Is it possible to stop off at the Refuge Don Barbera from this route?

Yes, the Refuge Don Barbera is a natural stopover on the Franco-Italian border ridge close to the route. Perched at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres at the foot of Mount Marguareis, it is the perfect place to extend your high altitude experience before the long descent into the Roya valley. An ideal stop-off for hikers who want to include a night in a refuge in their journey.

Is this route a good gateway to Northern Italy?

Exactly. Leaving from Limone Piemonte, the crossing is an excellent introduction to Northern Italy and Piedmont in particular. Between the province of Cuneo, the Valle delle Merveilles on the Italian side and the villages of the Alta Roya, the route allows you to discover a little-known side of the Alps before switching to France. Combine it with an extended stay in Turin or the Langhe for a complete immersion experience.

What must you see in Menton when you arrive?

Nicknamed the “Pearl of France”, Menton is well worth a visit after a hard day’s work. Don’t miss the Halles covered market, the Basilica of Saint-Michel perched high above the coastline, the Bastion museum dedicated to Jean Cocteau, and the ochre and saffron facades of the old town. Lovers of remarkable gardens will also find much to enjoy here, and the beaches of the Vieux Port offer a well-deserved reward facing the Mediterranean.

How do I get to Menton on foot from Gorbio?

The final stage takes in the Douaniers trail from Gorbio. Along the way, the Mont Gros lookout offers spectacular views of the Principality of Monaco before the final descent to the city of Menton. A gradual arrival that reveals the Côte d’Azur coastline bit by bit, right down to the narrow streets of the medieval quarter of Garavan.

When does the Menton Lemon Festival® take place?

The Fête du Citron® is held every year in February and is one of the most emblematic events on the Côte d’Azur. Parades of citrus fruit floats, monumental displays of oranges and lemons, entertainment throughout the town: it’s the ideal opportunity to extend or plan your hike in winter, when the lower Roya valley is still accessible.

How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?

Limone Piemonte can be reached by train from Turin (about 1 hour 30 minutes) and from Cuneo (30 minutes). From France, the Tende tunnel can be reached by car from Nice (approx. 1h30).

How do I get back from Menton at the end of the tour?

Menton SNCF station provides frequent connections to Nice (30 minutes) and to Italy via Ventimiglia. This is one of the great logistical advantages of this route: the arrival point is perfectly served.

What level of fitness is required for this tour?

The entire 8-day route is aimed at experienced hikers, used to walking for long periods and on slopes. Stages 6, 7 and 8 are suitable for intermediate hikers and can be combined into a mini-break of 2 or 3 days, departing from Breil-sur-Roya or Sospel.

When is the best time to do this route?

We recommend you do this tour between June and October. During the high season (July-August), accommodation is in greater demand, so book well in advance!

Can we adapt the tour?

Yes, if stage 1 seems too strenuous for you, you can start from the village of Limonetto rather than Limone Piemonte, in order to skip some sections of the Via Romana.

Do I need to make a reservation to visit the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel?

Yes, the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel in La Brigue (stage 3) can only be visited by prior arrangement. Don’t miss out on this jewel, nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of the Alpes-Maritimes”.

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

Exactly. The Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing naturally follows on from the Terme di Valdieri stage to Castérino on the Piedmont side to discover the benefits of the thermal baths in Italy, or can be broken down into independent escapades as you wish.

Is it possible to extend the crossing to San Remo or Oneglia after Menton? Absolutely. The Limone Piemonte - Menton crossing naturally follows on from the Terme di Valdieri stage to Castérino on the Piedmont side, to discover the benefits of the thermal baths in Italy, or can be broken down into independent escapades as you wish.

Yes, and that’s one of the great strengths of the RivierALP network: the Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing can be combined with other routes on the Ligurian side. From Menton, the path climbs up to the Roc d’Ormea, a spectacular lookout point on the Franco-Italian border ridge, before descending to the Italian Riviera. The route from Refuge Sanremo to Sanremo then takes you to the famous town of Riviera dei Fiori, famous for its music festival and Saturday market at the foot of the cathedral. For the more adventurous, the crossing continues to Oneglia (Imperia district) via the Refuge Sanremo to Imperia Oneglia stage. An ideal extension for those wishing to complete a major itinerary from the Alps to the Mediterranean entirely on the RivierALP network.

A wonderful walk to Menton

Limone Piemonte to Menton itinerary

From the crests of the Piedmont to the Mediterranean

There are hikes that stay in your head for days afterwards, and others that leave a lasting impression. The crossing from Limone Piemonte to Menton belongs to the second category. 8 stages, a border crossed and a difference in altitude that continues to drop from the crests of the Piedmont to the Mediterranean coast. Along the Roya valley, the route reveals a discreet (and deliciously addictive) facet of the Alpes-Maritimes on the Italian side, before finishing in style in Menton. And what better finishing line than the Mediterranean? As you can see, this is the tour that RivierALP absolutely must try out!

Getting organised

Limone Piemonte in Menton :hiking in figures

Distance: 124 kilometres

Duration: 8 days

Type of route : Walking route

Difficulty: Advanced hiker

Ascent: 6679 m
Difference in altitude: 7877 m

Period: Between June and October

Walking in Menton The great crossing from the Alps to the sea from Limone Piemonte

Perched at an altitude of 1000 metres in the province of Cuneo (Italy), the village of Limone Piemonte immediately sets the tone for the hike. This remarkable 8-day tour crosses two countries, winding its way through the Roya Valley, the Mercantour National Park and the Valle delle Merveilles, one of Europe’s largest open-air rock museums.

As you descend towards the coast, the landscape changes: the mountain pastures gradually give way to olive groves, hilltop hamlets and limestone cliffs bathed in Mediterranean light. From fascinating historical sites to villages classified as among the Most Beautiful in France, each stage brings its own new discoveries. The tour ends on a high note, with a view of the sea and the colourful facades of Menton, the real pearl of the Côte d’Azur. It’s a trip that makes you dizzy… in a good way!

ItineraryLimone Piemonte in Menton

DépartTende

Stage 1Limone Piemonte → Casterino

Stage 2Castérino → Tende

Step 3Tende → Saint-Dalmas-De-Tende

Step 4Saint-Dalmas-De-Tende → Saorge

Step 5Saorge → Breil-Sur-Roya

Step 6Breil-Sur-Roya → Sospel

Step 7Sospel → Gorbio

Stage 8Gorbio → Menton

ArrivéeMenton

Cultural heritage to see

Prehistory, Baroque art and fortified villages

From the 5,000-year-old rock engravings in the Vallée des Merveilles to the medieval streets of Saorge, classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France®, and the 15th-century frescoes in the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel in La Brigue, nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of the Alpes-Maritimes”, this hike from Limone Piemonte covers several centuries of history in just a few stages.

Prehistoric heritage, transalpine Baroque art, border fortifications and the typical hilltop villages of the upper Roya valley: each kilometre reveals a different facet of this cultural heritage shared by the Italian Piedmont and the French Alpes-Maritimes.

Other stops along the way include the Monastery of Saorge and its terraced gardens, the Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) at Sospel and its medieval toll tower, the Musée des Merveilles (Museum of Wonders) at Tende, which extends the discovery of rock engravings, and the forts of the Authion massif, inherited from border conflicts. The trail also crosses the Mercantour National Park and runs alongside the Roya gorges, carved out of the limestone between cliffs and hanging hamlets.

Plenty of time for a few well-deserved breaks on the trail, before the pastel facades of the Côte d’Azur bring the journey to a beautiful close. Next stop: Menton!

On your route

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Hiking in Menton: panoramic stage on the Authion massif

The last great balcony before Menton, the Authion massif is well worth a visit. Often overshadowed by the fame of the Vallée des Merveilles, the Authion massif is well worth a visit. Rising to 2,080 metres between Roya and Vésubie, it offers one of the most breathtaking views of the route: from the Pointe des Trois-Communes, you can see the Mercantour peaks, the valleys of the Pre-Alps and, on a clear day, the blue Mediterranean.

The site is just as steeped in history. The Mille-Fourches, Forca, Plan Caval and Béole forts make up a veritable open-air military museum, bearing witness to the Franco-Italian fortifications of the XIXᵉ century and then to the last major battle fought on French soil in April 1945. Today, the Authion circular route offers a series of lookouts and remains set against a backdrop of high altitude lawns and larch trees. A contemplative and memorial interlude, just before the path begins its long descent towards the Mediterranean.

From Limone Piemonte to Menton: the must-sees!

Jardin du monastère, ancien couvent des franciscains

C’est au-dessus du village de Saorge et des gorges de la Roya, que des frères franciscains fondèrent un couvent en 1633 où ils établirent un jardin de 3 hectares doté d’un...

Musée départemental des Merveilles à Tende

Musée d'archéologie consacré à l'un des plus importants sites de gravures rupestres d'Europe. Une scénographie moderne et ludique qui séduira tous les publics, du visiteur le...

Jardin botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton

Lotus et nymphéas peuplent le bassin, les collections de daturas embaument dans ce jardin riche de couleurs et de senteurs ou se sont acclimatés quelques spécimens d'espèces...

Testimonial

“This is the hike I recommend to all my friends who are still hesitating. I wanted to try out the whole itinerary in 8 days, from Limone Piemonte to Menton. It was a challenge, but you have to admit that crossing the mountains to get to Menton by the sea is priceless. On the way, you won’t know where to turn, between the Vallée des Merveilles, Saorge and the Douaniers trail. It’s a hike that can also be adapted to a short break between Italy and France.

– Cynthia, full itinerary completed in September

See the stages of the itinerary

Everything you need to know about your walk between Limone Piemonte and Menton

Is it possible to stop off at the Refuge Don Barbera from this route?
Is this route a good gateway to Northern Italy?
Exactly. Leaving from Limone Piemonte, the crossing is an excellent introduction to Northern Italy and Piedmont in particular. Between the province of Cuneo, the Valle delle Merveilles on the Italian side and the villages of the Alta Roya, the route allows you to discover a little-known side of the Alps before switching to France. Combine it with an extended stay in Turin or the Langhe for a complete immersion experience.
What must you see in Menton when you arrive?
Nicknamed the “Pearl of France”, Menton is well worth a visit after a hard day’s work. Don’t miss the Halles covered market, the Basilica of Saint-Michel perched high above the coastline, the Bastion museum dedicated to Jean Cocteau, and the ochre and saffron facades of the old town. Lovers of remarkable gardens will also find much to enjoy here, and the beaches of the Vieux Port offer a well-deserved reward facing the Mediterranean.
How do I get to Menton on foot from Gorbio?
When does the Menton Lemon Festival® take place?
How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?
How do I get back from Menton at the end of the tour?
What level of fitness is required for this tour?
When is the best time to do this route?
Can we adapt the tour?
Do I need to make a reservation to visit the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines chapel?
Can this route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?
Is it possible to extend the crossing to San Remo or Oneglia after Menton? Absolutely. The Limone Piemonte - Menton crossing naturally follows on from the Terme di Valdieri stage to Castérino on the Piedmont side, to discover the benefits of the thermal baths in Italy, or can be broken down into independent escapades as you wish.
Yes, and that’s one of the great strengths of the RivierALP network: the Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing can be combined with other routes on the Ligurian side. From Menton, the path climbs up to the Roc d’Ormea, a spectacular lookout point on the Franco-Italian border ridge, before descending to the Italian Riviera. The route from Refuge Sanremo to Sanremo then takes you to the famous town of Riviera dei Fiori, famous for its music festival and Saturday market at the foot of the cathedral. For the more adventurous, the crossing continues to Oneglia (Imperia district) via the Refuge Sanremo to Imperia Oneglia stage. An ideal extension for those wishing to complete a major itinerary from the Alps to the Mediterranean entirely on the RivierALP network.