On the roof of Alpes Maritimes

The highest mountain pass la Bonette was opened for public traffic in 1961. The paved road makes a loop around the mountain and climbs to 2802m. There are several mountain roads in Europe higher than this but none of them connects a town or a region. Even so, this road is open for traffic only during the snowless period. Further down the road D64 is the hamlet of Bousiéyas, the highest village in Alpes Maritimes. The last allegedly permanent inhabitant, Madame Delmas, passed away alone there during one harsh winter in the 1960s. Today, there is a gîte during the summer season. The tour presented here is a classic hike ascending to the mountain crest of la Blanche south of Bousiéyas. After the initial ascent to the long crest, the scenery is extraordinary even for a seasoned hiker. You are in the middle of high terrain with an unobstructed view of major peaks in all directions. Details are described in French in the guidebook Rando Haut Pays/Crête de la Blanche. Duration: 5 h 30 min walking time. Vertical ascent: 760m. Map: Haute Tinée 1, TOP No 3639 OT Music courtesy of Far Out Recordings; Track Magnetic Feel (Roc Hunter) from the Album "Far Out Jazz Funk".