Fontanalbe Circuit

Larch forests, tranquil lakes and archaeological interest combine to offer a trail that can be completed with a guided tour departing from the "vacherie supérieure" or the Fontanalbe refuge (tours organized daily during the summer season, booking required on vallee-merveilles.com). You can also discover the engravings without a guide, by following the signposted route.

There are 2 ways to reach the Fontanalba refuge:
- From the entrance to the hamlet of Casterino (1h30 to reach the refuge, 600 m ascent): From the reception chalet at the entrance to Casterino, take the old military track (beacon 391) to the crossroads (beacon 390) indicating the Fontanalbe refuge (on the left).
- Start from "Potamou" 2km north of Casterino (1h45 to reach the refuge, 300m ascent): From marker 395, take the military track, pass marker 392 and continue to marker 390.

From the refuge:
Pass the refuge (beacon 389), continue straight on to beacon 387. From here, turn right towards Lac Vert, and you'll be on the discovery trail, which you can follow without a guide. This loop takes you past the Lacs Jumeaux, from which regular guided tours depart.
Return to marker 388 and take either the same path as before, or the second loop trail.

Tourism info:
Less well known than the nearby Merveilles area, the Fontanalbe sector boasts an astonishing wealth of agrarian-inspired "petroglyphs". Some 4,000 years ago, shepherds left an indelible mark on the area during the summer months. This grandiose site, dotted with numerous lakes, is dominated by Mount Bego (2,872 m), an imposing summit and symbol of divinity.

Show less