1-day Hiking Fenestre Lake and Pass in Mercantour National Park
Join UIMLA-certified Mountain Leader Fabrice on this 1-day hike in the Mercantour National Park, close to the French Riviera, exploring the beautiful area of the Fenestre Lake and Pass.
Private
Alps
1 Day
Jun - Oct
Low
Highlights
- Explore one of the most popular hiking spots in the southern French Alps
- Discover unique wildlife and nature next to the French Riviera
- Enjoy a great hike with breathtaking views and a beautiful blue lake
Description
The Fenestre Lake and Pass -or Col de Fenestre- is one of the most famous hikes you can do in the Mercantour National Park. About 1.30 hours from Nice, you can enjoy the road going through beautiful medieval villages and reaching an altitude of 1800 meters high (about 6200 feet high) in the heart of the park.
In the Madone de Fenestre valley, we are surrounded by an impressive alpine landscape with the highest peaks of the Mercantour Park, reaching 10000 feet high. Wildlife such as chamois, ibex, marmots and other alpine fauna and flora is all around.
Pastorale life, with cows breading, and heritage testimonies are also present everywhere here in the Vésubie valley, with prehistoric, ancient and Middle Ages testimonies to more recent World War’s defensive fortifications.
We will even step into Italy as we get to the borderline and enjoy the view towards the Italian side of the park. The cristal clear blue/turquoise lake is also easily reachable.
Next to Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo and the French Riviera, the Mercantour National Park is a large protected area that includes 8 different valleys.
Mercantour is where the southern French Alps meet the Mediteranean Sea, offering a very interesting biodiversity. Our meeting point will be the village of Saint Martin Vésubie.
This is the 1-day hike “easy option”, but a sportier option may also be proposed. There are many other great hikes available in this area. This hiking program is a great refreshing gateway in summertime, from June to October.
If you’d like to join me and explore this beautiful are in the Mercantour National Park, just send me a request. I will be happy to take you on this unique hike. In case you want to check out other hiking tours in France, have a look at my profile page.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- The picnic is not included in the price. It can be provided by an extra 12€ per person.
Details
More info
PRICE PER PERSON Group of 8 to 10 people: 30 EUR Group of 11 to 12 people: 25 EUR
-Please note you need to bring good hiking shoes. Warm clothes may be usefull (polar fleece), sunscreen, sunglasses.
-You can buy food or anything you may need in Saint Martin Vésubie, where we will meet.
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
Water bottle
Poles
Sunglasses
Boots, breathable Jacket and rain vest, micro fleece and mountain t-shirts, cap, sunscreen.
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Fabrice
4.9
(50)
Mountain Leader
I am a hiking guide (International Mountain Leader) who has been working all over France (including Provence and the Alps), Italy and Portugal since 2001. I speak fluent English due to my frequent trips to Taos Ski Valley (in New Mexico, USA where my family runs a great hotel and ski school), and my hiking trips in the American Southwest.
I live mainly in Nice (French Riviera), but I also move all over the Alps working in different alpine valleys. I often visit Martinique (French Caribbean island), where I enjoy rainforest and tropical hikes.
When I´m not guiding, I also work as a photographer, and like to climb, ski, play tennis, or kitesurf in my spare time. Additionally, I really enjoy botany and history.
I can guide you for a half day or for as many days as you like. I´ll take you to discover my favourite French Riviera alpine region, and the wild and large Mercantour National Park (counting 8 different valleys) near Nice, Monte Carlo and Cannes.
In my region we can enjoy the Mediterranean landscape at sea level. As we move into higher altitudes, we will discover alpine lakes, larch or pine forests, orchids and alpine flowers, open meadows, spectacular medieval perched villages and old baroque chapels and churches, with great historic value.
We can also discover the hiking hotspots in Provence such as Calanques National Park, Verdon gorges, Sainte Victoire and the Var region, with Saint Tropez a particular highlight.
I also love to hike in Italy in the very famous world heritage Cinque Terre (the amazing national park of the "Five Lands"), or in Liguria near San Remo.
And finally, I always enjoy taking my guests to the northern Alps: to Chamonix and Mont Blanc´s amazingly large panoramas or to the great Vanoise National Park, the largest in the heart of French Alps.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
What people are saying about this trip
LAM
Anonymous
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.
REKHA
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.
Amy
This is a stunning hike with magnificent scenery and views throughout. Fabrice was a wonderful guide. He had expert knowledge about the area and throughout the hike pointed out numerous different types of wildlife, plants, rocks as well as explaining the history of the area. He was passionate and engaging. This was a great experience and one of the highlights of our holiday.
Daria
It was a great adventure in a very nice and professional company:)
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