Hiking - Lake Niré

This Alpine itinerary in the heart of the Gordolasque Valley will lead you to the refuge of Nice or Victor de Cessole, the starting point for several of the great peaks of the Mercantour, and finally on to Lake Niré, a peaceful haven for chamois and ibex.
Shapes moulded by glaciers, migmatites, eclogites, the remains of lost ocean.... come here and discover the geological riches of the Gordolasque Valley.

From Countet Bridge (marker 411), take the path which runs alongside the Gordolasque mountain stream. On the right, the Grand Capelet (2935m) towers over the valley with its imposing bulk and the Tête du lac Autier (2740m) with its flat summit shows the way to go.
You will then go past a heap of big blocks which have fallen from the mountain, an ideal terrain for climbers.
At marker 413, note the glacier cliff and its smooth rocks which the mountain stream flows over in waterfalls. Cross the river via the wooden footbridge and climb up the opposite bank. Follow the Autier mountain stream until marker 414. At the marker, take a left turn and climb over the Mur des Italiens.
Keep climbing amid this more chaotic and rocky scenery until you reach the dam of the Lac de Fous, which was built in 1968 (marker 416).
Head right on the GR52 which runs alongside the artificial lake and lead to the Nice refuge (marker 417). Continue towards "Baisse du Basto".
At marker 418, cross the mountain stream and start climbing the Niré valley until you reach Lake Niré (2350m), which is aligned with the summit of the same name.
Follow the same route for the return journey.

Although this itinerary is a long one, it does not include any particularly difficult passages. However, it should be noted that until late June there could still be snow which reduces the visibility of the markers.