Le Figaret-D'utelle: Hiking in Vallon de l’Infernet

For a trip to Le Figaret-D'utelle, two hikes can be distinguished by their length: the walk from Le Suquet to Vallon de l’Infernet and the hike from Saint Jean la Rivière to the hamlet of Le Suquet. The routes have different starting points and time estimates. So when planning your outings, it is worth considering the duration, distance and organization required for each one together.

Hikes of different lengths

The hike from Saint Jean la Rivière to the hamlet of Le Suquet is about 8 kilometers long and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes in total. It is classified as a challenging hike. A vehicle shuttle between Saint Jean la Rivière and Le Suquet is required for this route. Include the shuttle in your plans before choosing the route. Along the way, you pass the rural chapel of St Pierre.

The landscape is also one of the features of this hike: it passes through an area where the vegetation differs on the slopes. The shady slope has deciduous vegetation, while the sunny slope is characterized by Mediterranean vegetation. The chapel and the contrast between the slopes give the route different aspects, without requiring you to plan a second hike.

Vallon de l’Infernet: access and visiting period

Vallon de l’Infernet Canyon begins at Le Suquet, at an elevation of 340 meters. The walk from Le Suquet to the canyon takes 45 minutes. The canyon is about 0.8 kilometers long and has a slide that empties into a circular pool. This makes it possible to distinguish the time needed for an outing to the canyon from that for the longer hike to the hamlet of Le Suquet; the two times refer to different routes.

Two time periods apply to the canyon, answering different questions: it is open for use daily from April 1 to October 31; the recommended period is June to September. When choosing your dates, you can consider the operating period and the narrower recommended period separately. Access to Vallon de l’Infernet is via the RM 2565 to Le Suquet. There is a parking lot near the inn. From there, the walk to the canyon should still be planned as a separate section.

Landscape and waterways

The plateau of Le Suquet lies within the municipality of Lantosque at an elevation of about 300 meters. Vallon de l’Infernet Canyon begins at Le Suquet, at an elevation of 340 meters.

Downstream from the Le Suquet water intake, the Vésubie is home to brown trout, sculpin, southern barbel, European eel and blageon. Together with the contrast between the slopes and the plateau of Le Suquet, this stretch of water adds another natural feature to the hikes. When choosing between the routes, the key difference remains their length: the 45-minute walk to the canyon or the challenging hike of about 8 kilometers to the hamlet, which requires a vehicle shuttle.

For the broader travel overview: Utelle.