France - Crossing the Mercantour

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from LL of Church Village on 22/08/2024

2025: 7 day / 6 nights / 5 riding days - Itinerary to follow

Please note below is a sample itinerary and should be treated as guidance.

You will discover the magnificent landscapes of the high mountains of the Southern Alps. The route follows the "via Alpina" between the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, linking the 8 countries of the Alpine arc, from Slovenia to the Principality of Monaco.

From the Roya valley to the Ubaye via the Tinée, the Vésubie, the high valley of the Var, alternating high-mountain mineral landscapes, generous mountain pastures, larch forests and high-altitude villages, this combination of wilderness and traditional mountain habitats offers a journey through space - impressive landscapes - and time - heritage and authentic pastoralism.

This itinerary is not a loop, the departure point is different from the arrival point; the itinerary can run in both directions. Transfers will be organized for riders. Below itinerary is given as an example, the final itinerary will be sent before departure.

Day 1
Transfer: Meeting at 3pm at NICE AIRPORT TERMINAL 2, DEPARTURE LEVEL, GATE A3. Overnight at La bonne Auberge in St Martin Vésubie (or similar)

Day 2
6h30 Riding: After breakfast head to the riding center for 9am to meet the horses and start your adventure. Today, ride to Valdeblore. Ride through forested valleys, ascend to Col de Barn and follow a ridge trail to Rimpas cowsheds before dismounting for a beautiful descent, 1000m in elevation. During the day stop for a picnic lunch and stay overnight at the Murès Inn in St Dalmas Valdeblore (or similar)
Pace : Walk on the mountain paths, faster paces on the tracks

Day 3
7h Riding: After breakfast set off on horseback riding over the mountain paths, crossing the Tinee Valley. Reach the villahe of Roure by noon. After a picnic lunch enjoy a gentle afternoon ride through the forests to beautiful views of the sea. Arrive in Longon Vally. Overnight 1/2 board at the Robur de Roure hotel (or similar)
Pace : Crossing of the Tinée by steep paths, possibly some canters in the morning.

Day 4
8h Riding: After breakfast enjoy a gentle morning riding through the Larch forests, then on through Longon valley which lends itself to trots and canters. Homemade picnic on the trail for lunch then on to mountain trails and then cantering trails to finish the day. Overnight at Domaine de la Pierre in Beuil (or similar)
Pace: Riding at all paces dependant on terrain.

Day 5
7h Riding: A day of riding mountain paths, a quick detour around the Valner Ski resort before descending towards the beautiful village of Peone. Enjoy a homemade picnic on the trail and overnight stay just outside the village of Peone in a restored farm (or similar)
Pace: Riding at all paces dependant on terrain.

Day 6
7h30 Riding: A day of riding along enchanted forests paths, crossing the rarely used trails of the hamlets of Bouchanieres and Barels. Enjoy a picnic on the trail. This is a day of changing landscape before arriving at Chez Guislaines aux Tourres. Overnight stay Tourrès at Guislaine's house (or similar).

Day 7
6h30 Riding: Today ride the high plateaus of Upper Var, ride across the sheep pastures, several possible routes. You may get to see the highly trained sheep dogs hard at work. Enjoy another homemade picnic on the trail and another overnight stay at Tourrès at Guislaine's house (or similar).

Day 8
Transfer: Breakfast at Guislaine before transferring to Nice Airport. (included in the price)

NB : The itinerary may be done in reverse.

Read more about this trip in our blog article Crossing the Mercantour

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The focus here has always been to allow the horses to live the most natural life possible. The horses are raised in open pasture and they mature in the wild with their compatriots. They are not stabled, nor fenced into small paddocks, but instead, graze and wander free at one with nature.

The horses are a mix of breeds, temperaments and ages, including Merens, Spanish, Portuguese, Arab and Pottoks. There are natural leaders among the group of course, and the young learn from the behaviour of their elders. The horses are trained with simple hackamore bitless bridles. Most saddles are Portuguese military types, there are also some English saddles. During your ride, you will very much ride in a natural way, allowing the horses to follow their own path and pace and with the pack horses loose amongst the ride.

As this is a point to point trail, the horses will be carrying your belongings. A 'banana' saddle pack of about 18 litres is provided (located at the back of the saddle) for personal belongings (toiletries, change of clothes for the night, etc.).

Please bring a 'Sheet bag' (a kind of single duvet cover - www.decathlon.fr/browse/_/N-cxmp77/c0-tous-les-sports/c1-camping-bivouac/_/N-cxmp77 ) and not sleeping bags because they won't fit in the 'banana bag', a towel will be useful. Keep your daytime clothes (sunscreen, telephone, etc.) in the horses' saddlebags. Riding hats and half chaps are also available to borrow.

There is between 5 and 8 hours per day of riding/walking. The rides are on rolling country and high alpine terrain. On steep ground, riders will need to dismount and lead their horses, so walking boots are essential as they are more practical than flat soled riding boots. Half chaps and riding hats are provided. A decent weight of jeans or jodhpur is recommended. Riders should bring a waterproof coat, as the weather can change very quickly in the mountains. All of the guides are well qualified, speak French, English, Italian and sometimes Spanish and Portuguese. Safety briefings will be given where appropriate.

Riders of all levels are welcome. A reasonable level of fitness is required, as the rides are full days with 7/8 hours either riding or leading your mount, and with significant ascents/descents (around 2 hours/day walking during descents only). Riders must be able to mount and dismount unaided.

Help to catch, groom and saddle are welcome but not compulsory.

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation is in hotels, guesthouses, mountain lodges, refuges, hostels, and B&Bs, depending on the route. Private rooms are available for a supplement when possible (hotel or B&B). Guests should be prepared to share rooms and bathroom facilities on this ride. All rooms are gender neutral.

Generous picnics and meals use local and/or organic products. Special dietary needs can also be catered for. Please note that accommodation is not included the night of Day 7, after the ride has finished. This has to be booked separately, although your sales consultant will be able to help you with this.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Due to the different altitudes and landscapes covered on this ride the climate can vary quite a lot. Temperatures will be cooler in the mountains and there will be a higher chance of rainfall. The following is based on climate data for Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage. During the months June, July, August, September and October you will experience pleasant weather with a nice average temperature. Most rainfall (rainy season / monsoon) is seen in October and November. On average, the warmest month is July. On average, the coolest month is January. October is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you don't like too much rain. July is the driest month.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in France and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.


Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).

In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Electricity in available most nights to recharge batteries, as well as Wifi. Mobile phone reception is limited.

As this is a point to point trail, your horses will be carrying your belongings. You will be provided with a 'banana'  saddle pack (located at the back of the saddle) of about 18 litres where all your personal belongings have to fit (toiletries, change of clothes for the night, etc.). Please bring a 'Sheet bag' (a kind of single duvet cover - https://www.decathlon.fr/drap-de-sac-polyester-gris-id_8382711.html) and not sleeping bags because they won't fit in the 'banana bag', a towel will be useful. You can put your daytime clothes (sunscreen, telephone, etc.) in the horses' saddlebags. Riding hats and half chaps are also available to borrow.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, jeans breeches or other comfortable trousers
- Good quality walking boots with a deep heel - due to the terrain and the need to walk leading the horse at times it is recommended you choose walking boots over riding boots.
- Chaps
- Waterproof clothing - jacket and trousers or slicker
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Warm jumper/fleece
- Sports bra for women
- Comfortable clothes for the evenings
- Comfortable shoes for the evenings
- Warm night clothes
- Swimsuit - a swimming cap is also obligatory for the thermal baths if you visit them.
- Towel
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- A knife is not mandatory but useful to cut the bread and cheese during picnics.
- A sheet bag (https://www.amazon.com/Cocoon-COCO-01-Cotton-TravelSheet/dp/B001DX803W)
- Earplugs are useful for people who need silence to sleep as some night we might sleep in the same rooms

Provided by hosts
Walking boots there is a range of boots available to borrow on site.
Riding Helmet there is a range available to borrow on site.
Half Chaps
Swimming Cap

8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days on set dates.

2025: 12, 20 July

Single rooms may not be available on some or all nights. For those nights when a single room is available, supplements will apply. Please enquire for availability at the time of booking if you prefer a single room.

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 Un Sherpa dans le Mercantour - Malou Ravella

Brumes du Mercantour Jean Sicardi

Mercantour Patrick Merienne

La sente étroite au bout des Alpes: Carnets de voyage dans le Mercantour - Caroline Audibert

Dans les brummes du Mercantour - Dominique Marie Rousseau

Theodore Zeldin ‘The French’,

Francoise Sagan ‘Bonjour Tristesse’,

Peter Mayle ‘A Year in Provence’ and ‘Toujours Provence’,

Louis Stevensons ‘Travels with a Donkey’ and

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback, visit www.thelongridersguild.com. An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com  

On some rides there will be access to hot springs which is included in the price.

There are several species of mountainous goat and antelope including chamois, ibex and mouflon as well as red deer and roe deer that can be spotted in the undergrowth lower down. Marmots, ermine, hares and wild boars, partridges, golden eagles and buzzards, numerous species of butterflies and even Italian wolves can also be found within the National Park

This ride is not suitable for non-riding companions.

The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower. It is a country steeped in history. Staggering monasteries and castles dotted all over the country are a reminder of a turbulent and often violent past, especially in the Carcasonne region where the Gnostic Christian organisation the Cathars, held fast against a crusade launched in the 11th century by an angry and vengeful Catholic church for over twenty years. Despite their vow of non-violence they had a strong support base, including the Knights Templar, and their name often pops up in the legend of the Holy Grail. The French character has undoubtedly been influenced by their past, today they are a proud and patriotic people famed for enjoying the finer things in life and displaying a great generosity in their willingness to share their country with the millions of visitors they receive each year. Food is very important in French culture, almost a passion. Families eat dinner together late in the evening and their diet is usually very healthy, packed with home grown fruit and vegetables. You will hardly ever see anyone eating on the street; if you do chances are they're not French! France is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for France is +33.