Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
D59
St-Martin-Vésubie » Belvédère
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5h00 |
16.1 km
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656 m
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830 m
The trail leaves St-Martin-Vésubie on the GR® 52A. It follows its course on a steady mountainside slope to reach Berthemont-les-Bains, a thermal village dating back to the 19th century, before heading on to the hanging village of Belvédère, the stage destination at the meeting point of the Vésubie and Gordolasque valleys.
From the village square (town hall), head to the north west on the D94, passing alongside the esplanade on the left. After passing some shops over a distance of about one hundred metres, head uphill on a road that veers broadly to the right, cut across a village street (marker 77) and continue in the same direction, following the red and white markings for the GR® 52A. Pass through the Saint-Antoine neighbourhood and continue on the Bioulet road (still marked in red and white) that borders the mountainside. The road turns into a farmland track. Cross several small valleys to reach the Bioulet barns. At the end of the track, in the bend, walk between the maisonettes on the left, cross a meadow (bear in mind that this is private property) and climb uphill on a well-built path to the north east towards the Pinéa barns. At a shoulder (approx. 1,350m), the path descends in tight bends on a straight slope, crosses the little Vernet valley and joins a track. Cut across the D72 (start of Berthemont-les-bains) and continue generally to the east, still following the red and white markings. Cross the little Espaillard and then the Figuière valleys and make the winding ascent to reach location mark 1128. Head gradually down again to reach a road that must be followed for several metres. At a bend in the road, leave it behind to follow the path that heads directly southward. Walk past the Planet chapel and pass close to the cemetery to reach Belvédère. (Paul Guglielmi, CDRP 06)
Natural and cultural heritage
Faced with the angry water from the bottom of the valleys, our ancestors built their villages on the ridges. Little by little, in tandem with technological developments, this water came to be seen as a source of life and energy, and later developments took advantage of this. This stage provides a perfect illustration of the progress. The forest trail leading to Berthemont crosses numerous bridges and hamlets of former summer dwellings. The village of Venanson appears to the West, perched on a rocky peak and overlooked by the crests of the Caïre Gros. The flowing water irrigates the terraced crops and chestnut forests. The streams are channelled and used to feed the hydroelectric stations at the bottom of the valley, which in turn supply the valley with energy. The Boréon stream has even been channelled using a penstock leading to the village of St-Martin, 15km lower down. Water is so present in the hollow of the crystalline Mercantour massif that they could provide the entire electricity supply for the coastal towns (Cannes, Nices, Menton). These sources do in any case provide them with most of their water supply. However, the village of Berthemont-les-Bains in its fresh, shady valley makes rather different use of this mountain water. Naturally sulphurous and siliceous, the spring water here has beneficial medicinal effects (respiratory tract and rheumatology). The spring has therefore been officially tapped since 17 April 1878. The trail continues along the mountainside and passes above the village of Roquebillière, from the word Roccabellera, the “rock of the bees”, owing to its early location at the foot of the Caïre de Mel peak (from miel, or honey in English). In 1926, the infiltration of the mountain water caused a tragic landslide that destroyed some of the houses, thus forcing the inhabitants to rebuild on the opposite bank of the river on the Curros plateau, which explains the current division of the village into two parts. Further along, Belvédère, from the word bello meaning beautiful and vedere meaning to see, offers a panoramic view over the meeting point of the magnificent Gordolasque valley and the Vésubie valley. The layout of this picturesque hanging village is typical of the XIIth century, with its XVIIth century church in the centre of the village paying tribute to St Pierre and St Paul, the church of St Roch (who protected against the plague epidemics that decimated almost 80% of the mountain population in the XIIIth century) and its cemetery, the narrow dark streets and the wash houses, and the mill and fountains. (Sara Zeidler, Gilles Chappaz, Grande Traversée des Alpes)
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Socrate Georgiades - 2019-09-06
Comme cette étape semble être une des moins intéressantes de la Via Alpina, j'ai opté pour un crochet par la vallée des Merveilles. Pris la navette à 8h50 pour la Madone de Fenestre puis rallié dans la journée le refuge des Merveilles où j'ai bivouaqué. C'est une étape exténuante mais on est payé en retour par le spectacle des dizaines de chamois qui s'étaient donné rendez-vous sur le parcours, c'était fabuleux. La journée suivante, je suis ressorti par le pas du Diable et ai retrouvé la végétation méditerranéenne, descendu jusqu'au Moulinet.
Automatic translation
[Google]
As this stage seems to be one of the least interesting of the Via Alpina, I opted for a hook through the Valley of Wonders. Take the shuttle at 8:50 for the Madone de Fenestre and then join in the day the refuge of the Wonders where I bivouacked. It is an exhausting stage but we are paid back by the spectacle of dozens of chamois who had made an appointment on the course, it was fabulous. The next day, I came out with the Devil's step and found the Mediterranean vegetation, down to the Moulinet.
Bonjour,
Pour en savoir plus sur le village de Belévdère, nous vous invitons à consulter les photos et informations sur le site :
http://www.lagordolasque.com
Bonne visite !
Automatic translation
[Google]
Hello, For more information on the village of Belévdère, we invite you to consult the photos and information on the site: http://www.lagordolasque.com Enjoy!
Tof - 2015-07-17
Trieste-Monaco le 16/10/14
Depuis Valdeblore belle descente sur St Martin. Jolie petite ville. Ravitaillement recommandé si on reste en altitude. Sinon plus bas possible à Roquebillière dans la vallée.
Au vu des prix des hébergements, suis redescendu en vallée avant Berthemont pour rejoindre Roquebillière. Descente un peu laborieuse pour trouver un passage. Au niveau de la route nationale longer quelques centaines de mètres puis descendre le long de la Vésubie. Rester rive gauche sur sentier qui amène jusqu'au vieux Roquebillière et au camping "les Templiers".
<b>Pour la région</b>, camping bon marché. Placé en-dessous de Belvèdère. Tous services possibles dans la ville-haute de Roquebillière. Ouvert tard en saison. "Les templiers" 06 35 25 77 77 -04 93 03 40 28.
Automatic translation
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Trieste-Monaco 16.10.14 Since the Valdeblore beautiful descent on St. Martin. Nice little town. Supply recommended if you stay at altitude. Otherwise lowest in Roquebillière in the valley. Given the prices for lodging, went back down in the valley before Berthemont Roquebillière to join. Down a little laborious to find a passage. At the national road along a few hundred meters then descend along the Vésubie. Stay left bank trail that leads to the old Roquebillière and camping "Templars." <b>For the area,</b> cheap camping. Placed below Belvèdère. All possible services in the upper-town of Roquebillière. Open late in the season. "The Templars" 06 35 25 77 77 -04 93 03 40 28.
Vaeltava tohtori - 2014-08-21
Gite in Belvedere has only 6 ( or was it 8) beds. Breakfast possible.
Hotel mentioned is not in Belvedere but 8-12 kms from it ( depends whom you ask). Good pizzeria in town ( takeaway mainly, but few tables outdoors.
Via Alpina does goes in Berthemont les bains...passing over
It goes up to a high point from berthemont..fresh water streams on the way to cool off asses
Gite les champouns is off St martin about 2km..there is another gite in town but was not open/full on the day I showed up
Mountain Girl - 2012-10-19
Caution: Trail takes a SHARP RIGHT just before a large stream on the uphill route to Berthemont. I was so fixated on the water ahead of me that I missed the right turn and spent an hour fighting thorn bushes on false trails leading uphill beyond the stream.
Hinweis:
Bei den Angaben zu Auf- und abstieg dieser Etappe fehlen leider die Zwischenan- und aufstiege.
In Nord-Süd-Richtung =
Aufstieg ca. 680 m
Abstieg ca. 820 m
Automatic translation
[Google]
Note: For information on development and this stage descent sadly lacking the intermedi- and climbs. In north-south direction = climb about 680 m descent approximately 820 m
|
5h00 |
16.1 km
|
656 m
|
830 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.