From the Mediterranean to the upper Var valley, a great traverse of the Mercantour that passes through the Vallée des Merveilles and its rock engravings.
221 km 137.3 mi15 stages13,300 m 43,635 ft ascentHigh point 2,705 m 8,875 ftMenton → Entraunes
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Elevation profile: from 15 m to 2,705 m over 221.1 km.
The GR52 at a glance
The GR52, now called the Grande Traversée du Mercantour (GTM), links Menton, on the Mediterranean, to Entraunes, in the upper Var valley. The original Mon GR page still describes it between Saint-Dalmas-Valdeblore and Menton, but the FFRandonnée topoguide published in 2022 extended it to the north-west, from Le Boréon to Entraunes, via Italian refuges.
From Menton, the trail leaves the coast and crosses the upper valleys of the Bévéra, the Roya, the Vésubie and the Tinée. Much of it lies within the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, and it also uses paths in the Parco naturale Alpi Marittime, on the Italian side. Chamois, ibex, marmots, golden eagles and bearded vultures are among the wildlife you may see there.
The highlight of the route is the Vallée des Merveilles. At the foot of Mont Bégo (2,872 m), around the Refuge des Merveilles and the Lac Long Supérieur, some 40,000 rock engravings, most of them dating back to around 3300 BC, are spread over thousands of rocks; the area has been a listed historic monument since 1989 and is subject to strict visiting rules.
This is a demanding mountain traverse, with high passes, remote stages and snow that can linger late into spring. It is for experienced hikers, able to organize themselves between French and Italian refuges. Storm Alex in 2020 damaged some sections, since restored: it is best to check the state of the paths before setting off.
Highlights
Going from the Mediterranean to the great summits of the Mercantour in a single traverse.
The Vallée des Merveilles and its rock engravings, a listed historic monument.
Remarkable wildlife, from chamois to bearded vultures, in the core zone of the national park.
Stages on the paths and in the refuges of the Italian Alpi Marittime park.
A start at Menton station and valleys served by train and by shuttle buses in summer.
Practical information
Start
Menton
Menton is served by train (TER). From Menton, Zestbus services run to Sospel and Tende, and the Train des Merveilles links Nice to Tende, which also lets you join the route partway along.
Finish
Entraunes
Entraunes can be reached from Nice on the ZOU! 675 coach line to Guillaumes, then by ZOU! on-demand transport to Estenc, the start of the GTM; in 2026, this service ran from Monday to Friday, by booking the day before at the latest.
When to go
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Mon GR recommends the period from mid-June to mid-July, for the long days and the wild flowers. From mid-October to the end of May, snow often makes the paths impassable; in early summer, check the snow cover on the passes.
Difficulty
Hard
A long mountain traverse with high passes, remote sections and possible snow in early summer. Solid experience of mountain hiking is required.
Accommodation
20 refuges, 4 gîtes, 4 unstaffed huts, and 10 B&Bs
The traverse relies on mountain refuges, both French and Italian, and on gîtes and hotels in the villages. The Refuge des Merveilles can only be booked online while it is staffed. Book every night in advance, especially in July and August.
Rules to know
In the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, dogs are banned, even on a leash, and bivouacking is only allowed from 7 pm to 9 am, more than an hour’s walk from the park boundaries or the last road access; camping, fires and drones are forbidden. In the Merveilles and Fontanalba valleys, it is forbidden to leave the waymarked paths, to walk on or touch the engravings, or to use metal-tipped poles; bivouacking is forbidden there, except in the designated areas near the Merveilles and Fontanalba refuges.
Water and supplies
Several stages take place far from any village: carry food and water for the day and ask the refuges about supplies. The route uses Italian paths: carry an identity document. In summer, shuttle buses run up to Le Boréon and the Gordolasque from the Vésubie valley.
The GR52 on the map
The 15 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
No current alerts for this GR (checked on November 12, 2026). All live updates →
Our advice
Fit rubber tips to your poles before entering the Vallée des Merveilles.
Book the Refuge des Merveilles online as soon as bookings open.
Check the state of the paths, as some sections were affected by Storm Alex.
Leave your dog at home: the route crosses the core zone of the national park.
To reach Entraunes, book the on-demand transport from Guillaumes at least the day before.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the GR52 start and finish?
Since the publication of the “Grande Traversée du Mercantour” topoguide in 2022, the GR52 has linked Menton to Entraunes, in the upper Var valley. The old route, still described on some pages, ended at Saint-Dalmas-Valdeblore.
Can you bivouac in the Vallée des Merveilles?
No, except in the designated areas near the Merveilles and Fontanalba refuges. Elsewhere in the core zone of the park, bivouacking is allowed from 7 pm to 9 am, more than an hour’s walk from the park boundaries or from road access. See the Mercantour National Park regulations.
Are walking poles allowed in the Vallée des Merveilles?
Metal-tipped poles are forbidden in the engravings area. Rubber tips are recommended so that you can still use them.
Can you walk the GR52 with a dog?
No: the GR52 lies largely within the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, where dogs are banned, even on a leash or carried.
When should you do the Mercantour traverse?
The ideal period is from mid-June to mid-July according to Mon GR. Between mid-October and the end of May, snow often makes the paths impassable.
How do you get to Entraunes by public transport?
Take the ZOU! 675 coach line from Nice to Guillaumes, then the ZOU! on-demand transport to Estenc, to be booked the day before at the latest. The Mercantour National Park transport guide details access valley by valley.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 10, 2026.
