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Menton to Sospel

Follow the GR5 over a couple of cols to Sospel

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
18 km
Ascent
1.5 km
Descent
1.2 km
Duration
1 day +
Low Point
0 m
High Point
1.1 km
Gradient
23˚
Menton to Sospel Map

OK so this is probably the only days "ski touring" you'll ever do where you're unlikely to see any snow. But you're in for the long haul here, so suck it up and get used to carrying your skis- hopefully tomorrow from Sospel it won't all be carrying! Our vision is a journey of many weeks, months or even years, if you split it, to cross the whole Alpine Arc from the Mediterranean to Vienna. It has been done many times, perhaps by a few hundred people, and there are a number of books describing it. Undoubtedly it is hard work but deeply rewarding, particularly, as described here, without using any mechanised transport on the entire journey.

Description

Leaving Menton from the port you will pass numerous locals giving you distinctly funny looks as you walk past the palm trees with skis on your pack. After parading down the promenade you will be following the well marked GR52 trail all the way to Sospel, crossing a couple of cols in the process, over 1000m each one of them, so although overall altitude is low this is still a tough day from sea level. Your exciting journey has commenced!

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between February and March

Features

  • Ski Mountaineering