This discovery hike, pleasantly varying between forest landscape and the once-cultivated adret, is a good introduction to snowshoeing. Equipment can be rented from the "Neige et Merveille" winter gîte.
- From the Mesches parking lot (1380 m - b.82), take the wide path on the right bank of the Minière valley, which climbs up into the mélézin and continues level to above the Mercantour National Park information centre (b.87).
- Continue left up the gentle slope to pass above the building and then overlook the small Lac de la Minière to reach an obvious junction (b.88) near the lower Gias Vioré. Continue along the right bank of the valley on a slightly uphill path until you reach the entrance to the park.
- The route continues without difficulty to a lighter area (1,800 m - b.89a), just before a building overlooking the valley (b.89): don't climb up to the latter, but fork right to rejoin the valley (north-east) until you find a footbridge. Stay on the right bank and continue downhill, looking as best you can for the best route in this hilly area, until you guess the Lac de la Minière (b.88b). Turn right at the crossroads above Gias Vioré (b.88), where you find the ascent route again.
- Continue left up the gentle slope to pass above the building and then overlook the small Lac de la Minière to reach an obvious junction (b.88) near the lower Gias Vioré. Continue along the right bank of the valley on a slightly uphill path until you reach the entrance to the park.
- The route continues without difficulty to a lighter area (1,800 m - b.89a), just before a building overlooking the valley (b.89): don't climb up to the latter, but fork right to rejoin the valley (north-east) until you find a footbridge. Stay on the right bank and continue downhill, looking as best you can for the best route in this hilly area, until you guess the Lac de la Minière (b.88b). Turn right at the crossroads above Gias Vioré (b.88), where you find the ascent route again.
Services
Services
Parking nearby
Accessibility
Accessibility
Not accessible in a wheelchair
Rates
Rates
Free access.
—
Openings
Openings
From 1 December 2025 until 31 March 2026 - Open everyday
Depending on snow conditions
Subject to favorable weather
Subject to snow conditions
Location
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- Riverside
- Forest location
- Lake view
- Mountain view
- Mountain location
- Isolated
- Close to GR footpath
- Waterside
- Panoramic view
- Sensitive Natural Area
Access
Access
- From Menton, follow the A8 east to Ventimiglia (Italy). Drive up the Roya valley via the penetrante, then the RD 6204, passing Breil-sur-Roya, Fontan and St-Dalmas-de-Tende.
At the end of the latter village, fork left (RD 91) to reach the Mesches dam-lake.
