, now once again flourishing in the area.

Visit the old town of Utelle, with its sanctuary at the Madone d'Utelle, and enjoy its obvious relationship to Templar activity during medieval times. Walk the GR5 over the Brec d'Utelle with fantastic views of the length and breadth of the Alpes Maritimes.

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 - Pick up in Nice and transfer to your accommodation, or arrive at the gîte La Zourcière.

Day 2 - Madone d'Utelle - a circuit that starts in the medieval village of Utelle, and climbs up to the Sanctuary offering fantasic views of the length and breadth of the Mercantour National Park.

Day 3 - Snow shoe up to Pic Colmiane, and then follow forest tracks directly back to le Grand Chalet, via St Dalmas Valdeblore.

Day 4 - A visit to Le Boreon and snow shoe up to Col Salese, and Les Adus - a day in the heart of the mountians of the Mercantour, chamois, ibex, deer and even wild wolf tracks.

Day 5 - We visit the Col de Turini, and the old Napoleonic forts at Authion, where we can mix a day walking and snowshoeing. On clear days the mountains of Corsica are visible on the horizon.

Day 6 - Snow shoe through the forest tracks that lead up to the refuge at Madone de Fenestre, then spend time in this magnificent cirque before descending via a different route.

Day 7 - We return to Le Boréon, and walk/snowshoe up to the refuge at La Cougourde, and if conditions are good climb up to lac Trecolpas.

Day 8 - Depart from La Zourcière, or hotel guests transfer back to Nice.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

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.