Skip to content

Hiking Trails Under 10 km in Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)

9 routes in Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 7.1 km and 407 m (1,335 ft) of ascent.

That is 31 percent of the 29 routes we map in Parc national du Mercantour (cœur). They are shorter than the local average, 7.1 km against 14.8 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 407 m (1,335 ft) against 625 m (2,051 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Half-day routes: long enough to feel like a proper walk, short enough to leave the afternoon free. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Via Alpina Red R145

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
127 m
Typical duration
1 hr 23 min
Easy

GR 52 variante Gias Cabret

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Mont Gros

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
7.6 km
/ 4.7 mi
Elevation gain
167 m
Typical duration
1 hr 50 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Boucle des Lacs

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
Moderate

Chemin de l'Énergie - Étape 1

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
7.5 km
/ 4.7 mi
Elevation gain
870 m
Typical duration
2 hr 52 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Circuit de Fontanalbe

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
7.9 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
670 m
Typical duration
2 hr 39 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Circuit des Lacs

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
Moderate

Lacs de Prals

Parc national du Mercantour (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
6.8 km
/ 4.3 mi
Elevation gain
530 m
Typical duration
2 hr 13 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Via Alpina Red R145Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)5.8 km127 m1 hr 23 minEasyApril to October
Via Alpina Stage 112 Refuge de Nice ou Victor de Cessole - Refuge MerveillesParc national du Mercantour (cœur)9.3 km205 m2 hr 15 minModerateApril to October
GR 52 variante Gias CabretParc national du Mercantour (cœur)0.8 km18 m12 minEasyApril to October
Mont GrosParc national du Mercantour (cœur)7.6 km167 m1 hr 50 minModerateApril to October
Boucle des LacsParc national du Mercantour (cœur)9.3 km577 m2 hr 48 minModerateApril to October
Chemin de l'Énergie - Étape 1Parc national du Mercantour (cœur)7.5 km870 m2 hr 52 minModerateApril to October
Circuit de FontanalbeParc national du Mercantour (cœur)7.9 km670 m2 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Circuit des LacsParc national du Mercantour (cœur)8.8 km500 m2 hr 36 minModerateApril to October
Lacs de PralsParc national du Mercantour (cœur)6.8 km530 m2 hr 13 minModerateApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Via Alpina Red R145, Via Alpina Stage 112 Refuge de Nice ou Victor de Cessole - Refuge Merveilles, GR 52 variante Gias Cabret. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

People also search for