Pelat, Mountain summit in Mercantour National Park, France
Pelat rises to 3,053 meters (10,016 feet) in the Maritime Alps between the Verdon, Var, and Bachelard valleys. The massif displays steep rock faces and alpine meadows, crossed by trails that connect to higher peaks in the region.
The terrain was shaped during the last ice age by glaciers that carved deep valleys and rock formations. These ice masses left behind a landscape of lakes and high plateaus that remain visible today.
The mountain functions as a traditional summer pasture where shepherds continue age-old practices of grazing livestock with guard dogs. This pastoral use shapes how the landscape looks and changes throughout the seasons.
Access depends on weather conditions and season, with summer offering the best window for climbing. Hikers should prepare for significant elevation changes and bring proper gear and navigation tools.
On clear days, the summit offers sweeping views that stretch from southern mountain chains to distant northern peaks. These panoramic vistas shift with light and season, revealing different layers of the alpine landscape.
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