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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-day route Long Distance Hiking  · Région Sud - Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur

The Salt Routes: the Royal Route

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Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur Verified partner 
  • Cover - volume 2 the Royal route
    Cover - volume 2 the Royal route
    Photo: Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.

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    The Franco-Italian hiking route "the Royal Route" connects Menton to Cuneo in 9 stages, passing through the Roya valley, the Mercantour National Park, the legendary Tende Pass, and the Alpi Marittime Park. It is based on the historical salt routes and invites you to discover the countless riches of the territory amidst magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean.

    difficult
    Distance 126.6 km
    49:15 h
    6,768 m
    6,316 m
    1,980 m
    0 m

    The Salt Routes project is the result of successful cross-border cooperation between territorial authorities, natural parks, and chambers of commerce from the Alpes-Maritimes, Piedmont, and Liguria.

    Halfway between hiking guide and novel, the three-volume collection "Pagarine Route", "Royal Route", "Smugglers Route" allows a playful discovery of this historical period, both faithful and fictional.

    Through this original format, the Franco-Italian partners wanted to offer a different perspective on the close historical and cultural ties that unite this territory thanks to the support of passionate historians.

    Walking these three hiking routes is an opportunity to discover the countless riches of the territory amidst magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Volume 2, from Menton to Cuneo, follows the traces of our fictional heroine Eleonore on the old Royal Route. It is available to view at this link.

    This project is funded by the ALPIMED PATRIM project as part of the INTERREG ALCOTRA programme.

    Author’s recommendation

    The novel-guide created for this route is part of a three-volume collection themed on the Salt Routes:

    The Pagarine Route from Nice to Cuneo

    The Royal Route from Menton to Cuneo

    The Smugglers Route from Imperia to Mondovì

    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    1,980 m
    Lowest point
    0 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Dirt road 0.03%Forested/wild trail 0%Path 1.26%Road 0.04%Unknown 98.64%
    Dirt road
    50 m
    Forested/wild trail
    10 m
    Path
    1.6 km
    Road
    60 m
    Unknown
    124.9 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    In case of emergency, dial 112

    Tips and suggestions

    The route has been designed to offer you accommodation and dining options at each stage. Remember to book before your departure! To learn more about the available services in the area, you can contact the tourist offices.

    • Menton Riviera & Merveilles Tourist Office

    menton-riviera-merveilles.fr

    +33 4 83 93 70 20

    • Azienda Turistica Locale del Cuneese

    visitcuneese.it

    +39 0171 690217

    Roadbook

    Specific waymarking is placed on the hiking posts with the "Route du sel" logo.

    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
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    Photo
    Video
    Sospel Office de Tourisme
    Saorge
    Fort Central

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    The route starts in the town centre of Menton, easily accessible by train from Menton station. Public transport within the French Riviera Agglomeration Community is provided by the ZEST network zestbus.fr From Sospel to Cuneo, it is also possible to take the Train of Wonders. The return can be made by the same train line towards Nice or Ventimiglia. Timetables and information on trenitlia.com and sncf-connect.com.

    Get Timetable to destination

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    The Salt Routes: the Royal Route

    Directions

    By train on the Grasse-Cannes-Nice-Ventimiglia line. Connection from Nice Côte d'Azur airport to Nice Saint-Augustin train station.

    By car from the A8 motorway.

    Coordinates

    DD
    43.776661, 7.508027
    DMS
    43°46'36.0"N 7°30'28.9"E
    UTM
    32T 379933 4848149
    w3w 
    ///broadcasts.compartment.weans
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Author’s map recommendations

    IGN25 maps

    • 3742OT - NICE MENTON
    • 3741ET - BÉVÉRA AND PAILLONS VALLEYS
    • 3841OT - ROYA VALLEY MERCANTOUR NP

    Fraternali editore map

    • 16 - VAL VERMENAGNA, VALLE PESIO, UPPER ELLERO VALLEY

    Book recommendations for this region:

    Show more

    Equipment

    • Suitable hiking shoes are strongly recommended
    • Bring water, a cap, provisions, a waterproof and warm garment
    • A flashlight or headlamp in case of passing through a tunnel or to avoid being caught by nightfall
    • A first aid kit

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from French.

    User Questions


    June 07, 2024
    Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.  
    Bonjour, Nous vous remercions pour l'intérêt que vous portez à ces beaux topoguides romancés ! Le lien de téléchargement du 1e tome (route Pagarine) est disponible ici : https://www.outdooractive.com/r/82252660?page=media%2Fdownload Les autres tomes sont consultables sur les liens suivants : - Route Royale : https://www.calameo.com/books/00732068164e67865af97 - Route des contrebandiers : https://www.calameo.com/read/0073206816b4233aa5594 Pouvez-vous envoyer votre demande à outdoor@nicecotedazur.org, nous vous adresserons les PDF. Bonne journée

    Unanswered

    où puis-je acheter les tomes 2 et 3 ? on m'a offert le 1 lors de la conférence sur le climat au CUMce mercredi avec mes remerciements

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    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    126.6 km
    Duration
    49:15 h
    Ascent
    6,768 m
    Descent
    6,316 m
    Highest point
    1,980 m
    Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Fauna Summit route Linear route

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

    • My Map
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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Difficulty Stage 1
    Distance 18.3 km
    Duration 7:00 h
    Ascent 1,436 m
    Descent 1,104 m

    Stroll through the old town and its colorful facades to discover the treasures of the most Italian of French towns. Then climb the first border ...

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    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    Difficulty Stage 2
    Distance 14.9 km
    Duration 5:10 h
    Ascent 559 m
    Descent 616 m

    Heading towards the Roya, through centuries-old olive trees, you'll pass through Piène-haute, a hamlet perched between the Alps and the ...

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    Hiking Trail · Côte d'Azur France (Alpes-Maritimes)
    Breil sur Roya - Saorge / Route royale (stage 3)
    Difficulty difficult Stage 3
    Distance 9.7 km
    Duration 5:15 h
    Ascent 960 m
    Descent 712 m

    Following in the footsteps of the Route Royale to the village of Saorge, clinging to the mountainside above the Roya Gorge.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    Difficulty Stage 4
    Distance 14.6 km
    Duration 5:45 h
    Ascent 939 m
    Descent 708 m

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    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    Difficulty Stage 5
    Distance 5.9 km
    Duration 2:05 h
    Ascent 294 m
    Descent 240 m

    In Haute-Roya, between La Brigue and Tende, two villages with countless treasures, the last stop before Piedmont.

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    Hiking Trail · Gesso and Vermenagna Valleys
    Tende - Limonetto / Route royale (stage 6)
    Difficulty Stage 6
    Distance 14.9 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 1,210 m
    Descent 724 m

    En route to the Col de Tende, a centuries-old passage marked by the imprint of man, with its breathtaking views of the Po plain and the Northern ...

    No ratings (yet)
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    Hiking Trail · Gesso and Vermenagna Valleys
    Limonetto - Vernante / Route royale (stage 7)
    Difficulty Stage 7
    Distance 19 km
    Duration 6:20 h
    Ascent 738 m
    Descent 1,241 m

    Return to the valley floor at Limone Piemonte, then along the Vermenagna to Vernante.

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    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    Hiking Trail · Gesso and Vermenagna Valleys
    Vernante - Boves / Route royale (stage 8)
    Difficulty Stage 8
    Distance 18.8 km
    Duration 6:30 h
    Ascent 923 m
    Descent 1,133 m

    Between chestnut trees, vast clearings, steep valleys and magnificent shady hillsides all the way to Boves.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    Difficulty Stage 9
    Distance 10.5 km
    Duration 2:40 h
    Ascent 34 m
    Descent 101 m

    At the foot of the Alps, at the confluence of the Gesso and Stura valleys, Cuneo and its famous arcades is the last stop on our journey.

    No ratings (yet)
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