Mercantour is a huge wild national park in the French alps north of Nice and bordering Italy. In addition to typical national parky stuff we are used to, it also has a scattering of tiny mountain villages, many of which proudly proclaim they are on the Tour de France route.
There is so much to see here! Our one alpine hike just gave a taste of what’s available, especially given there are ribbons of asphalt throughout the park giving vehicle access to the high alpine with minimal approach.
This hike started at 1950m and initially followed an old farm track up the river valley.
The grade was wonderful and the views were beautiful almost right away. We passed ancient terraces and a broken down farm house and presumably a shepherds hut.
A couple well built bridges reminded us we were in a national park, but there was otherwise no signage until we were above the tree line.
The boys ranged ahead but dutifully waited for the slower team at appropriately scenic locations.
After traversing some scree and scrub the trail began to climb along gorgeous waterfalls. We lost our shade which slowed Mikaya down, but I soon gave my backpack to Levi and piggybacked her through the hottest bits, keeping everyone moving.
At this point we stopped for a snack and saw the main group of others on the mountain. A French seniors hiking club. Every single member said bonjour as they passed us.
From this point we were above most of the trees an it was up over a ridge and down to the lake.
Coming over the ridge was breathtaking. The kids were ahead and Mikaya and Zeke were already planning to jump in.
Unfortunately we were almost out of food, and we were also running out of daylight (having started early afternoon) and I told them no swimming, sorry. In the end we came down in the light and had just enough calories, so it would of been fine, but I don’t like playing the margins.
We ate our food and explored the lake shore. Amazing picnic spot.
On the way out the kids led again, and we were ambushed with a snowball barrage after coming over the ridge.
Note the snowball supplies and ramparts to the right in the below pic.
We made great time going down and Mikaya was thrilled to fine both her spear (to fight off wolves) and her walking stick on the way down. She had jettisoned them to enter piggyback mode.
We saw one Camoscio on the way down. He preened for Ty’s pics but took off before I got too close.
From this point it was a quick hike back down to the car, passing the old farm house and outbuildings. Amazing hike with perfect vehicle access only a 10 minute drive from St Etienne di Tinee.
We gotta come back here one day. Seeing this one zone and all the other official trails and zones on the map, there is so much to explore!
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