Independent Walking
Independent Walking
ALPS to MED TRAIL
T his great walking holiday in southern France follows an extraordinary trail from the alpine mountains of the Mercantour to the Mediterranean coast at Menton. Your trail passes through a number of delightful perched villages, full of charm with plenty of cultural and historic interest with their superb Baroque architecture. Our walking holiday is an ideal spring or autumn break and can be made easier by taking the odd train or bus journey. Your 6 day trail will take you from one historic terrace to the next between pine forests and olive groves in narrow valleys and picturesque gorges, passing by historic villages clinging to steep mountainsides. Lovers of dramatic landscapes and historic villages will be satisfied in equal measure.
Walks: day-by-day
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at your first guest house in the Mercantour.
Day 2: Tour from St Dalmas de Tende
Day tour during which you ' ll pass through two superb historic villages- Tende and La Brigue, which are as beautiful as the wild mountains of the Mercantour. It is possible to reduce the difficulty and distance by taking the train for some sections. +/- 860 m, 5h30
Day 3: St Dalmas de Tende- Saorge
Your walking trail will take you through a succession of delightful isolated villages built from dry local stone with slate roofs including Fontan, a village with an architectural style, unique in the region. Then walk or shuttle bus to Saorge a fascinating and charming village clinging to the steep mountain sides. Dinner and night at guest house in Saorge. Up to + 600 m /- 700 m, 5h30
Day 4: Saorge- Breil sur Roya
Discover the alleyways of Saorge, the most beautiful perched village of the region with its historic baroque monestary and chapel. Your trail to Breil sur Roya follows the " salt trail ". This is a short and beautiful section with some steeper sections. At Breil-sur-Roya in the valley bottom, enjoy looking around its lovely historic buildings. + 300m /- 600 m, 4h30
Day 5: Breil sur Roya- Sospel
A beautiful path through delightful landscapes which leads you through the well preserved perched village of Peine Haute, past an isolated chapel surrounded by olive groves and a series of gorges, with one foot in France and the other in Italy. Dinner and night in hotel at Sospel. + 400 m /- 500 m, 5h30
Day 6: Sospel- Sainte Agnès Explore Sospel with the remains of its fortified chateau and cathedral. After, your interesting trail takes you to the hill-top village of Sainte-Agnès, the highest coastal village in Europe at 750m. You also have the choice of reducing the distance by taking a bus service to Castillon. Up to + 510 m /- 250 m, 5h00
Day 7: Sainte Agnès- Menton Today you ' ll arrive at the historic old town of Menton, perched on the slopes above its port. You have the choice of two routes either via the delightful historic villages of Gorbio and Roquebrune before reaching the coast and walking around Cap Martin; or via the hilltop village of Casteller on a balcony trail. + 220 m /- 750 m, 5h30
Day 8: Departure End of holiday after breakfast
♦ Varied walking through a changing landscape from the Mercantour Alps to the Mediterranean coast
♦ Beautiful perched alpine villages, with a rich historic and cultural heritage with origins in their Italian past
♦ Picturesque valleys under an azur blue sky
♦ Dip your feet in the Mediterranean Sea at the end of your walk
At a Glance
GUIDED / INDEPENDENT Price: Grade:
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Dates: April- June, Sept- Oct or
Accommodation
Price P / P See Price List or Web Site for details
Walking Profile
6 days walking moving between guest houses. This holiday takes place in upland or mountainous areas. The paths are well maintained. They pass through a range of types of terrain underfoot. The walking days average about 5hrs 30. Maximum amount of ascent in a day is 860m, although this can be reduced by taking public transport, average is 500m. In general the walking days become easier as the holiday progresses This holiday would be suitable for those walkers used to mountain walking, as well as those more occasional walkers in good health and fitness.
7 nights in 2 star hotels and small guest houses in double / twin en-suite rooms. A mix of styles of hotels. Evening meals in hotels serving tasty local cuisine.
Holiday Profile
What’ s Included
Starts every day of week 7 nights: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses.
7 nights Full Board accommodation( except dinner in Menton). Full walking notes and maps, cultural guidebook, transport of luggage between guest houses.
What’ s not included
Travel to St Dalmas de Tende, France( accessible by train) and from Menton; drinks with meals, final evening meal, train transfers, any excursions or entrance fees, travel insurance
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