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Les Gorges de Daluis, Mercantour

Publié le 15 August 2022 | Alpes-Maritimes Eng, France Eng

A short but spectacular hike to discover the Gorges de Daluis, an impressive gorge formed by the Var river, over 250m deep, and featuring magnificent red geological formations known as pelites, which give the site its unique character. The loop through the heart of the nature reserve leads to Point Sublime, a promontory high above the Gorges, before following the road and its series of tunnels, carved into the edge of the void, allowing you to appreciate the site from different angles and viewpoints. The route can be completed at the entrance to the Gorges, where you'll find the Pont et Belvédère de la Mariée (Bride's Bridge and Viewpoint), before contemplating the descent of the Clue d'Amen, the local canyon, also carved out of red pelite.

Technical summary

► Field and environnement : Open rocky or dirt trail, road section on return.
■ Departure point: Pont de Berthéou, Réserve Naturelle des Gorges de Daluis, Alpes-Maritimes (04).
■ Type of route: mid-mountain loop hike
■ Distance: 8.7 km
■ Cumulative elevation gain: +392 m
■ Cumulative negative elevation gain: -392 m
■ Estimated total time: 2h30 to 4h
■ Min and max altitude: 780 m / 984 m
■ Marking: marked trail
■ Equipment: none
■ Equipment required: none

Difficulties: none on the trail, but take care on the road back.

Access to the place

The location is lost in the heart of the département, close to the Valberg ski resort. Go up or down the D2202, which generally follows the Var in a north-south direction. South of the town of Guillaumes, you quickly enter the Gorges and the road passes through a series of small tunnels. After the last tunnel and a rock in the shape of a Tête de Femme, there's a parking area just before the bridge over the Berthéou. This is the starting point for the loop.

Map & topo

Voir en plein écran

Itinerary description

As the walking itinerary is inside the Gorges de Daluis Nature Reserve, progress is made only on the marked path, with rangers on hand to call us to order at the slightest deviation (!).

Part 1: Point Sublime

From the parking lot, follow the signposted path to Point Sublime. The path climbs gently, taking the 2 forks to the right. You'll soon discover magnificent geological formations of sculpted red pelite. The path rises, passes a first hump and then crosses over to reach a flat area at the foot of a large cliff called Les Beules. From here, follow the wide, well-marked path to the Point Sublime, which literally overlooks the Gorges de Daluis. There's a view of the gorge to the northeast and the Var valley to the southwest.

Part 2: the Gorges route

Return to the plateau below Les Beules and turn right, continuing on the path which is a little less interesting to cross and join a side road above the D2202. Descend the few hairpin bends, with beautiful views of the Gorges and Point Sublime, before taking the main road back to the parking lot. Passing cars isn't always comfortable, but the ride is smooth and the views all the way are exceptional. We avoid some of the tunnels by taking the bypass on the Gorges side, but there are 3 or 4 to cross, keeping well along the wall. The Clue d'Amen waterfall soon comes into view, emerging from a canyon that's sure to tempt you next time. What follows is vertiginous, almost more impressive than from the top.

After the last and longest tunnel, we pass the foot of the tête de Femme and return to the starting parking lot.