1. St Dalmas de Tende to Refuge CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi and de La Terza
The backbone of the Chemin RivierAlp, this stage links the Roya Valley, Liguria and Piedmont. The route is demanding in terms of its length and altitude difference, but rewards the effort with a remarkable diversity of landscapes and heritage sites.
The village of La Brigue is one of the highlights of the route. Its narrow streets, architecture and history bear witness to a once prosperous mountain life, shaped by trade and pastoralism. A few kilometres away, the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel reveals one of the greatest artistic treasures in the Alps. Nicknamed the ” Sistine Chapel of the Alps “, it houses an exceptional cycle of 15th-century frescoes that attract visitors and art history enthusiasts alike.
The route then continues to climb towards the Ligurian highlands. The landscapes gradually open out as far as Mount Saccarello, the highest point in Liguria, where panoramic views take in the Alps and the Mediterranean. Nearby is the imposing monument of the Redeemer, almost nine metres high, which has become one of the symbols of these border mountains.
A blend of heritage, culture, nature and wide open spaces, this stopover perfectly embodies the RivierAlp spirit and is one of the most emblematic crossings from the Western Alps to the sea.
Tende Saint Dalmas De Tende Church
Tende Saint Dalmas De Tende Hiker
