Create an account

Start your adventure today.

    0

    Already a member? Login

    Fontanalba

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Moderate
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    4.5-6h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    13.2 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    705 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Overall Rating
    This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
    9.8
    Physical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Technical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Read Reviews
    Directions to Trailhead
    Panorama from the Fontanalba hike in Mercantour National Park, France

    In the heart of the Mercantour National Park, “the valley of wonders” is an exceptional open archaeological site, where thousands of prehistoric engravings have been recorded. It is long, but it's also an easier hike, where you will walk past some mountain lakes and chamois and ibex goats!

    Download the 10Adventures App

    View Fontanalba on Map

    View Map

    Join our newsletter

    Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

    Route Description for Fontanalba

    From where you’re parked, take the dirt road on the left, following signs to "Fontanalba". The road, built in the ‘30s for the war, steeply rises, but then - after twenty minutes of walking - flattens out, overlooking the panoramic valley of Fontanalba. Mount Bego, a sacred mountain for the ancients, stands in the background.

    After about one hour of walking, you will reach a junction with a sign for the Lac de Grenouille, or Lake of the Frogs, which, with a deviation, you can reach in fifteen minutes.

    If you continue straight, you will arrive - after fifteen minutes - at the Gias of Fontanalba, where the road divides. If you head straight down you go back to Casterino; if you go right you’ll continue up to Fontanalba. After another quarter of an hour, you reach the refuge of Fontanalba, which is closed for repairs, but could be open in 2018. You will leave with the refuge to your right.

    The road will delve into a forest of larch trees. Pay attention. The rocks are particularly unstable here and after the thunderstorms there may be rockslides. Continue up to the bridge where - in summer - you can normally meet a ranger who will give you information about the accessibility to the area of rock engravings.

    After crossing the bridge, you’ll see a path on the left indicating to "Lac Vert". The lake is a good place to have break or relax under the shade of the trees, and it’ll only take 10 minutes to get to. Here you can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the Roya Valley.

    Walk along the lake. After ten-minutes of climbing, you’ll reach a junction. The path on the right brings you to the first rock engravings, which are visible a few hundred meters.

    Going back to the junction, you’ll continue close to a little river and that’ll lead you to the Lac Jumeaux, (twin lakes) where you can relax and eat lunch.

    To finish the tour, you can continue up to the Ranger’s shelter. To the left of the shelter are some panoramic views. Here the views of the valley and the Ligurian Alps are truly exceptional.

    A little further and you begin to walk down through the "Via Sacra" (the “Sacred Road”), one of the most famous sites rich in rock engravings of the Neolithic and Bronze Age. A descriptive panel reveals some of the meanings of these engravings.

    At the bottom of the Via Sacra, continue on the right along the path. After a quarter of an hour, on this military road, you’ll arrive at the bridge from before.

    Insider Hints for Fontanalba

    • Lac des Grenouilles is a beautiful lake and it’s surrounded by marmot colonies, so see if you can spot any!
    • If you are interested in understanding the significance of rock engravings, you can ask for an authorized guide, which will take you, for an extra half an hour, to visit some particularly significant engravings within the regulated area, closed to the public.
    • Curious where to stay around here? Check out the Tourism Office of Tenda.
    • Check out the Musee des Merveilles while you’re in the area. Their exhibits add more context to the Valley of Wonders and tell some fascinating stories.

    Getting to the Fontanalba Trailhead

    From Nice, head to Ventimiglia, then take the SS20 towards the “Colle di Tenda” until San Dalmas de Tende. From there, turn left onto the narrow and tortuous Route D91 up to Casterino for 15.0 km. Once in Casterino continue 2.0 km past the last hotel and park at the shepherd’s house

    Route Information

    • When to do

      June to end of October

    • Backcountry Campsites

      Yes, Close to the Fontanalba hut, in Casterino or Tende

    • Toilets

      Yes, in Casterino

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Moderate

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Fontanalba Elevation Graph

    Weather Forecast

    Check Area Weather

    Fontanalba Reviews

    Add a comment

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Nearby Trails

    Nearby Regions

    Get travel inspiration and discounts

    Join our weekly travel newsletter