Hiking in Mercantour National Park: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You
4.90
(32 reviews)
Discover the idyllic beauty and incredible wildlife tucked into the mountains valleys of southeast France!
Situated on France’s border with Italy, Mercantour National Park boats more than 600 kilometers of hiking trails in the mountains and valleys and is chock-full of incredible scenery and wondrous wildlife. Compare and book a certified guide for your trip on Explore-Share.com: 1500+ guides, 70+ countries and more than 8000 different programs to choose from. Take a pick from our selection of Hiking trips in Mercantour National Park. The mountains are calling!
Top hiking trips | France
(4.8)
FAQs: Hiking in France
What should I know about Hiking Mercantour National Park?
Sprawling over 650 square kilometers in the southeast corner of France and boasting more than 600 kilometers of hiking trails, Mercantour National Park is a veritable paradise for hiking enthusiasts.
Among the most popular hiking options is a one-day trek through Vésubie Valley and Madone de Fenestre. This path takes you to the summit of the highest mountain in the park, Gélas, (3,143 meters) where you can see as far south as the Mediterranean and get gorgeous views into the Alps to the north.
Another popular option is to head out on a multi-day trek, staying at various mountain cottages and huts each night. Heading to the famous Vallée des Merveilles makes for a great multi-day trek, especially when an ascent of Mont Bego is included. Here hikers can admire more than 37,000 petroglyphs too!
Why should I choose Mercantour National Park for my Hiking adventure?
Stunning scenery
Boasting alpine meadows, mountains, lakes and forests, there is no shortage of stunning scenery in Mercantour National Park. Heading out on a hike is an incredible way to take in the national park’s stunning beauty and take in some awe-inspiring views.
All kinds of hiking
Mercantour National Park offers all sorts of different hiking experiences. Boasting seven different valleys, there are plenty of options for spectacular single-day trips as well as longer multi-day treks, which allow visitors to stay at various mountain cottages along the way.
Wonderful Wildlife
One of the most exciting parts of hiking in Mercantour National Park is getting the chance to see all of the local wildlife. It is not uncommon to see ibex, marmots, ermine, buzzards, red deer, golden eagles, wild boars and even, if you’re lucky, wolves! There are also plenty of plant species to see as well.
What can I expect from the weather during my Hiking trip in Mercantour National Park?
During the hiking season, Mercantour National Park enjoys average daily temperatures ranging from 18 ºC to 28 ºC. These temperatures dip a bit, the higher up you are in elevation. In terms of rain, the summer and autumn are the wettest months of the year, with August being the wettest month.
How can I get to Mercantour National Park?
The easiest way to get to Mercantour National Park is generally flying into the international airport in Nice (NCE). From here, you can rent a car and make the incredibly scenic drive 1.5 hour drive to the park.
Which language is predominantly spoken in the Mercantour National Park region?
French
What's the country code for the Mercantour National Park region?
+33
What currency is accepted around Mercantour National Park?
Euro
When is the best time to travel to Mercantour National Park for Hiking?
May to September
What people are saying about Hiking |
5.00
We spent a day hiking with guide Fabrice in Mecantaur Park. It was a great hike with different levels of difficulty. We rested at the lake at around 2000 meters and then made our way to the mountain pass high above. We were rewarded with a lot of wildlife sightings and even a patch of snow in August. Patrice was great and gave us a lot of information about the area and the flora and fauna. He was also great at pointing out historical events that took place in the area in the past.
Corinne
5.00
Fabrice nous a proposé une très belle randonnée. Il nous a permis d'observer la flore et de voir de nombreux chamois, des marmottes. Le niveau de marche était parfaitement adapté au groupe. Très belle journée !
REKHA
5.00
We really enjoyed our trip up and around Utelle. Based on weather conditions, Fabrice identified and organized a slightly different hike for optimal views and tailored to our hiking abilities. He also organized hotel transportation and a lovely picnic. He was very knowledgeable about local history. We are so glad that we were able to get off the beaten path and see something truly special.
Pascal
5.00
I had an amazing day, guide was very good and helpfull. I was some wildlife and the nature was breathtaking... thx a lot
Daniel
5.00
This was our second hike with Fabric who is a great guide. He was born and raised in the area and is completely knowledgeable about the nature and history of the coastal cities and the park. The day that we hiked, was cloudy and cool at the higher elevations so he selected alternate routes that provided us with spectacular views of the mountain valleys that make up the park as well as a tour of Sospel a fascinating village that was part of the salt trade. The scenery is definitely worth the hike and Fabrice is a great guide and a pleasure to be with.
Find more hiking trips in France
Join our newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.