Four-Day Hiking Circuit Launched in the Valley of Wonders
New eco-tourism initiative offers a guided exploration of prehistoric sites in the Mercantour National Park.
The regional tourist office has introduced a four-day hiking circuit designed to explore one of the most iconic sites within the Mercantour National Park: the Valley of Wonders.
Located approximately two hours by car from Monaco, this area sits at altitudes ranging from 1,900 to 2,700 meters in the commune of Tende, featuring over 40,000 rock engravings that date back to the Bronze Age.
The circuit begins at the Lake of Mesches, surrounded by larch forests and mountain trails, leading to the hamlet of Minière, a former mining settlement now serving as a base camp.
Upon arrival, participants can explore early prehistoric shelters, known as "Gias," hidden among the woods.
On the second day, hikers will venture into the heart of the national park towards the Fontanalba or the Merveilles mountain huts.
This 8 km segment traverses a biodiverse area where visitors may encounter ibex, chamois, golden eagles, as well as rare flora, including saxifrage, which blooms only once every fifty years.
The third day focuses on the discovery of the protohistoric engravings on Mount Bego.
The area is protected and accessible only via marked trails.
It is strongly recommended that visitors are guided by a park-certified guide to access significant sites such as the sacred path, the Rock of the Shard, and the figure known as the "Chief of the Tribe." At this elevation, the mineral landscape, shaped by glaciers 10,000 years ago, offers an immersion into an open-air museum of prehistory.
The final day of the hiking circuit brings participants back to the village of Tende, with a stop at the Museum of Wonders.
The total distance covered throughout the circuit is approximately 40 km, with daily stages ranging from 3 to 15 km and elevation changes of up to 1,100 meters.
Strict adherence to protective guidelines is essential in this area.
Visitors are prohibited from touching or walking on the engravings, picking plants, lighting fires, or bringing dogs.
Only biodegradable toiletries are permitted, and the use of metal-tipped poles or drones is forbidden.
This hiking circuit is organized by Menton Riviera Merveilles, the regional tourist office.
It operates as a trekking circuit with accommodation in lodges or mountain huts.
Practical Information:
- Duration: 4 days of hiking + 4 nights of accommodation (lodges and mountain huts)
- Departure: Lake of Mesches (accessible by car, parking available on-site)
- Level: Difficult (good physical condition required)
For more information, visitors can refer to the official website.
Located approximately two hours by car from Monaco, this area sits at altitudes ranging from 1,900 to 2,700 meters in the commune of Tende, featuring over 40,000 rock engravings that date back to the Bronze Age.
The circuit begins at the Lake of Mesches, surrounded by larch forests and mountain trails, leading to the hamlet of Minière, a former mining settlement now serving as a base camp.
Upon arrival, participants can explore early prehistoric shelters, known as "Gias," hidden among the woods.
On the second day, hikers will venture into the heart of the national park towards the Fontanalba or the Merveilles mountain huts.
This 8 km segment traverses a biodiverse area where visitors may encounter ibex, chamois, golden eagles, as well as rare flora, including saxifrage, which blooms only once every fifty years.
The third day focuses on the discovery of the protohistoric engravings on Mount Bego.
The area is protected and accessible only via marked trails.
It is strongly recommended that visitors are guided by a park-certified guide to access significant sites such as the sacred path, the Rock of the Shard, and the figure known as the "Chief of the Tribe." At this elevation, the mineral landscape, shaped by glaciers 10,000 years ago, offers an immersion into an open-air museum of prehistory.
The final day of the hiking circuit brings participants back to the village of Tende, with a stop at the Museum of Wonders.
The total distance covered throughout the circuit is approximately 40 km, with daily stages ranging from 3 to 15 km and elevation changes of up to 1,100 meters.
Strict adherence to protective guidelines is essential in this area.
Visitors are prohibited from touching or walking on the engravings, picking plants, lighting fires, or bringing dogs.
Only biodegradable toiletries are permitted, and the use of metal-tipped poles or drones is forbidden.
This hiking circuit is organized by Menton Riviera Merveilles, the regional tourist office.
It operates as a trekking circuit with accommodation in lodges or mountain huts.
Practical Information:
- Duration: 4 days of hiking + 4 nights of accommodation (lodges and mountain huts)
- Departure: Lake of Mesches (accessible by car, parking available on-site)
- Level: Difficult (good physical condition required)
For more information, visitors can refer to the official website.