GR52 / GR510 Traversée du Mercantour
Photo © Patrick Coquillard (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) · CC BY
15-23 days
394.7 km
13026 m
2714 m
The Traversée du Mercantour via the GR52 and GR510 is a 394.7 km alpine adventure crossing the Alpes-Maritimes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Over 15 to 23 days of hiking, this mountain route accumulating 13,026 m of elevation gain takes you up to 2,714 m in altitude, offering total immersion in the contrasting landscapes of the Mercantour massif. You will discover rocky summits, crystalline glacial lakes, dense forests, spectacular cliffs, mysterious caves and preserved valleys that characterize this exceptional region. The GR52/GR510 allows you to traverse wild territories while remaining accessible to hikers seeking a genuine alpine experience. No car is necessary: Line 790 Lignes d'Azur (Nice–Entraunes) and the summer on-demand shuttle to Estenc ensure access to the starting point, while the return is via the Train des Merveilles Nice–Tende or Line 100 Menton–Nice.
Stages
| Departure | Arrival | Accommodation on arrival | Profile | Duration | Distance | +Elev. | −Elev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 EntraunesVillage | Refuge de la CantonnièreRefuge | 3h00 | 7.4 km | +608 m | −0 m | ||
2 La Coquille 1732Refuge | Hôtel de SestrièresRefuge | 5h30 | 17.6 km | +703 m | −1,056 m | ||
3 Saint-Dalmas-le-SelvageVillage | Gîte communal de BousieyasRefuge | 6h45 | 18.6 km | +1,135 m | −758 m | ||
4 Gîte communal de BousieyasRefuge | Rifugio Becchi RossiRefuge | 4h30 | 12 km | +801 m | −792 m | ||
5 Rifugio Becchi RossiRefuge | Refuge des Lacs de VensRefuge | 3h15 | 7.1 km | +711 m | −236 m | ||
6 Refuge des Lacs de VensRefuge | Refuge de RabuonsRefuge | 4h15 | 13.6 km | +549 m | −399 m | ||
7 Refuge de RabuonsRefuge | Rifugio De Alexandris - Foches al LausRefuge | 5h45 | 17.1 km | +852 m | −1,442 m | ||
8 Rifugio De Alexandris - Foches al LausRefuge | Posto TappaRefuge | RefugePosto Tappa RefugeRifugio Alpino Casa San Gioachino | 5h15 | 13.6 km | +963 m | −864 m | |
9 Posto TappaRefuge | Pas Du LoupRefuge | 3h15 | 10.4 km | +436 m | −389 m | ||
10 Les ChâtaigniersRefuge | Rifugio Emilio QuestaRefuge | 3h45 | 9.9 km | +710 m | −406 m | ||
11 Rifugio Emilio QuestaRefuge | Refuge des AdusRefuge | RefugeRefuge des Adus | 4h45 | 15.8 km | +561 m | −1,154 m | |
12 Refuge des AdusRefuge | Chalet VidronRefuge | RefugeChalet Vidron | 2h15 | 7.6 km | +296 m | −322 m | |
13 Parc Alpha (Loups)Refuge | Refuge de la Madone de FenestreRefuge | 3h30 | 8.5 km | +726 m | −554 m | ||
14 Refuge de la Madone de FenestreRefuge | Refuge de NiceRefuge | 2h45 | 5.7 km | +681 m | −399 m | ||
15 Refuge de NiceRefuge | Refuge des MerveillesRefuge | 3h30 | 9.4 km | +582 m | −672 m | ||
16 Refuge des MerveillesRefuge | Gîte d'étape L'Estive du MercantourRefuge | 4h00 | 12.9 km | +516 m | −893 m | ||
17 Gîte d'étape L'Estive du MercantourRefuge | Maison St JosephRefuge | RefugeMaison St Joseph | 4h45 | 18.3 km | +291 m | −1,400 m | |
18 SospelVillage | La Ferme Saint-BernardCamping | CampingLa Ferme Saint-Bernard | 4h30 | 12.9 km | +756 m | −578 m | |
19 CastellarVillage | MentonTown | 2h15 | 7.7 km | +281 m | −1,064 m |
Elevation profile
How to get there
Public transport
Fully accessibleDeparture: Bus line 790 Nice–Entraunes (Lignes d'Azur), on-demand shuttle in summer to Estenc. Return from Sospel/Menton: Train des Merveilles (Nice–Tende) or bus line 100 Menton–Nice.
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