topok44.7°N 6.8°E
Tour du Mercantour - photo 1
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur·France

Tour du Mercantour

Photo © Gilles FRANCOIS (CC BY 2.0) · CC BY

Duration

6-9 days

Distance

117.9 km

Elevation gain

7534 m

Max altitude

2707 m

The Tour of Mercantour is a major alpine crossing in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This 117.9 km trek unfolds over 6 to 9 days through varied and unspoiled landscapes. You will hike among rocky summits reaching 2,707 meters in altitude, dense forests and glacial lakes, also discovering underground caves and spectacular cliffs that shape the relief of the massif. With a total elevation gain of 7,534 meters, this circuit trek offers complete immersion in the Mediterranean mountain world. The route traverses the heart of the Mercantour National Park, a sanctuary of alpine biodiversity where wild fauna and endemic flora intersect. Accessible by public transportation from Nice or Barcelonnette, this circuit allows for genuine disconnection in high mountains without requiring a personal vehicle. The Tour of Mercantour will appeal to hikers seeking authenticity and varied landscapes, away from overcrowded trails.

SummitsCavesForestsLakesCliffs

Stages

8
days
DifficultyModerate
Duration / day5h30
Distance / day14.7 km
Elev. gain / day+961 m
Hardest stage
8Le Cubersel
27.3 km · +1,541 m · 9h30
DepartureArrivalAccommodation on arrivalProfileDurationDistance+Elev.−Elev.
1
Le BataclanRefuge
Chambres d'hôtes "Chez Martine et Serge"Refuge
RefugeGite Le Corborant
RefugeChambres d'hôtes "Chez Martine et Serge"
CampingLes Trinitaires Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée
RefugeLou Ben Manja
RefugeLe Stéphanois
2h006.6 km+255 m711 m
2
Saint-Étienne-de-TinéeVillage
Refuge de RabuonsRefuge
RefugeRefuge de Rabuons
7h3016.5 km+1,770 m406 m
3
Refuge de RabuonsRefuge
Rifugio TalloneRefuge
RefugeRifugio Tallone
RefugePosto Tappa
RefugeRifugio Alpino Casa San Gioachino
9h1524.8 km+1,684 m1,868 m
4
Rifugio TalloneRefuge
Rifugio BucaneveRefuge
RefugeRifugio Bucaneve
1h455.2 km+265 m237 m
5
Rifugio BucaneveRefuge
Pas Du LoupRefuge
RefugeLe Chastillon
RefugeLe Bristol
RefugeLes Châtaigniers
RefugePas Du Loup
RefugeHôtel Druos
1h306.3 km+75 m387 m
6
Le DivaRefuge
Au café d'IsolaRefuge
RefugeAu café d'Isola
RefugeHôtel de France
6h3021 km+813 m1,997 m
7
IsolaVillage
Refuge de LongonRefuge
RefugeRefuge de Longon
5h0010.2 km+1,285 m252 m
8
Refuge de LongonRefuge
Le CuberselCamping
CampingLe Cubersel
9h3027.3 km+1,541 m1,737 m

Elevation profile

J1J2J3J4J5J6J7J8800 m1.3k m1.8k m2.3k m2.8k m020 km40 km60 km80 km100 km118 km
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