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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3h10 |
15.76 km
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965 m
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1225 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.
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
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.
|
3h10 |
15.76 km
|
965 m
|
1225 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.