recommended route
Multi-day route
The Salt Roads: The Pagarine Route
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Saint-Martin-VésubiePhoto: Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur., Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
The Franco-Italian hiking route "la route pagarine" connects Nice to Cuneo in 10 stages, passing through the Vésubie valley, the Mercantour National Park, and the Alpi Marittime park.
It is based on the historical salt roads and invites you to discover the countless treasures of the territory at the heart of magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean.
The Salt Roads project is the result of a successful cross-border cooperation between territorial authorities, natural parks, and chambers of commerce from the Alpes-Maritimes, Piedmont, and Liguria.
Somewhere between a hiking guide and a novel, the three-volume collection allows one to discover this historical period in a playful way, both faithful and fictional.
Through this original format, the Franco-Italian partners wanted to offer a different perspective on the strong historical and cultural ties that unite this territory thanks to passionate historians' support.
Hiking these three routes provides an opportunity to discover the countless treasures of the area within magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Volume 1, from Nice to Cuneo, follows the footsteps of our fictional hero, Artemio, on the ancient Pagarine route. It is available for download.
This project is funded by the ALPIMED PATRIM project under the INTERREG ALCOTRA program.
Author’s recommendation
The novel-guide created for this route is part of a three-volume collection on the theme of the Salt Roads:
The Pagarine route from Nice to Cuneo
The Royal route from Menton to Cuneo
The Smugglers' route from Imperia to Mondovì
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- Before departure:
- Check the local weather before leaving
- Inform a close relative about your walk goal and departure time
- Verify that the length, elevation gain of the route, and time required match your skill level before setting off and do not overestimate your abilities
- During your hike:
- Follow marked paths and respect the direction of routes
- Trails are shared: mountain bikers, horse riders, and hunters may also use your route
- You may meet flocks of sheep grazing. Protection dogs are there to guard them from any aggression. The golden rule: stop and keep your distance from the flock. Take your time to calmly go around it.
- Be extra cautious during hunting season and check for ongoing drives.
- Act eco-responsibly: take your waste with you, be discreet so as not to scare wild animals, and do not pick wild flowers or plants; a photo is a sufficient souvenir
- Respect private property, cultivated areas, and natural spaces, and close gates after passing
- During summer, days are hot, and vegetation is highly sensitive to fire risk. Do not light fires; you endanger your safety and that of others
- To alert emergency services, dial 112
Tips and suggestions
Recommended accommodations and restaurants are listed for each stage.
In France:
- Accommodations on: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/preparer/hebergements/
- Specialty Niçoise Restaurants: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/preparer/restaurants/cuisine-nissarde/
On the Italian side: https://www.visitcuneese.it
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- The city center of Nice is easily accessible by plane from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, by train from Nice-Ville station, or by tramway. Public transport within the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is served by the Lignes d’Azur network. For more information, visit: www.lignesdazur.com.
- Return to Nice can be made by train then TER with a transfer at Breil sur Roya or Ventimiglia. More information at: www.thetrainline.com and www.sncf-connect.com.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- By train on the Grasse-Cannes-Nice-Ventimiglia line. Connection from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to Nice Saint-Augustin railway station.
- By plane Nice Côte d'Azur Airport connected to buses, trains (Nice Saint-Augustin station), and tramway (line 2).
- The city center of Nice is easily accessible by car from the A8 highway.
Think of carpooling!
Parking
- Many paid underground parking lots are distributed around the center of Nice.
- It is also possible to park in parking spaces on the streets of Nice.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Novel-style hiking guide - Volume 2 "The Salt Roads: The Royal Route"
Novel-style hiking guide - Volume 3 "The Salt Roads: The Smugglers' Route"
Author’s map recommendations
IGN25
- 3742OT - NICE MENTON
- 3741ET - BÉVÉRA AND PAILLONS VALLEYS
- 3741OT - VÉSUBIE VALLEY
Fraternali editore
- 14 - VALLE GRANA, LOWER STURA DI DEMONTE VALLEY
- 15 - VALLE GESSO, NATURAL PARK OF THE ALPI MARITTIME
Equipment
- Suitable walking shoes are highly recommended
- Bring water, a cap, provisions, a waterproof and warm garment
- A flashlight or headlamp in case of tunnel passages or to avoid being caught out by nightfall
- A first aid kit
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
From the shores of the Mediterranean, stroll through Old Nice, discovering the history and the local gastronomy before setting off on an adventure ...
From the Mediterranean landscapes to the steep gorges of the Venetian River.
From the wild, stony ledge overlooking the Vésubie to the village of Utelle.
Along the Vésubie to Lantosque and then the intersection with the Gordolasque Valley.
From the aptly named Belvedere, head north towards the peaks of Mercantour.
Sublime panoramas at an altitude of more than 2000 m, from the summit of La Palu to the lower part of Férisson.
Through the mineral landscape of the Alps, between France and Italy, in the heart of the Marittime-Mercantour European Park.
From green pastures to ancient forests, towards Entracque.
Along the Gesso River, between agricultural plains, chestnut forests and authentic villages.
At the foot of the Alps, Cuneo and its famous arcades is the last stage of our journey.
Questions and answers
Ratings and reviews
Photos from others