How do I get to the start in Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende?

Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende is accessible by train from Nice via the Train des Merveilles , with several daily return trips (see timetables ). From Italy, the station is also served by trains from Ventimiglia and Cuneo . The village’s Art Nouveau station, built in 1928, is the official starting point for the route.

How do I get back from the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi refuge or the La Terza refuge?

From the refuges, the most logical descent is on the Ligurian side to Triora or Monesi di Triora , from where you can reach the coast by bus or car. The Ventimiglia – Genoa coastal railway line then takes you to Nice (via Ventimiglia) or Turin (via Genoa).

Do I need to book to visit Notre-Dame des Fontaines?

Yes, the Notre-Dame des Fontaines can be visited by prior arrangement or on a self-guided basis; don’t hesitate to consult the practical information . Remember to plan ahead, especially in July and August, so you don’t miss out on what is considered to be one of the most remarkable groups of frescoes in the Southern Alps.

What level of experience is required for this itinerary?

The route is classified as difficult . The first part to La Brigue and Notre-Dame des Fontaines is accessible to all. The ascent to the Saccarello (around 12 km and 1,300 m D+ ), on the other hand, requires good physical condition and mountain experience. The terrain is not technically difficult, but the effort is sustained and continuous .

What's the best time of year for this itinerary?

From June to October. At the beginning of the season, there may be patches of snow below the Passo della Guardia. In July and August, the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi and La Terza refuges are often fully booked at weekends, so book early. September is ideal for enjoying the colours of the alpine vegetation and a more reasonable number of visitors.

Are there water refreshment points along the route?

La Brigue and Notre-Dame des Fontaines are the last watering places before the climb. Beyond, as far as the La Terza refuge and the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi refuge, springs are rare . Make sure you have enough water from Notre-Dame des Fontaines, especially at the height of summer.

Do I need to book huts in advance?

Yes , this is strongly recommended for the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi refuge and the La Terza refuge, particularly in July and August . These two structures are converging stages for several itineraries and can fill up quickly on peak season weekends.

Can this route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?

That’s precisely its role. This stage is the cross-border link between the Limone Piemonte – Menton axis (RivierALP’s flagship route) and the eastern quadrant of the network, towards Sanremo, Triora and Imperia. On the Piedmont side, it also connects to the Terme di Valdieri stage to Castérino , for those wishing to start with a break at the thermal baths in Italy. The Don Barbera refuge , accessible from the ridges, is another strategic junction on the Haute Route du Sel.

What other walks are there in the region?

The RivierALP network offers plenty of opportunities in the surrounding area. For lovers of high mountains, the Pizzo d’Ormea is a spectacular (additional) stopover between Piedmont and Liguria, accessible from the Tanaro valley. On the French side, a hike in the Mercantour Park , straddling France and Italy, naturally extends the adventure to the Vallée des Merveilles and its prehistoric rock engravings. And to reach the sea on the Ligurian side , the route to Oneglia (Imperia) from the same refuges offers an equally remarkable alternative.

A remarkable route to Triora

Itinerary Col St Dalmas-De-Tende to Refuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi and La Terza

From the Roya Valley to the peaks of the Ligurian Alps

On the map of the RivierALP network, this stage has a place of its own. And with good reason! From the Art Nouveau railway station at Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, in the Roya valley, the route climbs towards Brigue, rising above the chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines before dropping down to the Italian peak of Saccarello, the highest in Liguria. This is THE cross-border passage linking the Limone Piemonte – Menton axis to the eastern quadrant of the network, via Triora, Sanremo and Imperia. A pivotal and spectacular route in Northern Italy that will stay with you for a long time.

Getting organised

Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende to the CAI Sanremo T.Gauzzi and La Terza huts:the stage in figures

Distance: 19.5 kilometres

Duration: 7h30

Walking itinerary

Difficulty: Advanced hiker

Ascent: 1,355 metres

Negative ascent: 680 metres

Hiking route from Saint-Dalmas to Saccarello The pivotal route in the RivierALP network

Don’t be fooled by its status as a “connecting passage”: there’s nothing secondary about this stage! In fact, it’s probably one of the busiest in the RivierALP network, both culturally and strategically. From Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, the route leads from France to Italy. It links two slopes, two languages and two complementary histories. All the while passing through some of the most unique places in the Southern Alps.

It all starts at the Art Nouveau railway station, the historic gateway to the Roya Valley. What’s next? La Brigue, an adorable village that was formerly Italian, but became French in 1947. The main attraction here is undoubtedly the chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines, with its 220 square metres of fifteenth-century Piedmontese frescoes. One of the most unexpected treasures in the Alpes Maritimes!

At the finish line, the summit of Saccarello (2,167 metres) is just around the corner. Up there, three watersheds meet: Roya, Tanaro and Argentina. The view takes in both the Via del Sale and the Ligurian Sea. The descent to the Sanremo refuge and La Terza opens the door to the charming villages of Sanremo, Triora and the whole of inland Liguria.

ItineraryLimonetto in Menton in 8 stages

Randonnée pédestre : St Dalmas-De-Tende - Refuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi et refuge de La Terza

DépartCol St Dalmas-De-Tende

Stage 1Col St Dalmas-De-Tende → Refuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi and refuge de La Terza

ArrivéeRefuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi et refuge de La Terza

Cultural heritage to see

From the “Sistine Chapel of the Alps” to the sculpted gates of La Brigue

It’s rare to find a hiking route that allows you to discover a masterpiece of Renaissance painting, a village with a strong cultural identity and a summit with breathtaking views, all in the space of a single day. This is the case with this itinerary via the Sanremo refuge.

On the way, La Brigue is a first stop that deserves much more than a quick break. This village in the upper Roya valley was annexed to France in 1947 following a local referendum. As a result, the commune was separated from its neighbouring Italian villages of Briga Alta (Piaggia, Upega, Carnino). This singular history has forged a very distinct Briga identity. The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the sculpted black stone doors that adorn the facades of the collegiate church of Saint-Martin.

Higher up, the chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines, also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Alps”, seems to watch over the village. Built on the banks of a reputedly miraculous spring, this 15th-century monument houses 220 metres of frescoes by two Piedmontese painters. Giovanni Baleison for the Old Testament scenes and Giovanni Canavesio for the New Testament. Please note: visits are by prior arrangement only.

Refuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi: the highlight of the itinerary

Managed by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) of Sanremo, the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi refuge is much more than a simple mountain halt. Perched at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres at the foot of Mount Saccarello, it is the gateway between France and Italy’s Liguria region. It is also the flagship stopover on the Sanremo itinerary, which descends from the heights to the famous city of the Riviera dei Fiori.

Spartan in its facilities, like all Italian Alpine Club huts, the place more than makes up for it with its strategic location and exceptional atmosphere. The atmosphere here is that of an Alpine crossroads where itinerant hikers, those following the Haute Route du Sel and those taking on the Giro del Saccarello all come together. It is from this refuge that the main options in the RivierALP network open up on the Ligurian side. Descend to the lovely village of Triora, continue on to Upega and the Piedmont valleys or begin the descent to Sanremo and the sea… a refuge that opens up the field of possibilities!

Testimonial

“What I remember most about this stage is the feeling of being at a real crossroads between Italy and France. We set off from Saint-Dalmas, passing through La Brigue, which looks like a suspended village, then climbing towards Mont Saccarello and its picturesque refuges. The Redentore at the summit, the Ligurian Sea in the background and the Via del Sale visible from the ridge… When you arrive at the Sanremo refuge, you realise that you’re only a few kilometres from Triora and La Terza”.

– Isabelle, touring hiker (full itinerary completed in October)