Moderate
Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 8.8 km / 5.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 500 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 36 min
- Waymarked route
Col de la Boucharde
HardParc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 16.7 km (10.4 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 870 m (2,854 ft)
- Typical time
- 4 hr 50 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Col de la Boucharde
Col de la Boucharde is a 16.7 km hiking route in Parc national du Mercantour (cœur). It climbs roughly 870 m (2,854 ft) along the way. Most people take around 4 hr 50 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.
The character of the walk comes from the landscape it crosses rather than a single headline sight, which is exactly why it stays quiet even in high season.
It is a 16.7 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The route is maintained by Département des Alpes-Maritimes.
In short, Col de la Boucharde suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Hard16.7 km870 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Follow park rules
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 50/100
- Adventure
- 38/100
- Difficulty
- 61/100
- Accessibility
- 29/100
- Family
- 16/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near Col de la Boucharde
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 9.3 km / 5.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 577 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 48 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 19.0 km / 11.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 600 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 59 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 25.7 km / 16.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 566 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 32 min
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
Easy
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 1.4 km / 0.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 77 m
- Typical duration
- 25 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 5.0 km / 3.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 249 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 24 min
- Waterfall
- Waymarked route