Valdeblore – Hiking, mountain lakes and chapels

Valdeblore offers several distinct starting points for planning a trip: geological hikes, high-altitude lakes, summit views and chapels with specific historical and architectural features. To plan your stay, you can first decide which of these interests you would like to focus on. The route to Lac Nègre highlights the massif and its ancient rocks; the hike to the Lacs des Millefonts and Mont Pépoiri combines numerous lakes with views of the Mercantour peaks. These destinations therefore offer different focuses—from geology and mountain panoramas to architecture and heritage.

Hikes among rocks, lakes and summit views

The hike to Lac Nègre is a geological trail through the massif and its ancient rocks. If you are especially interested in the geological character of the landscape, this trail is a clear point of reference.

Another hike leads to the Lacs des Millefonts and Mont Pépoiri, passing numerous high-altitude lakes along the way. The section to Mont Pépoiri offers a 360° panorama from the 2,674 m summit. A 360° panorama means a view in every direction from the summit; the hike also offers views of the Mercantour peaks. The bodies of water along the route and the view from the summit are therefore two aspects of the same hike. Compared with the route to Lac Nègre, the focus here is on lakes and panoramas, while the ancient rocks provide the geological interest there.

The Saint Donat hiking route has 188 m of ascent and 186 m of descent. The figures are almost equal and give you a concrete comparison of the elevation gain and loss on this route.

Chapels and architecture

Two chapels with historical dates add to the architectural heritage. The Chapelle Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs in La Bolline dates from the 17th century. It has a square Baroque bell tower with an onion-shaped spire. The square tower and onion-shaped crown are two specific features of its design. The Chapelle Saint Donat was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Both dates therefore refer to the same century, but with different levels of precision: for Saint Donat, the beginning of the century is specified. Alongside the hiking trails, the chapels offer historical and architectural points of reference for planning your trip.

Mollières and access via the Col de Salèse

Mollières is a hamlet with about thirty houses at an altitude of 1,572 m. The approximate number gives you an idea of the size of the settlement, while the altitude provides a specific reference point for its location. Mollières can be reached via the track from the Col de Salèse. As conditions on the track may vary, check them before setting out.

Hiking tips

Check the route conditions before setting out on the hike to the Lacs des Millefonts. Local access conditions on the route to Lac Nègre may change, and conditions on the Saint Donat route may also vary. Take into account the information relevant to the hike you have planned.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Les Ferres, Malaussène, Pégomas, La Brigue, Moulinet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-André-De-La-Roche, Drap

Return to the regional travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.