Category Archives: Roya Valley Hikes

<p>Best hikes in the Roya Valley, France.</p>

Voie Sacrée de Fontanalbe

Global Traveller Blog Posted on July 24, 2015 by

July 19 The gravures of the Vallée des Merveilles have been a goal of mine for years. I finally made it! We got an early start at balise 395: 9.10am to be exact. Although definitely warm the heat had not yet become stifling. The patches of shade made it bearable. As we climbed higher it became cooler and the alpine vegetation was cool indeed. A little over 2 hours later we were here in cooler air: We reached balise 388 at 11.30 where a sign directed us to Lac Vert. It took only another 20 minutes but it was a hard 20 minutes as a park official reminded us to put the hiking poles away. The metal tips are forbidden once you enter the area of the gravures. Then, there it was! Lac Vert de Fontanalbe: By now the air was cool and refreshing. The lake was cold but swimmable I suppose once you got past the muddy bottom. After a relaxing lunch, we decided to press on to check out the gravures which involved an easy climb of about 100m to an orientation table with sweeping views that included Mont Bego on one side and its foothills (below) on … Continue reading →

Breil-sur-Roya to Peine Haute

Global Traveller Blog Posted on June 23, 2015 by

We began at balise 2 right outside Breil. and climbed gently until balise 118, then followed the sign to Peine Haute bearing left and slowly descending. The trail was extremely comfortable and well-maintained and the vegetation was beautiful and varied with Mediterranean flowers in full bloom. Soon we walked out of view of the road below and all was peaceful. After a while the trail descended down and down to a mountain stream which would be a great picnic stop. Then, the hard part began. We began climbing and climbing and climbing. The last part after balise 439 climbed rather steeply to Peine Haute. It was rather exposed to the sun at this point but still it was not a difficult trail. Instead of taking the predicted 2 1/2 hours to Peine Haute, it was a good 3 1/2 hours. It then took exactly 3 hours to walk back to Breil. Although not difficult, it was quite long and very up and down with ascents and descents. It is certainly not a hike for the summer, but a good sporting day for spring and fall. A hike to the stream would be pleasant and cut the time and effort substantially. … Continue reading →

Libre Circuit

Global Traveller Blog Posted on August 17, 2014 by

Libre is more than a hilltop village where weathered young men in waist length dreadlocks amble into town with a mule. I’ve always loved the hippie vibe of Libre but now I see it as the launch point for one of the region’s most scenic hikes. The landscape ranges from views of the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Roya valley. The hike followed the recommendations of the Randoxygene. Full details are here. Beginning in Libre at Borne 417, the path mounted steadily. It was in good condition although narrow at points. For the first hour or so sun and shade alternated making this a good hike at all times of the year except the heat of summer. The views facing west were spectacular the entire course of the hike. I followed the sign to La ColetteThen at Borne 419 the path forked north still affording excellent views. That’s the Mediterranean in the distance! After about an hour of climbing: There weren’t many picnic opportunities along the narrow path until just short of its highest point where there was a large rock that made a good rest area.. The hike reached its peak just under the looming Cime of Mairise … Continue reading →

Pas de Colle Ardente, La Brigue

Global Traveller Blog Posted on May 4, 2014 by

Once again I failed to reach the famous waterfalls Cascade de Fraches on this trail. It’s too hard! I started off at Balise 266 next to the Notre Dame des Fontaines in La Brigue. True I started late (a little after noon) but the trail mounted steeply through schist. It was a beautiful spring day though with everything in bloom. It took me a good 1h 45min to get to this point: I was huffing and puffing because the rise was steep and relentless. The trail was in good shape though and well-groomed. No flies but plenty of butterflies and lizards. There were few places to rest and the climb was mostly in the sun but with patches of shade. Those are snow-capped mountains in the distance. This was the highest point at about 1336 or maybe 400m denivilé.This was the first point where it was comfortable to stretch out and munch a sandwich. Whew. After this the trail descended gently and after about 20 minutes or so I could at least hear the waterfalls in the distance. And then I could see them from a distance. Yes that little crack in the center is a distant stream. Soon after … Continue reading →

Circuit de Stroup

Global Traveller Blog Posted on February 24, 2014 by

Park at the entrance to Morignole which is balise 287 and then on the right climb through the village before crossing the bridge and turning right. The path is narrow and faces southeast making it a nice winter walk as it’s quite sunny. In some places dead trees had fallen across the path. There seemed to be a lot of dead trees as well as pines, machia and thorny bushes. The thorn bushes had planted themselves right on the path in many cases and were particularly malevolent. Long pants obligatory and long sleeves desirable. A pair of hedge clippers would come in handy. It took about an hour to reach this balise. Mostly the path was schist, climbing steadily and not too steeply. After the marker, the path was grassy with even more thorn bushes. It climbed a little more steeply but the views were great. The reward was this spot which I reached after about 2 hours. There were no real picnic places until the giant rock slab here. I never did get to Balise 290. I estimate this at least 350m dénivilé.

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