The Terme di Entracque to Castérino stages

The Col du Sabion is an impressive border crossing between Italy and France, right next to the small Lac de la Vacca, at an altitude of over 2,200 metres. The approach involves a long and pleasant first section on a passable track through beech woods and forests. Shortly after the start, the grey stone Pont du Suffiet offers a fine view of the bubbling waters of the giant cauldron carved out by the Bousset torrent below.

The road then becomes a path through the unspoilt pastures, still frequented by chamois, of the Gias de l’Adreit and Valera, before tackling a fine ascent in pure Alpine style in the Vallon du Sabion. The narrow path rises between grassy slopes and rocky outcrops towards the spectacular alpine saddle, narrowing against the wall at certain points.

The CAI Speranza bivouac, overlooking the waters of the lake, is as spartan as it is safe; with no drinking water, it is suitable for hikers equipped for a classic night in the mountains.

The stage leaves the Vallon du Sabion and the bivouac to climb a few steep switchbacks to the pass and cross over to the French side. Immediately, vast alpine meadows open up, dotted with vestiges of military archaeology, defensive works dug into or clinging to the rock, placed to defend the passage.

The descent to Casterino is one of the most exhilarating: short, easy and pleasant, right in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, surrounded by imposing peaks and sunny slopes that level out near the Baisse de Peïrefique, at an altitude of 2,000 metres. It is on this wide and busy grassy saddle, along the important old military road to Italy, that the trail crosses the RivierAlp route from Limone Piemonte, via the Fort de Giaure.

There’s just over an hour to go before the finish, all downhill among the conifers, towards the few houses at the bottom of the Casterino valley, the heart of the Mont Bego archaeological area.