Fenestre circuit

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 15
La Madone de Fenestre sanctuary

Col de Fenestre mule track

The scars of erosion

Terre de cour

Col de Fenestre

Il Colle di Finestra
The pass is a direct link between Valle Gesso and Vésubie, and has been crossed since time immemorial - and immortalized in legend and historical annals - by saints, emperors and invading armies. Before the Savoys gained direct access to the sea, the Colle di Finestra pass was also an important supply route for the salt trade.
Its name, which first appears in the written records in 1041, has remained unchanged up to the present day: Colle di Finestra or, as written on the military maps of the early 1900s, Colle delle Finestre. The first version is the right one, though, because it refers to a single natural window (Finestra) that splits the northwest crest of the Cayre de la Madone.

Pas des Ladres
In Italian, “ladre” means thief. Indeed, the smugglers coming from Col de Fenestre came through here to reach Saint-Martin-Vésubie and avoiding the carabinieri outpost at La Madone.
From Pas des Ladres, you can Lac de Trecolpas below. Keep your eyes open, chamois often come this way.Description
Leave from marker 357. The path zigzags upwards gently on the slope which features the sanctuary. The width and surface of the path may surprise you.
Before crossing the Magnin mountain stream (marker 368), head past the path which leads to Le Pas des Ladres a follow the direction of Le Lac de Fenestre. To the east, you can see Le Pas du Mont Colomb and on its right the northern slopes of Le Grand Caïre (2532 m) and Le Petit Caïre (2413 m).
Continue until you reach Le Lac de Fenestre, at an altitude of 2266 metres. It is 250 metres long, 75 metres and up to 4 metres in depth.
The path winds towards Le Col de Fenestre and heads between two bunkers which are sometimes frequented by ibex. You will reach the col after the intersection at marker 369. On the slopes on the Italian side, a barracks denotes the military purposes the area was used for in the past.
Return to marker 369. Turn right towards Le Pas des Ladres (marker 428), which provides an extensive view over the high Boreon valley and Lac de Trecolpas (2150 m). Continue along GR52 towards La Madone de Fenestre.Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
Maison du Parc national du Mercantour - Saint-Martin-Vésubie
8, Avenue Kellermann - Villa Les Iris, 06450 Saint-Martin-Vésubie
http://www.mercantour-parcnational.fr
vesubie@mercantour-parcnational.fr
04 93 03 23 15
Horaires
Ouvert tous les jours sauf le dimanche du 15 juin au 15 septembre
Office de Tourisme Métropolitain - Bureau d'information de Belvédère
Rue Victor Maurel, 06450 Belvédère
https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/
info.belvedere@nicecotedazurtourisme.com
04 93 03 51 66
Horaires
Ouvert toute l'annéeOffice de Tourisme Métropolitain - Bureau d'information de Valdeblore - La Colmiane
La Colmiane, 06420 Valdeblore
https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/
info.valdeblorelacolmiane@nicecotedazurtourisme.com
04 93 23 25 90
Horaires
Toute l'année.Fermetures exceptionnelles les 1er janvier, Lundi de Pâques, Jeudi de l'Ascension, Lundi de Pentecôte, 1er mai, 8 mai, 14 juillet, 15 août, 1er novembre, 11 novembre et 25 décembre.
Transport
Information available at Saint-Martin-Vésubie Tourism Office.
Access and parking
Parking :
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