St-Dalmas-le-Selvage to Refuge de Gialorgues
A beautiful walk to a secret valley with a lush green meadow surrounded by rocky mountain peaks.
Description
(S/E) Take the dirt track out of St-Dalmas-le-Selvage which follows the Torrent de Gialorgues south west. The track is quite bumpy and rough so you might prefer to park in the village. Otherwise find a safe place to park along the track. Follow the track which skirts alongside the river. The path heads uphill quite steeply in some sections.
(1) Continue until you reach a parking area. You then take a path on your right which winds up through beautiful woodland and meadows. The path joins a rocky stream and eventually the valley opens up into a wide meadow.
(2) Follow the path through the meadow. There are several large cairns to show you the way. The path rises gently until you reach a plateau where the Refuge de Gialorgues is situated.
(3) Return via the same route.
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,586 m - St-Dalmas-le-Selvage
- 1 : km 3.59 - alt. 1,964 m - Parking area
- 2 : km 5.15 - alt. 2,165 m - Meadow
- 3 : km 6.21 - alt. 2,278 m - Refuge de Gialorgues
- S/E : km 24.87 - alt. 1,586 m - St-Dalmas-le-Selvage
Useful Information
Sturdy walking boots and hiking poles will be most useful. Take plenty of water - the road up is long and dusty and hot. This walk is within the Mercantour National Park - pay attention to the signs on what you can and cannot do.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Look out for wildlife all along the walk - butterflies and birds abound. Don't forget to look up and see the Fort Carre - an amazing rocky outcrop which looks like a huge rectangular fort.
