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Crossing of the Mercantour

This ride links two spaces-time: the eternity of a wild landscape and the time of man and his first writings.

Crossing of the Mercantour

5 Days/4nights - 1100€

June 18 - 22

17 - 21 July

7 - 11 August

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These rides take you to the heart of the Mercantour National Park, along different routes, to discover its unique mountains 

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The itinerary is given as an example, the final itinerary will be communicated to you before departure. 

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D1 / 6:30 a.m. from horse 

The horses first go towards the valley of Molière. The riders evolve among the larches and the fir trees. The tracks lend themselves to paces. The arrival at the Col de la Mercière announces the crossing of the Isola 2000 alpine ski resort. The scree crossings reveal the agility of the cavalry. The Col de la Lombarde, the famous one, marks the border and reveals an Italian alpine landscape: the mountains razed by the weanlings. A gentle path leads to the monastery of Santa Anna di Vinadio, an important place of pilgrimage in the Southern Alps; a mystical night is preparing.

Departure 9am at Boréon

  • Gaits: calm paces on the mountain trails, faster paces on the slopes

  • Picnic prepared by us

  • Overnight at Sant'ana Sanctuary di Vinadio

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D2 / 7h of Horse 

​The next day is the Italian mountains. A track in the meadows where marmots are numerous. Very quickly a mountain path, very mineral, to reach, we didn't believe it, the Orgias pass. And there, the mountain reveals its surprise: it is a secret valley with a magnificent lake. The Malinvern valley is magical,  it is a real picture that is offered to riders, like those of the romantic works of 19th century German painters. The recently renovated refuge down of the Mount Malinvern (3000m) offers a telluric night.

  • Gaits: Mountain day: morning on the slopes with some gaits then mountain trail. Afternoon mainly walking.

  • Picnic prepared by us

  • Overnight at at Rifugio Malinvern

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D3 / 5h on horseback

The next day is a day of lakes with breathtaking landscapes on either side of the Col de Valescure. A steep climb in the morning in steep paths not led from lakes to the Col de Valescure which seems unreachable, but this is only an impression. A winding descent towards the lakes of Valescures (the lakes of the obscure waltzes), then after a break, we end this short day with a short crossing (more lakes) to reach the refuge of Questa, a refuge at 2400m planted in the middle of the mountain with a breathtaking view of the Po plain. 

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  • Morning up and down hill

  • Picnic prepared by us

  • Night at questa shelter

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​D4 / 3h on horseback

The fourth day is a shorter day to enjoy the thermal baths. We descend gently from our perch and have lunch near the hunting lodge of King Victor Emmanuel 2 then reach the thermal baths of Valdieri. This thermal complex dates back to the first half of the 16th century. In 1588, the municipality of Valdieri erected the first establishment for baths commonly used in 1755 by King Charles Emmanuel III. These sulphurous waters at 34 degrees and the hearty dinner at the hotel allow you to recover pleasantly from 4 days of riding.

  • Short day with a short descent on foot then on horseback

  • Picnic prepared by us

  • Overnight at the royal hotel of the thermal baths of Valdieri

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D5 / 7h30 on horseback

On the last day, the crossing is via the “Fremamorte” in the shadow of the Argentera at 3400 meters then the dead valley and its lakes with turquoise waters... Incredible. The Frémamorte pass at 2600 meters announces the French border and the end of this adventure via the Molière valley and the Salèse pass. 

  • Enchanted Forest Trail Day

  • Picnic prepared by us

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