Things to Do in Mercantour
National Park Guide
Mercantour, a national park in the French Alps, is situated between the high Alps and the Mediterranean, featuring a diverse topography that ranges from 300 to over 3,000 meters in altitude. This area is characterized by high peaks, extensive mountain pastures, and deep valleys, providing varied landscapes for outdoor pursuits. Protected larch woodlands, fir, spruce, and stone pine forests add to the scenic beauty and offer varied terrain for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and…
228
Routes
4.6
(1739)
Average rating
23416
People visited
4.9
(138)
699
hikers
13.2km
05:56
820m
820m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(99)
770
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(49)
571
hikers
10.5km
03:49
540m
540m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(59)
341
hikers
8.41km
02:58
480m
480m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
157
riders
87.0km
09:40
2,400m
2,400m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.3
(8)
102
riders
34.3km
02:50
1,110m
1,110m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
16
riders
43.0km
03:50
1,290m
1,290m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
37
riders
71.4km
05:56
2,330m
2,330m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(6)
393
riders
81.2km
04:31
1,690m
1,690m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.0
(2)
165
riders
69.0km
04:37
2,310m
2,310m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
87
riders
91.2km
05:28
2,400m
2,390m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(3)
93
riders
27.6km
01:51
900m
900m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.7
(28)
238
riders
33.5km
03:17
780m
780m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.6
(32)
205
riders
22.3km
02:28
660m
660m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.7
(11)
107
riders
25.7km
03:25
1,230m
1,230m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
2.0
(1)
8
riders
29.2km
03:23
1,160m
1,160m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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5.0
(2)
78
riders
40.2km
03:12
1,150m
1,150m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(4)
72
riders
30.4km
02:30
950m
950m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(16)
47
riders
19.4km
01:25
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.3
(4)
54
riders
24.5km
02:06
870m
870m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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9
runners
12.4km
01:50
590m
590m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
runners
15.7km
02:21
820m
820m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
1.0
(1)
309
runners
29.5km
05:15
2,000m
2,000m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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14
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
7
hikers
16.4km
07:58
1,310m
1,310m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(1)
10
hikers
4.45km
03:03
480m
480m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
6
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Mercantour National Park?
Mercantour National Park is a protected area in the French Alps, situated between the high Alps and the Mediterranean. It features a diverse topography ranging from 984 feet (300 meters) to over 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) in altitude. The park is recognized for its rich biodiversity and significant prehistoric heritage.
What outdoor activities are available in Mercantour National Park?
Mercantour National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The park features over 160 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.6 stars from komoot users. More information is available in the Attractions in Mercantour guide.
What are the best hiking trails in Mercantour National Park?
Popular hiking trails include the Vallée des Merveilles, known for its prehistoric rock engravings, and routes to Lac d'Allos, Europe's largest natural mountain lake. Other notable options are the Lac de Trécolpas et Refuge de Cougourde loop and the Les Gorges de Daluis loop. A comprehensive list can be found in the Hiking in Mercantour guide.
Are there road cycling routes in Mercantour National Park?
Yes, Mercantour National Park features iconic road passes like the Col de Turini and Col de la Bonette, which have been part of the Tour de France. Cyclists can explore challenging loops such as the Red Gorges Discovery Trail or the Col de la Couillole and Gorges du Cians Loop. The Road Cycling Routes in Mercantour guide provides more details.
Can I go mountain biking in Mercantour National Park?
Mountain biking is possible in Mercantour National Park, particularly in deep forested valleys like the Ubaye Valley. However, off-road cycling is restricted in certain areas to protect the natural environment. Routes like the Tête de Rigaud and Cime de Raton Loop are available. Consult the MTB Trails in Mercantour guide for more information.
Are there family-friendly or easy hiking trails in Mercantour National Park?
Mercantour National Park offers trails suitable for various skill levels, including easier options. Specific family-friendly routes can be found, allowing visitors of all ages to experience the park's natural beauty. The Easy hikes in Mercantour guide provides suitable suggestions.
What are the notable natural features and landmarks in Mercantour National Park?
The park features Mont Gélas, the highest point in the Alpes-Maritimes section at 10,312 feet (3,143 meters), and numerous glacial lakes, including Lac d'Allos. The Gorges de Daluis and Gorges du Cians are known for their red rock walls. The Vallée des Merveilles is famous for its prehistoric rock engravings.
What kind of wildlife can be seen in Mercantour National Park?
Mercantour National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to abundant wildlife. Visitors may spot chamois, ibex, marmots, golden eagles, and mountain goats. The park also hosts mouflon, deer, wild boar, and a reintroduced wolf population.
What is the Vallée des Merveilles known for?
The Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Marvels) is renowned for its significant prehistoric rock engravings. These petroglyphs, numbering around 40,000, date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, depicting animals, weapons, and human figures. It is considered an ancient sanctuary.
How popular is Mercantour National Park among komoot users?
Mercantour National Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 18,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The park's routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating high satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Where can I find official information or contact Mercantour National Park?
The official website for Mercantour National Park is www.mercantour.eu. For general inquiries, the park's contact phone number is 04 93 16 78 88. These resources provide additional official information.
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