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Hiking the Maritime Alps: The
Azure Alps of France and Italy
June 28 - July 7, 2008
Plan your arrival in Nice, France for June 27
Plan your departure from Nice, France for the afternoon of July 8 or later
Explore the Alps where they meet the Mediterranean! Our Maritime Alps
itinerary allows you to sample the trails on both sides of the border! In
the quiet, unfrequented corners of the protected Parc National du
Mercantour (France) and the Parco Naturale della Alpi Marittime
(Italy) you'll find alpine wonders the equal of those found anywhere in the
Alps! Here, rushing streams, flower-spangled meadows and glorious alpine
lakes sparkle like jewels in the rocky crown of the "Azure Alps."
Day 1
Overnight in Casterino
Lunch and dinner included
This morning, depart Nice and travel by vehicle into the foothills of the
Maritime Alps. This area is often referred to as the moyen pays
("middle country") and is known for its wealth of charming mountain
villages. Hike along an ancient Roman route called the Voie Ligure ("Ligurian
Way") which leads through fragrant Mediterranean woodlands to the lovely
village perché ("perched village") of Peillon whose stone houses cluster
around a rocky crag like candles on a birthday cake. Wander the narrow
streets and covered passageways; there are no cars in Peillon so sometimes
all you’ll hear are the sounds of your footsteps echoing off ancient stone
walls. You can linger here, or if you'd like a longer hike, continue along
herb-lined trails that lead through olive groves and sunny landscapes to the
village of Peille--a village empilé, or "stacked village." After
lunch, travel by vehicle up the Roya Valley and continue into the high
mountains to reach the hamlet of Casterino where you'll overnight at a
comfortable, new alpine hotel for the next two nights.
Day 2
Overnight in Casterino, France
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Today, enjoy mountain hikes in the high valleys surrounding Mont Bego, an
area well-known for its wealth of rock petroglyphs. Hike into the Fontanalba
valley whose upper reaches boast broad expanses of glacially-polished rock,
alpine tarns, wet meadows, groves of feathery-needled larch trees and clumps
of alpenrose (a mountain Rhododendron). The view of Mont Bego from
the hillsides just above the Lacs Jumeaux (Twin Lakes) is
picture-postcard perfect and the long-horned mountain sheep called ibex (bouquetin
in French) are frequently seen in this area. Just behind the Lacs Jumeaux is
the Voie Sacrée ("Sacred Way"), a long, glacially-polished slab of
rock; innumerable ancient petroglyphs were pecked into its rust-colored
surface by ancient hands. For a vigorous and spectacular high alpine trail
adventure, hike into the Vallée des Merveilles ("Valley of Marvels"),
a high, rock-strewn valley also renowned for its petroglyphs. Cross the
lofty pass known as the Baisse de Valmasque and descend into the remote
Valmasque Valley passing by the lovely Basto, Black and Green Lakes before
returning to Casterino.
Day 3
Overnight in Entracque, Italy
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Travel by vehicle from Casterino to the lofty mountain pass known as the Col
de Tende on the French-Italian border. From the pass set off on the Circuit
des Forts, a walking route that takes you by the impressive ruins of several
forts (including Fort Central) that were constructed by the Italians to
guard the border in the late 19th century after the County of Nice (Comté
de Nice) was ceded to France in 1860. In addition to the historical
interest, this high-country walk offers far-ranging views over a sea of
peaks! Alternatively, hardy hikers can choose to walk from France to Italy
across the Alps via the Colle de Sabbione and the Valle di Moncolomb. This
route is rugged and challenging but the reward for the effort is some of the
wildest scenery the Alps have to offer. Herds of chamois and ibex are often
encountered on this hike. To top things off, you'll also enjoy an excellent
measure of solitude which is often hard to come by in Europe's mountains.
From trail's end, travel by vehicle to the lovely alpine village of
Entracque, Italy where you'll spend two nights.
Day 4
Overnight in Entracque, Italy
Breakfast & dinner included
Travel by vehicle to the Palanfré region at the eastern edge of the Parco
Naturale della Alpi Marittime. The Palanfré region was one of three
nature reserves that in 1995 were merged to create the Alpi Marittime
Natural Park. Today's hikes lead into the mountain basin dominated by Monte
Frisson whose sharp, pyramidal shape has led to its nickname, piccolo
Cervino ("little Matterhorn"). Three small, gem-like tarns at the foot
of Monte Frisson are sometimes referred to as "the Mirrors of Frisson." You
can hike to the first two "mirrors" (the Laghi di Frisson), spread
out your picnic lunch, and enjoy the splendid alpine setting! For more
hiking, continue to the Passo della Mena to enjoy a stunning panorama of
peaks before completing a loop through the upper Frisson basin that allows
you to visit all three of Frisson's "mirrors.
Day 5
Overnight in St. Martin Vésubie
Breakfast & dinner included
Today, you have an opportunity to hike the ancient route du sel
("salt route") across the Maritime Alps from Italy to France via the Valle
della Barra and the Colle de Finestra! This route was one of several that
were once used to transport salt and other goods across the Alps from the
Middle Ages to the nineteenth century. This trans-Alpine hike concludes at
the mountain sanctuary of Madone de Fenestre in France from where you'll
shuttle by vehicle to the old, formerly fortified mountain village of St.
Martin Vésubie. St. Martin lies in the old Comté de Savoie (County of
Savoie) which was once politically separate from France; its inhabitants are
still fiercely proud of their "savoyard" heritage! If you prefer not to hike
to France, you can travel by vehicle to St. Martin Vésubie via the Col de la
Lombarde stopping en route for a hike to the spectacular lakes and peaks of
Lausfer.
Day 6
Overnight in St. Martin Vésubie
Breakfast & dinner included
Spend today hiking in the Val du Haut Boréon, one of the finest hiking areas
in the Vésubie area. Here you'll find peaceful alpine lakes, splendid
forests and mountain meadows backdropped by the distinctive peak of La
Cougourde and its entourage of Mercantour summits. A more strenuous hiking
option leads to the cobalt waters of the exquisite Lacs Bessons (Twin
Lakes) set in a rocky basin polished smooth by long-vanished glaciers.
Day 7
Overnight in St. Martin Vésubie
Breakfast & dinner included
Shuttle by vehicle to the Salèse Valley and enjoy a hike to the quiet and
beautiful Lac des Adus set in green meadows enlivened by the blossoms of the
rusty alpenrose. Or choose a more vigorous hike past the shallow Lac de
Cerise ("Cherry Lake") whose shoreline is lined with rose colored rocks.
Continue ascending to the isolated and beautiful Lac Mercantour and the
windswept summit of the Cime de Cerise. Shuttle back to St. Martin at the
conclusion of the hike. In the afternoon, a visit to one of the exquisite
painted chapels of the Maritime Alps is a possibility!
Day 8
Overnight in St. Martin Vésubie
Breakfast & dinner included
Hike through larch, spruce and pine woods along the floor of the narrow
Salèse Valley to the Col de Salèse. Continue ascending through meadows and
open woods to reach magnificent, rock-rimmed Lac Nègre. Chamois and ibex can
sometimes be seen in the vicinity. Nearby, pretty Lac Graveirette,
surrounded by ancient larch trees and meadows, beckons the hiker. A more
challenging hiking option leads past the numerous tarns of the Fremamorte
basin and over the Col de Fremamorte into Italy. The trail leads past the
three Fremamorta Lakes set on a rocky "bench" high above Valle della
Valletta. Hike back to France via the Pas de Prefouns and descend to Lac
Nègre before heading down the Salèse Valley to trail's end.
Day 9
Overnight in Auron
Breakfast & dinner included
Embark on a loop hike around Mont Caval, a route that is known by the
residents of St. Martin Vésubie as the Five Lakes Circuit (Circuit des
Cinq Lacs). After ascending the forested Vallon de Prals the trail
emerges into the vast alpine pastures of the Prals Basin spangled with
wildflowers. The Five Lakes Basin, a short distance beyond, contains the
five shallow tarns called the Lacs de Prals backdropped by the rocky summit
of Mont Neiglier. An alternative hike will take you through the
flower-filled meadowlands that cloak the ridgecrest of the Cime di Piagu.
From this balcony in the sky between the Fenestre and Boreon Valleys you'll
enjoy far-ranging and unobstructed views of the peaks of the high Mercantour.
After your hike, travel by vehicle to the ridge-top village of Auron where
you'll spend the next two nights.
Day 10
Overnight in Auron
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Explore the alpine treasures of the Haute Tinée! Here, you'll find some of
the wildest mountain landscapes in the Mercantour National Park. For an
introduction to the high-country splendors of the area, choose the hike to
Lac Vens, one of several large and glorious alpine lakes in the upper Tinée
Valley. For a bit more challenge, sample a portion of the Chemin de
l'Energie, an extended high-country "dream walk" along a well-engineered
trail. The hike is long (and there's some significant elevation loss at the
end of the hike), but it's a vista-filled, sometimes virtually level,
promenade high above the valley of the Tinée. (The chemin was
constructed as part of a hydroelectric project that was initiated in the
early 20th century but was halted with the onset of the First World War.) No
matter which hike you choose, an outing in the mountains of the Haute Tinée
is a perfect way to cap off your mountain adventure in the Maritime Alps.
Return to Auron for the evening. On the morning of July 8 you'll enjoy
breakfast in Auron before traveling back to Nice by vehicle with a late
morning arrival time in Nice.
Other Details about this Trip
Trip Dates: June 28 - July 7, 2008 (Trip Leaders: Amy and John Osaki)
Price: $3,195
Single room for entire trip: $300
Accommodations: Ten nights in small hotels and inns. All rooms with
private bath. Ten breakfasts, four lunches, and ten dinners are included.
Meeting Point: Hotel in Nice, France on the morning of June 28, 2008.
We suggest you spend the evening of June 27 in Nice. The cost of lodging for
the evening of June 27 is not included in the trip price.
Departure Point: Tour services conclude after dinner in Auron on the
evening of July 7. However, your lodging for that evening, breakfast the
following morning, and transfer to the airport or rail station in Nice,
France on the morning of July 8 are included in the trip price. Please plan
your onward travel from Nice no earlier than noon.
Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box
86250, Portland, OR 97286, USA
Toll free 1-888-743-0723 / 503-788-9017 / Fax 503-788-0463
info@walkingsoftly.com /
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