MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR - SELF GUIDEDWALKING HOLIDAY

Starting high in the mountain villages of the Mercantour National Park in France this walking

adventure heads south through the Roya Valley towards the azure waters of the Med. The walk

follows a trail very close to the Italian border and many influences can be seen through the

architecture and traditional style of the local perched villages. They form natural balconies

overlooking the Med to the south and provide wonderful views all around. Lush forest paths,

spectacular views, rugged quiet trails and traditional cuisine combined with local wine make this

area of South East France a walkers delight.

Your journey begins in St Dalmas de Tende, high in the mountains of the Mercantour National Park. You

then follow the trail south passing many traditional mountain villages, rich in history to the turquoise waters

of the Med. Your journey ends in Menton which has a wonderful port and old town where you can explore

after your walking adventure. It is also renowned for its orange and lemon groves due to the warm

Mediterranean climate.

Fabulous walking combined with traditional, local simple Hotels. Breakfast is provided every morning and

an evening meal is also included on 6 nights. Baggage transfer and great backup are of course included to

ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in South East France.

The rugged and quiet mountain paths of the Mercantour National Park

Wild colourful flowers and lush forest walking

Magnificent 360 degree views from the perched mountain villages

Traditional, local French/Italiian cuisine at your overnight accommodation

The village of Menton on the French Riviera - nicknamed ‘The Pearl of France’

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US?

Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers

we know what makes for an unforgettable walking holiday and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding

walking holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm,

welcoming accommodation are all guaranteed.

From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows the area intimately.

They help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time with their in-depth

knowledge of the route, accommodation and must-see attractions.

Self guided walking holidays are the very best way to explore a new destination. Pre booked

accommodation, detailed route notes and maps, daily baggage transfer and local backup support mean you

can relax and enjoy your time walking.

SUMMARY

What’s Included?Accommodation: 7 Nights in traditionalsmall local hotels.Meals: Breakfast included every morningand 6 evening meals included.Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggagetransfer included.Info Pack: Detailed route notes and mapson arrival and emergency support from ourlocal French partner.

Tour: Mountain Villages of the MercantourCode: WSFMVMType: Self-Guided Walking HolidayPrice: See WebsiteSingle Supplement: See WebsiteDates: April - OctoberDays: 8 Days (6 Walking Days)Nights: 7 NightsStart/Finish: St-Dalmas-de-Tende/MentonGrade: Moderate

HIGHLIGHTS

Is It For Me?If you are looking to escape the daily grindand shake off the cobwebs then why nothead to the Mountains of South East France.Wonderful and relaxed walking throughsecluded villages, high on the slopes of theRoya valley.

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THEMERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Our Itinerary includes 6 Days walking and 7

Nights accommodation in traditional family run

hotels (4 nights) and in 2 star hotels (3 nights).

Breakfast is included every morning and 6

evening meals are included.

Code: WFSMVDDays: 8 (6 Walking Days)Nights: 7Grade: Moderate

DAY 1

Arrive St-Dalmas-de-Tende

St-Dalmas-de-Tende is located in the hills of the

Mercantour National Park very close to the Italian

border. The best way to reach the village is to fly

into Nice and take the morning train via Briel (1hr

40mins).

Your information pack including route notes and

maps will be waiting for you at your Hotel in St

Dalmas de Tende, please arrive before 19:00

hrs, in time for your evening meal.

Overnight: St Dalmas de Tende - Hotel Le

Prieure - DB&B

DAY 2

Circular walk around St-Dalmas-de-Tende

Todays walk passes through two superb

medieval villages packed with history. La Brigue

is the first village you come to after walking

through lush forests and through a couple of

ravines. Take time to explore the village with its

pretty church and winding cobbled streets.

Heading onwards you follow the path uphill

slightly to get some fabulous views below to

Tende which is the next village you come across.

You pass Eagles Monument which is a wonderful

place to stop for a picnic lunch. The museum in

Tende is worth a visit aswell as all the shops and

cobbled streets. You have the option from here

to take the train back to St Dalmas de Tende or

walk back through woodland paths.

Walk: 9.2-15.7km, 3.30-5.30 hrs, 600m ascent / -

500m descent

Overnight: St Dalmas de Tende - Hotel Le

Prieure - DB&B

DAY 3

Walk to Fontan

Today’s walk passes through a series of isolated

villages which are built of dry stone walls and

roofed with the local slate from the area. Some

woodland walking today and as you head to

Granile you have superb views down to the

turquoise waters of the Med. From here you

follow a zigzagging track alongside some cliffs

until you cross the vallon de Burghe by a

remarkable bridge which then heads into Fontan

for your overnight stay.

Walk: 15 km, 5.30 hrs, 900m ascent / - 1000m

descent

Overnight: Fontan - Hotel Le Terminus -

DB&B

DAY 4

Walk to Breil-sur-Roya

You follow the old salt road to Breil-sur-Roya

today passing through the impressive village of

Saorge perched high on the hillside. It overlooks

the Roya Valley and its full of picturesque

streets, ancient churches and chapels and

sundials. The village is stretched out in an arc

with views across to the North as well as the

South. The trail from Saorge passes some

beautiful water filled pot-holes which are very

tempting to bathe in! From here to Breil-sur-

Roya you follow river crossings and head

downhill on curved paths passing many dry-

stoned walls and footpaths. As you approach the

village you follow the route parallel to the river

until you reach the main square of Breil-sur-

Roya.

Walk: 12.5 km, 5.30 hrs, 700m ascent / - 800m

descent

Overnight: Breil-sur-Roya - Hotel La Bonne

Auberge - DB&B

DAY 5

Walk to Sospel

The walking today starts off heading uphill along

the GR510 (one of Frances National Network of

long distance footpaths). You soon leave the

main path to follow the valley route passing pine

trees and gently flowing streams. You end up in

Piene Haute another perched village with

outstanding views to the surrounding mountains

and also the sea. Explore the village by heading

to the church and the ruined chateau which is

closeby. The next section to Sospel passes an

old lime kiln and magnificent footpath renowned

for its wild flowers. You are very close to the

Italian border on todays walk and you can see a

chapel in the midst of olive groves which is

between France and Italy.

Walk: 15km, 5.30hrs, 600m ascent/ -700m

descent

Day Route Km

1

2

345678

Arrive St Dalmas-de-TendeCircular walk aroundSt-Dalmas-de-TendeWalk to FontanWalk to Breil-sur-RoyaWalk to SospelWalk to Sainte-AgnesWalk to MentonOnward Travel

9-16

15.512.5151813

DETAILED ITINERARY

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THEMERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

Overnight: Sospel Hotel - Auberge du Pont

Vieux - DB&B

DAY 6

Walk to Sainte-Agnes

Before leaving Sospel visit the remains of the

fortified castle and the cathedral of this ancient

village. A steep start to todays walk for the first

hour but you are rewarded with wonderful views

over Sospel village. The walking levels out after

the initial climb and heads through farmland until

you reach the foot of the cliffs of Barme Routa.

From here the path undulates again until you

reach Col de Castillon. The next section follows

a good path until you reach a tiny chapel where

the path climbs up a stony track into the village of

Sainte-Agnes which is the highest coastal village

of Europe.

Walk: 18 km, 3-5hrs, 580m - 1040m ascent/ -240

-700 descent

Overnight: Sainte Agnes - Hotel Le Saint-

Yves - DB&B

DAY 7

Walk to Menton

Your final days walking follows a route down

through the village of Castellar which overlooks

the sea, it is built on a hill and the views across

to Menton and the Med are spectacular. There

are many interesting features of the village

including the ancient church and chapel. The

track then heads downhill into Menton via the

cathedral. Menton is renowned for its beauty,

exceptional climate and its flaura and fauna. It

has charm and its old quarter overlooks harbours

and beaches.

Walk: 13km, 5.30hrs, 150m ascent / -700m

descent

Overnight: Menton - Hotel Moderne - B&B

DAY 8

Onward Travel

Additional Nights and Extensions

We would recommend an extra night in Menton

at the end of your walk but you can add

additional nights at any point along the walk.

Please contact us for more details.

Tailor Made Holidays

We are always more than happy to tailor our

standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what

you would like and we will be happy to arrange a

tailor made walking holiday.

Grade & Fitness

This walking holiday is graded Moderate. Daily

walks are a mixture of forest paths some with a

few sections of steep terrain. A couple of days

are long and some of the trails are on narrow

paths so make sure you have a head for heights.

You should be a regular walker and have a good

level of walking fitness to get the most from this

holiday.

Navigation

The routes on this walk are not waymarked but

we provide you with detailed route notes and

maps to follow so you should have no problem.

Accommodation

We specifically select your accommodation in

local, family run hotels to ensure that you enjoy

every minute of your stay in France. They all

offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional

hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to

give you an authentic experience and use

traditional small hotels.

Alternate accommodation

During high season, you might be booked into a

different accommodation which is not listed in the

description, and the start or end of some of your

walking routes may be slightly altered. Any

alternative accommodation will be of the same or

better standard as those described and details

will all be sent to you.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we

would be happy to accommodate you although

there is a single room supplement payable.

Solo Walkers

This holiday is not available for solo walkers due

to safety issues.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning

and dinner is included on six of your nights. (the

last night is not included giving you the option to

chose from one of the many options in Menton).

Most accommodations are happy to provide a

packed lunch - this should be requested on

arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or

stop along the trail. Your route notes have

details for each day including rest stops and

places of interest.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your

accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask

you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to

20kg per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment

list which includes standard walking gear such as

good walking boots or shoes, warm and

waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Getting to St-Dalmas-de-Tende

By Air - The closest airport to fly into is Nice.

Many low cost and charter airlines fly from both

the UK and Europe.

From Nice Airport - You can take a shuttle into

the centre of Nice (20mins) and then a train to St

TRAVEL INFORMATION

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THEMERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

Dalmas de Tende (1hr 40 mins). You need to

arrive in your hotel in St Dalmas de Tende in

time for your evening meal (before 7pm)

Getting from Menton

Travelling onward from Menton couldn't be

easier, you can take the train to Nice (35mins)

and then the shuttle to the airport and onward

travel from here. Alternatively you can take the

train from Nice to any other destination in

France.

Price

Please refer to our website for up to date prices

and availability.

Availability

This walking holiday is available from April to

October. It is available daily between these

dates.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have

suitable travel insurance that covers you for

cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. It is

always advisable to book insurance as soon as

you confirm your holiday.

We operate holidays in some of the most

beautiful areas of the world and try to operate in

an environmentally aware and sustainable

manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S.

Responsible travel policy. The full policy is

available online and the cornerstones of this

policy are:

Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit

Action & Advocacy

Carbon & Communities

Sensitive & Sustainable

Included

Accommodation for 7 nights in comfortable,traditional Hotels

7 breakfasts

6 Dinners

Luggage transport as per itinerary

Detailed route notes and maps on arrival

A pre-departure information pack

24-hour assistance by phone from our localcontact.

Excluded

Flights and transfers to first / from lastaccommodation

Travel to and from France

Travel Insurance

Personal expenses such as drinks, phonecalls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

Any items not specifically mentioned in theprogram

Optional Extras

Single room supplement(s) if applicable

Airport transfers

Additional nights during the holiday.

Once you have read all the information in this

factsheet or our website and would like to go

ahead with your booking you can book securely

online at www.macsadventure.com or by

telephone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel,

Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with

Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the

initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all

monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation

to the country of origin for the passengers

outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to

the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

There is no requirement for Financial Protection

of day trips, and none is provided. This

insurance is only valid for packages booked that

DO NOT include flights.

Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP

Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance is

only valid for passengers who book and pay

directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further

information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk

This Insurance has been arranged by

International Passenger Protection Limited and

underwritten by Insurers who are members of the

Association of British Insurers & Lloyds

Syndicates.

AITO Quality Statement

Macs Adventure is a member of

the Association of Independent

Tour Operators. The Association represents

Britain’s leading independent tour operators and

encourages high standards of quality and

service.

Macs Adventure abides by the Association’s

Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO

Quality Charter which can be viewed on

www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more

about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

ABTA MemberStatement

Macs Adventure Holidays

is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA.

Members help holidaymakers to get the most

from their travel and assist when things don’t go

according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a

high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code

of Conduct. www.abta.com

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

HOW TO BOOK

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THEMERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED