A southern Alpine valley shaped by long-distance routes, high passes, and journeys through Mercantour.
The Tinée Valley, including the high-mountain upper reaches known as the Haute Tinée, is one of the southern French Alps’ most dramatic and varied landscapes for walking holidays. Running south from the high borderlands near Italy toward the lower valleys of the Alpes-Maritimes, the Tinée is defined by steep valley walls, high passes, and routes that link mountains, villages, and neighbouring valleys.
This is a landscape shaped by altitude and contrast. Upper sections of the valley sit among open mountain basins and exposed terrain, while lower areas descend through forested slopes and historic settlements. Walking here reveals a strong sense of transition — between Alpine and Mediterranean climates, high ground and deep valleys, and remote routes and lived-in villages.
The Tinée Valley supports a wide range of outdoor adventures, from sustained valley walking to demanding hiking adventures across high passes and exposed ground. Routes are shaped by weather, elevation, and distance, making careful planning an essential part of any journey.
For those drawn to cycling journeys, the valley is well known for its mountain roads and cols. Quiet stretches of road climb steadily toward high passes, often following the same historic corridors used by walkers for centuries. Walking and cycling routes frequently intersect, reinforcing the Tinée’s role as a true movement corridor through the southern Alps.
Across the valley, distinctive places to stay shape how journeys unfold. Villages provide bases for exploration, while high-mountain refuges — positioned along long-distance routes — make multi-day travel across Mercantour possible. Together, these journeys — on foot, by bike, and between carefully placed places to stay — make the Tinée Valley a region best explored slowly, thoughtfully, and on its own terms.
The Tinée Valley is an important junction for long-distance walking routes through the southern Alps, linking the high borderlands with lower Alpine valleys.
The GR5 passes through the upper Tinée as it travels from the North Sea toward the Mediterranean. This section includes some of the route’s most demanding Alpine stages, with long climbs, high passes, and extended distances between settlements.
Walkers pass through upper-valley areas near Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage and Isola, before crossing into neighbouring valleys via remote mountain terrain. The route’s character here is distinctly Alpine — exposed, high, and shaped by weather as much as distance.
Beyond the GR5, a network of historic paths and mountain roads connects:
These routes allow walkers and hikers to build linear or modular journeys across Mercantour and beyond, adapting plans to experience and conditions.
Much of the Tinée Valley lies within Mercantour National Park, one of France’s most significant protected mountain landscapes.
Here, high peaks, glacial valleys, and alpine meadows dominate the upper reaches, while lower slopes support forests, traditional settlements, and historic routes. Wildlife such as ibex, chamois, and golden eagles is common in the higher terrain, and walking routes often pass through landscapes shaped more by geology than development.
Mercantour provides continuity across the valley, linking the Tinée to neighbouring Alpine regions through protected terrain and long-established paths.
The Tinée Valley rewards those who enjoy journeys shaped by elevation, exposure, and movement through changing terrain.
Accommodation in the Tinée reflects the valley’s range and elevation.
Villages such as Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, Isola, and smaller upper-valley settlements offer hotels, guesthouses, and auberges that support both walkers and cyclists. Higher up, routes depend on mountain refuges, which make long-distance walking and high-level crossings possible.
Refuges such as Refuge de Longon play a crucial role in enabling self-guided journeys across otherwise inaccessible terrain, acting as essential waypoints rather than simple overnight stops.
Key destinations within the Tinée Valley include:
Each plays a different role in supporting walking holidays and long-distance travel through the valley.
The Tinée Valley offers a powerful sense of Alpine scale and transition — from high borderland terrain to deep southern valleys.
It suits travellers drawn to:
This is a valley where movement, geography, and time remain closely linked.
