Cime du Gélas (Italian: Monte Gelàs) is a 3,143 m high mountain on the boundary between France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region) and Italy (province of Cuneo). It is part of the Maritime Alps.

It is the highest peak of the Mercantour National Park, while on the Italian side it is included in the Maritime Alps Natural Park. Geologically, it is part of the Mercantour-Argentera massif, and is mostly formed by granitoid gneiss. The peak is composed of two smaller ones, divided by a gorge; the highest peak is the northern one, which is topped by a cross built here by priests from Cuneo.

Cime du Gélas

The mountain's name derives from the glaciers which occupy its northern slopes, which have however reduced substantially during the late 20th century.

Cime du Gélas

References

Maps

Italian official cartography (Istituto Geografico Militare - IGM); on-line version: www.pcn.minambiente.it French official cartography (Institut Géographique National - IGN); on-line version: www.geoportail.fr

Cime du Gélas

External links

Geologic map

Mercantour National Park

Gelas

Gelas

Gelas

Province of Cuneo

France–Italy border

Gelas

Gelas

Mountains partially in France

Highest points of French national parks