12. GTM - Stage 12 : Le Boréon - Refuge Madone de Fenestre

La Cougourde refuge
Club Alpin Français
Warden: June – September: Manuel Putelat
September – June: Charly Barcelo: 06 18 54 02 43
Reservations by telephone or e-mail: refugelacougourde@ffcam.fr
Refuge landline: 09 78 23 31 59
Website: http://refugelacougourde.ffcam.fr/
Useful numbers:
St-Martin-Vésubie Tourism Office: 04 93 03 21 28
Park House: 04 93 03 23 15
Mountain climbing in the Mercantour

Terre de cour

The scars of erosion

Col de Fenestre mule track

La Madone de Fenestre sanctuary

La Madone de Fenestre refuge
Club Alpin Français
Capacity: 62 Possibility of eating and having a shower
Warden: Mid-June to late-September + school holidays and weekends in winter
Tel. 04 93 02 83 19
Out of season upon reservation: Patrick Miraillet: 04 93 03 91 02
Online reservations: http://chaletmadonedefenestre.ffcam.fr/
Useful numbers:
St-Martin-Vésubie Tourism Office: 04 93 03 21 28
Park House: 04 93 03 23 15Description
From the lodge in Boréon, head towards the Cavalet plateau along GR52 (m371) and head tight at m377.
Head gradually upwards through the conifer forest and after a long passage above the Alpha park, continue along a flat section (m379) then go over a big avalanche corridor and head down towards the private Saladin refuge.
Go back up the path before heading downhill for a few metres (m380), crossing the Boréon mountain stream (m421a) and continuing up a short, steep section to take the path to Cougourde (m421).
Go past the Vidron chalet (m422) and its magnificent waterfall on your left and cross the Boréon again (m423).
Continue along GR52 via a slight rise towards Peïrastrèche (“narrow stone”) until Gias de Peïrastrèche (m424 and 425), then carry on due north towards the Cougourde refuge. At m426, turn right onto a path which is mainly horizontal before you see the rock bar of the lake (m427).
You will easily reach the lake of Trécolpas with the islet which constitutes its hallmark. Head around it via the north and then continue east towards you will be able to see in the distance.
A slight rise followed by a series of hairpin bends allows you to reach Pas des Ladres (m428-2448m). Enjoy the view of the surrounding summits and over the many chamois which populate the area and then head south on the GR52 towards La Madone de Fenestre via several hairpin bends.
Continue on a long section which overlooks ancient glacial moraines dating from the quaternary era. Having reached the Magnin spring which provides water for the refuge, you will quickly reach the junction with the path which provides access to Lac de Fenestre (b368) along the right bank of the valley.
Continue the descent on GR52, where, just off the track, you can see the site of Madone de Fenestre which you will reach rapidly from this point, sometimes accompanied by the strident calls of the marmots, as if they are telling you that you have reached your destination.Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Access and parking
66km from Nice (airport).
Head up the Var valley on the RD6202 until you reach Plan du Var, and then the Vésubie valley along the RD2565 to St-Martin- Vésubie.
As you leave the village, take the RD89 which leads to Lac du Boréon, which is where this itinerary leaves from.Report a problem or an error
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