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Tours/Europe/France/Southern France

Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour

Discover prehistoric carvings etched into France’s Vallée des Merveilles

4.6 (36 ratings)

France, Europe

Happiness Promise

Hiker treks through French mountains along Neolithic tour

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From $1,950USDBook Now

Take the first step towards a private travel experience, customized just for you.

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About this tour:

5 days

Jun-Oct

Trekking

Guided, Private

Hotels and refuges

Moderate (3/5)

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Why travellers choose this tour

At 10Adventures, we take care of the details so that our guests can focus on making memories. Enjoy these key features on this tour.

We're Canadian

Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Meals

Don't worry about meals. 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners are included.

Transfers

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

Local Support

Travel stress-free knowing in-country local support is available by regular phone or WhatsApp to support you during your tour.

Payments Made Easy

Enjoy the flexibility and ease of staggered payments in your own currency using your choice of credit card.

Route Resources

Route notes, maps, and/or a trail app make navigation on this tour a breeze.

Park Entrance Fees

Included where possible! Check the 'What's Included' tab for more info on park entrance fees during your tour.

Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

Accommodation for 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.

Night 1

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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.

Night 2-3

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.

Night 4

Refuge de la Valmasque

Situated precariously atop a rocky slope and surrounded by water, this mountain hut provides mystical views and a comfortable refuge.

Hotels on Standard Tour

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Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour Details

Overview

Itinerary

Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Nice

Overnight Location - Hotel in Casterino | Distance - 2 hours, 6 km, 100 m ascent, 100 m descent | Meals - Dinner

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.

Day 2

Hike into Merveilles Valley

Overnight Location - Refuge in Merveilles Valley | Distance - 6 hours, 13 km, 830 m ascent, 250 m descent | Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 3

Day hike to Arpetta Pass

Overnight Location - Refuge in Merveilles Valley | Distance - 5 hours, 8 km, 450 m ascent, 450 m descent | Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 4

Hike to Valmasque Refuge

Overnight Location - Refuge in Valmasque | Distance - 6 hours, 11 km, 500 m ascent, 500 m descent | Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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!

Day 5

Hike back to Casterino

Overnight Location - None | Distance - 4 hours, 10 km, 100 m ascent, 600 m descent | Meals - Breakfast

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.

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What's Included

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Reviews (36)

Tour Booking Process

FAQ

Frequently asked questions for Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour

How hard is the Mercantour National Park Archaeological Hiking Tour?

This tour is rated as a 3 / 5. It requires some level of fitness as there are some moderate elevation gains throughout this trekking tour.

Can I book luggage transfers?

Unfortunately, on this trekking tour accommodations take place at refuges that are not accessible via roads, therefore you should be ready to carry all your necessities in your backpack for 4 days.

What do I need to have with me for this tour?

For this trek, we recommend you have:

Backpack of about 25/30 l
Hiking boots
Clothing suitable for mountain walking
Sleeping bag or sheet sleeping bag
Sunscreen and sunglasses

Do I need a Visa to travel to France?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Mercantour National Park Archaeological Hiking Tour?

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Nice to start this tour?

You can fly to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, and from there, you will get picked up and transfer to Casterino.

Is the Historic Mont Bego Hiking Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide speaks English.

Where does the Mercantour National Park Archaeological Hiking Tour end?

The tour ends in Nice.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for France?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to France for this tour?

The best time to travel to France for this tour is from April to October, however, July and August sometimes get very hot.

Tour Difficulty

From $1,950USD

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Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour

Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour

Trekking the French Riviera’s Alps Tour

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What travellers are saying about 10Adventures

Why travellers choose this tour

We're Canadian