Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R148
Castérino » Limonetto
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5h05 |
15.76 km
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738 m
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1000 m
Via Alpina leaves Castérino and passes near the old Peïrefique barracks and then the Giaure fort established on the border with Italy. From the ridge a trail leads down over scree slopes and through woods to the valley of the Prati della Chiesa stream. It then meets the road, which quickly leads to Limonetto. This leg is practicable by mountain bike, too from Castérino to Limonetto (through Baisse de Peyrefique and Colle di Tenda).
Leave the hamlet of Castérino and follow the road to the south for 400 metres, leaving it to cross the Valmasque river on the bridge to the left (marked in yellow, marker 367). Follow the track that climbs to the north east into the forest until reaching a track junction (marker 369). Take the track that climbs northward for 250 metres to arrive at the Peïrefique pass (marker 370) and then continue on this track, which takes a level course for around 750 metres, then descending slightly and passing in front of the abandoned Peïrefique barracks. A few metres further, take the path that climbs to the west (yellow markings) and leads to a grassy slope on the Barchenzane crest (marker 378). Descend on the northern side along the rocky slopes to reach marker 379 lower down. Leave the path to the left that leads to the Peïrefique lakes (worth seeing, 20min) and head towards the north east and then the east on the trail that crosses a scree-covered area below the ledges of the Abysse rock and then climbs to a little plateau on which the Giaure fort stands (2,254m, marker 380). From the fort, take the beautiful track that heads down on the north side and leads to the border with Italy. (Paul Guglielmi, CDRP 06)
Natural and cultural heritage
On the hillsides of the Roya valley, the wooded route rich in flora crosses over to Italy and the Tende community, a disputed area for long periods of time. The current configuration of this community is one inherited from history, when it was the subject of many difficult diplomatic episodes. In the Xth century, the county of Tende was placed under the Italian authority of Vintimille. The toponymy and architecture of this zone are in fact of Italian influence. Later, as of 1157, it came under the management of Genoa. Castérino, from casterine, a Piedmontese diminutive of castel, is currently still the summer pasture area for Italian shepherds. In 1257, this region was placed under the protection of the county of Provence in spite of the disagreement of the counts of Vintimille. This marked the start of the conflicts. The year 1581 saw the donation of the county of Tende to the dukes of Savoie. Communication then became one of the major problems of ducal politics, particularly in relation to the supply of foodstuffs such as salt. It was at the end of the XVIth century that Charles Emmanuel I undertook the development of a donkey trail into Italy via the Tende pass. But in 1860, a first part of Roya was attached to the county of Nice, which itself was at the time attached to France. This was followed by the definitive attachment of the community of Tende. In parallel to this, Franco-Italian diplomatic conflicts encouraged the strengthening of the borders through the construction of military structures such as the Giaure fort, alongside which the trail passes before turning to Italy. This fort is part of a fortified system together with the Marguerite fort, the Pernante fort and the Central fort situated further down or along the ridge to prevent invasions. Aside from these strategic considerations, which have always been beyond the local inhabitants, this countryside is very much marked by pastoralism, an important economic activity for the region. Larch trees are scattered across the alpine grassland. The casouns, shepherd’s shelters in stone, are still dotted everywhere. (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.
Walter - 2022-02-11
La struttura ARRUCADOR è stata chiusa.
Il Posto Tappa GTA è al Bed and Breakfast L'Abric, che è anche punto di appoggio per la Via Alpina.
email info@limonetto.com
web: www.colleditenda.com/postotappa
telefono: +393482902263
Around the huge Fort de Giaure on the grassfield you will find edelweiss everywhere. More than in anywhere else I saw on the Via.
Important if you use the GPS track: going down from the fort do not take the sharp curve right. That road is dangerous, falling rocks!! Better go along the lake and follow the track marked yellow (later green and yellow)!!!
Albergio Edelweiss is good, But is 30 minutes away from Limonetto, which you all have to walk back the next day. The GR-bar (Limonetto) is only open in winter. Edelweiss (HP €85) is excellent for its services. For the next day they called the next hut to announce my coming, they gave me an extra water bottle (which I well needed), and gave me an early lift back as far up as possible, with my breakfast in a bag!
Henk - 2019-07-26
Near Baisse de Peyrefique, the gpx-track from the Via Alpina website suggests a path that is going down and up, whereas one could just as well stay on the grassy ridge. There are virtually no signs in the field. I stayed in Albergo Panice near Limonetto: fine place.
Berta - 2018-08-25
Albergo Panice ist ca.2 km außerhalb von Limetto an der Hauptstraße und ca.1,5 km abseits der Via Alpina. Ich finde der Weg lohnt sich. Sehr nette, freundliche Besitzer, gutes Essen und ausgezeichnetes Frühstück Doppelzimmer mit Frühstück 75 € , Menü 18 €pro Person
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Albergo Panice is about 2 km outside of Limetto on the main road and about 1.5 km away from the Via Alpina. I think the way is worth it. Very nice, friendly owners, good food and excellent breakfast Double room with breakfast 75 €, menu 18 € per person
Elisabeth - 2016-11-10
Parcours modifié : on ne passe pas au refuge de Peïrefique. Il est impossible de ne mettre que 1h25 pour atteindre le fort de Giaure. Ensuite, le sentier qui descend sur Limonetto (marquage jaune et vert) par Prati della Chiesa disparaît complètement sous la végétation. Il a besoin d'un sérieux débroussaillage : le pire de toute la Via Alpina !
A Limonetto, j'ai dormi dans un appartement mis à ma disposition par la GTA - petit-déjeuner et dîner au Bar Dal Gâ, le tout pour 38 €
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Modified route: we do not go to the refuge of Peïrefique. It is impossible to put only 1h25 to reach Fort Giaure. Then the path down to Limonetto (yellow and green marking) by Prati della Chiesa disappears completely under the vegetation. He needs a serious brushing: the worst of all Via Alpina! In Limonetto, I slept in an apartment put at my disposal by the GTA - breakfast and dinner at Bar Dal Gâ, all for 38 €
Après Terme di Valdieri j'ai continué sur la GTA italienne. A Limonetto j'ai fait étape à l'hôtel Edelweiss : belle chambre, très bon repas, mais un peu cher quand même...
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After Terme di Valdieri I continued on Italian GTA. A Limonetto I did step to the hotel Edelweiss: Great room, great meal, but a bit pricey though ...
Limonetto is perfect for starting or ending your trekking trail.
Limone Piemonte has a railway station with connections to Torino, Ventimiglia and Nizza.
There is a public bus direction Limonetto 5 times a day, but you can also contact Arrucador Lodge for pick-up service from Limone, parking and baggage storage (www.arrucador.it - phone +39 3482902263 or +39 3475441408 in German).
It's also available on request a 'sherpa' service from Mercantour and Marittime parks to bring your bags to Arrucador Lodge.
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2013-05-19
Trés belle étape sur les crètes voisines du Col de TENDE...Faute d'autre solution il faut redescendre les pentes du col jusqu'à LIMONETTO sur le versant italien . J'ai reçu un accueil agréable à l'Hotel EDELWEISS . De plus le repas du soir était excellent avec au menu un grand et bon plat de pates !
L'hotel est situé un peu en dessous de LIMONETTO au lieu dit PANICE, à proximité de la route nationale 20
Tel : 00 39 0171 928138
Cell : 00 39 335 1722458
Mail : info@edelweisslimone.it
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Very nice step neighboring crests the Col de ENDE ... Lacking any solution must down the slopes of the neck to Limone on the Italian side. I received a warm welcome at the Hotel Edelweiss. In addition, the evening meal was excellent with a great menu and the delicious plate of pasta! The hotel is located a little below Limonetto instead Panice said, close to the national road 20 Tel: 00 39 38 0171 9281 Cell: 00 39 335 1722 458 Mail: info@edelweisslimone.it
Eine zusätzliche Übernachtungsmöglichkeit bietet in Limonetto - direkt am Weg oberhalb vom großen Parkplatz - das 'L'Ange Blanc': www.langeblanc.it
Sabine Bade
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An additional overnight accommodation offers in Limonetto - right on the trail above the large parking area - the 'L'Ange Blanc': www.langeblanc.it Sabine bath
Sommer 2012: Die Trattoria von Osvaldo ist seit mehreren Monaten geschlossen. Alternative Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten: Arrucador auf 1500 Höhenmetern direkt am GTA, deutsche Inhaberin, Telefon 347 5441408 (Anja) oder 348 2902263 (www.arrucador.it).
Bragard Hotel, Edelweiss Hotel und Panice Hotel an der Bundesstrasse 20 auf etwa 1200 Höhenmetern.
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Summer 2012: The Trattoria Osvaldo has been closed for several months. Alternative accommodation: Arrucador to 1500 meters right on the GTA, German owner, phone 347 5441408 (Anja) or 348 2902263 (www.arrucador.it).
Bragard Hotel, Edelweiss Hotel and Panice hotel on the main road 20 at about 1200 meters altitude.
Das Posto Tappa in Limonetto wurde mittlerweile endgültig geschlossen (war auch in den Jahren zuvor nur noch recht unregelmässig geöffnet). Eine Übernachtungsmöglichkeit in der Nähe ist das Hotel Edelweiss (www.edelweisslimone.it) – wer Glück hat, wird sogar in Limonetto abgeholt.
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Was the Posto Tappa in Limonetto now permanently closed (was in previous years only opened fairly irregular). A place to stay near the Hotel Edelweiss (www.edelweisslimone.it) - if you're lucky, will even be picked in Limonetto.
|
5h05 |
15.76 km
|
738 m
|
1000 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.