Discover prehistoric carvings etched into France’s Vallée des Merveilles
Escape to France's backyard for a memorable trekking tour interwoven with prehistoric carvings and an anthology of remarkable, natural views. Encounter shimmering lakes, bubbling rivers, and sloping valleys set amid layers of mountains. But it’s the ancient engravings etched around Mont Bego in Vallée des Merveilles in Mercantour National Park that will elevate this adventurous holiday from stunning and unforgettable to epic.
An International Mountain Leader certified guide will lead you along the same path that Neolithic shepherds walked. However, unlike the folk meandering around Mont Bego during the Stone Age (presumably), you will spend each night on the trail in cozy mountain huts!
Highlights of the Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour
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Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Nice
After you arrive at the Nice Airport, you’ll transfer to Casterino, where you’ll spend a night in your hotel. During the afternoon, embark on a quaint walk around Casterino, a charming hamlet nestled in lush mountain scenery! Enjoy a delicious dinner after.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Casterino
Distance: 2 hours, 6 km, 100 m ascent, 100 m descent
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Hike into Merveilles Valley
Get ready to start your trekking adventure, which will have you following a knowledgeable guide to an abundance of Neolithic engravings and staggering views. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll take a brief transfer to the trailhead. Start by walking along the river, meandering pastures and larch wood until you reach the Merveilles Valley. Eventually, you’ll reach the mountain refuge for the night. If you have some energy left, you can opt to join your group for a short walk around the lake, where you’ll find your first prehistoric carvings etched into the scenery.
Overnight Location: Refuge in Merveilles Valley
Distance: 6 hours, 13 km, 830 m ascent, 250 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Day hike to Arpetta Pass
Enjoy breakfast before hiking to more prehistoric art carved into rocks. After, you’ll continue hiking to Arpetta Pass, where Mont Bego’s peak and Vesubie Valley will emerge into view. But it doesn’t end there. The next spot will unveil the "man with zig-zag arms" and weapons harking back to the Bronze Age. Return to the refuge in Merveilles Valley and consume a fulfilling, rewarding dinner.
Overnight Location: Refuge in Merveilles Valley
Distance: 5 hours, 8 km, 450 m ascent, 450 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hike to Valmasque Refuge
Except to encounter a potpourri of scenery today! First, you’ll come across iconic carvings of the Tribal Chief, Christ, and the Wizard. The trail will soon carry you to Lake Merveilles, a glistening lake cradled in an amphitheatre of jagged hills. Continue to Baisse de Valmasque and eat lunch between the Grand Capelet Peaks and Mont Bego. Once you’re full and ready to go on, you will hike along three more lakes: Basto, Black and Green Lakes. Enjoy a relaxing evening at your mountain hut!
Overnight Location: Refuge in Valmasque
Distance: 6 hours, 11 km, 500 m ascent, 500 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hike back to Casterino
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before following the trail to Casterino. Today’s route takes you super close to the Italian border! Look out for chamois and marmots as you walk along this military track. Toast your tour mates to a wonderful outdoor adventure in Casterino, where cold beer awaits! Head back to Nice in the afternoon. Your tour ends here.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 hours, 10 km, 100 m ascent, 600 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour Price and Dates
This guided walking tour in France is always run as a private tour for your group only, therefore the price always depends on the number of people in your group. Please note, that the prices might change depending on the season and the availability of the hotels.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2-3: $2,475 USD
- Guided Groups of 4-5: $2,050 USD
- Guided Groups of 6-7: $1,975 USD
- Guided Groups of 8+: on request
Accommodation on Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour
Expect to stay in a combination of hotels and huts on this tour. They each offer modern amenities that work to elevate the total comfort of your stay. In hotels, the rooms are of double occupancy, while in refugees, you might have to share the room with few other hikers.
Please note that the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar places.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You must a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Please enquire to find the pricing out.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Chamois d’Or in Casterino ★★★
Romantic, charming, and elegantly rustic, the scenery and vibes spanning this hotel make for a cozy, friendly stay! Enjoy the sauna, bar, and restaurant.
Refuge des Merveilles
Backed by craggy peaks and set along the lake, this mountain hut offers a surreal setting, tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfort.
Refuge de la Valmasque
Situated precariously atop a rocky slope and surrounded by water, this mountain hut provides mystical views and a comfortable refuge.
What’s included in the Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights along the tour. Accommodations before and after the tour in Nice are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation includes transfers to and from the airport.
Also Included
- International Mountain Leader certified guide
Not included
- Flights to get to and from Nice
- Travel insurance
- Beverages
- Tips
- Hiking gear: backpack (25/30 l is recommended), boots, clothes, sleeping bag
Optional Extras
This could be anything, like additional nights at start/finish, transfer from airport, rentals, etc. you often find this info by starting the booking process.
- Extra night before or after the tour
- Half-day excursion to Tende on a first or last day of the tour: $175 USD
Frequently Asked Questions about Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour
Tortuga Viaggi is a boutique Italian tour operator based in Cuneo, Italy. Through their guide Luca Giraudo, they offer tours in Mercantour National Park in France, while also in Piemonte, Liguria, and Alpi Marritime Natural Park Piemonte in Italy. Luca is a trained ornithologist as well as an International Mountain Leader. Let Luca and his team show you some of the most incredible places in this part of France and Italy.
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