Trekking the Giants' Trail: Alta Via 1 through the Italian Pennine Alps

Author: Andy Hodges
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783628081
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 225

Book Description
Italy's Alta Via 1, a 180km trail through the Italian Alps following the northern flank of the Aosta Valley, boasts magnificent views of the Alpine giants: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Grand Combin and Monte Rosa. Indeed, it is sometimes known as the Giants' Trail and can be combined with a sister-route, the Alta Via 2 (covered in a separate Cicerone guide), which runs along the southern flank of the valley, to form the Tor des Géants. Stretching from Donnas to Courmayeur, the Alta Via 1 offers fantastic alpine walking, with welcoming refuges and small hotels providing overnight accommodation (and great food) along the way. The guide presents the route in two sections, for the advantage of those who can't spare the full fortnight-plus needed to walk the entire AV1. The trail is described in 16 stages, with alternative stages covering some popular variants, including an optional detour to visit the famed monastery at the Great St Bernard Pass. Each stage includes clear route description and mapping, plus notes on local points of interest and accommodation options. An alternative itinerary, list of useful contacts, kitlist and glossary can be found in the appendices. The AV1 crosses cols of nearly 3000m as it traverses the side-valleys of the main Aosta Valley. Suited to those with some of experience of alpine trekking, the walking is demanding but without technical difficulty. And the rewards are many: quieter huts, breathtaking vistas and a chance to immerse yourself in fabulous mountain landscapes overlooked by soaring, snow-clad giants.

Trekking the Cathar Way

Author: Luke Smith
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783628871
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Book Description
Two of the southernmost départements of France, the Pyrénées-Orientales and Ariège are inextricably linked with the history of the Cathars, a heretical Christian sect who were subjected to a crusade in the thirteenth century. Striking castles built on jagged rocky precipices are a highlight of the region and a reminder of those turbulent times. This guidebook describes the 260km Cathar Way (Sentier Cathare or GR367), a long-distance trail from Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast to Ariége's departmental capital Foix linking several of the impressive Cathar castles. The route follows ancient footpaths, jeep tracks and country lanes and calls for a moderate level of fitness as it sweeps from sea level to 1300m across the rugged hill ranges of the Corbières and Fenouillèdes. The guide describes the main route in 13 stages and also includes the slightly more direct north variant, as well as suggestions for shorter itineraries. Summary statistics introduce each day's walking and are followed by step-by-step route description illustrated with clear mapping. There are also details of facilities available en route and accommodation listings. An introduction covers all the practicalities, with comprehensive advice for planning your trip - including when to go, how to get there and what to take - in addition to a wealth of information about the region's fascinating history and the intriguing Cathars themselves. The trail traverses rocky hills and meanders through woodland, vineyards, ancient villages, gorges and plateaus. As well as the rich Cathar heritage, there are also historic wine-producing towns, sites associated with the French Resistance of WWII and mysterious places steeped in ancient legend. The guide is a perfect companion to discovering the Cathar Way and the captivating stories of this distinctive region.

Walking the Ribble Way

Author: Dennis Kelsall
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783629452
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 115

Book Description
Guidebook to walking the Ribble Way, a 72 mile route following the Ribble valley, from the estuary mouth near Preston to the river's source on Cam Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. The book contains OS map extracts and full route description split into 7 convenient stages, with suggestions for day walkers.

Trekking the Cami dels Bons Homes

Author: Nike Werstroh
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1787651320
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 123

Book Description
A guidebook to walking the Cami dels Bons Homes (GR107), from Foix in France to Berga in Catalonia. Covering 225km (140 miles), this long-distance hike follows a Cathar trail through the French and Spanish Pyrenees. Some sections of the trail are long and somewhat demanding, so a reasonable level of fitness is required for the trek. The route is described from north to south in 10 stages, each between 16 and 36km (10–22 miles) in length. GPX files available to download 1:100,000 maps included for each stage Handy stage facilities planner that highlights information about accommodation, facilities and public transport along the route Advice on planning and preparation

Walking The Cumbria Way

Author: John Gillham
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783629134
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 137

Book Description
A guidebook to the Cumbria Way, a 73-mile long distance path through the heart of the English Lake District from Ulverston to Carlisle. The route is largely low-level, but this book also describes alternative mountain days which add the Coniston Fells, Glaramara and Skiddaw en route. The guide divides the route into 5 stages of between 12 and 16 miles, but there is plenty of opportunity to plan your itinerary for a more easy-going 7 to 8 days. This guidebook also provides useful information for every stage, from accommodation to available facilities en route, as well as an annotated OS map and details on points of interest.

Short Walks in Dumfries and Galloway

Author: Ronald Turnbull
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1787650367
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 134

Book Description
Ronald Turnbull has chosen 15 of the best short walks around Dumfries and Galloway for you to explore. Our guide comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps and clear route descriptions, perfect if you're new to walking or are looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. We've included information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops, and most of the walks can be completed in under 4 hours. We haven't included any walks with challenging terrain or complicated navigation, and all you'll need to take with you are a waterproof jacket and a pair of comfortable trainers.

Walking in Torridon, Fisherfield, Fannichs and An Teallach

Author: Chris Townsend
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783629177
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 217

Book Description
Guide to 50 walks and easy scrambles in north-western Scotland, covering Southern Torridon, Northern Torridon, Letterewe and Fisherfield, and the Fannichs. Ascents of 27 Munros, 20 Corbetts and 14 Grahams are included, with highlights including Liathach, Beinn Eighe, Beinn Alligin, An Teallach and Slioch. The walks are suitable for those with good navigation skills who are competent in a mountain environment. All the walks in the guide are graded, with summary statistics provided, and each includes clear route description and mapping. There's also a route summary table to help with choosing appropriate walks. Background information on local geology, wildlife and history, and planning details on when to go, where to stay and what to take are included to make the most out of any trip to Torridon. The region boasts spectacular and distinctive landscapes and breathtaking views. Steep-sided rocky mountains rise above long winding lochs, both freshwater and sea. From the hills there are vast panoramas out across the sea to the Hebrides and of mountains stretching out to the north, south and east. This is a land for those who love open spaces, vast horizons, and the domination of nature.

Everest: A Trekker's Guide

Author: Radek Kucharski
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783629622
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 380

Book Description
Everest has an eternal appeal for mountain lovers and the classic trek to Everest Base Camp is high on the bucket-list of many trekkers. This guidebook covers the most popular route in the Khumbu Valley, from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the best viewpoint for Everest. It also describes the classic route from Jiri to Lukla taken by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, as well as a trek north to Gokyo with its spectacular lakes and the peak of Gokyo Ri. Finally, the Three Passes Trek, also starting in Namche, links the region's major passes and valleys. The guidebook includes suggestions for side trips and time spent in Namche Bazaar, Pangboche, Dingboche and Gokyo, as well as one trek approaching Everest from Tibet – from Kharta to the Kangshung Face. It is packed with essential advice on trekking in the Himalayas, including planning and preparation, trekking formalities, health and acclimatisation, as well as notes on culture and the fascinating history of the region, making this a complete guide to exploring the area.

The Camino Portugues

Author: Kat Davis
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1787650464
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 393

Book Description
A guidebook to walking the Camino Portugues (Portuguese Way), 620km from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The book gives stage-by-stage directions for the Central Camino, starting from Lisbon, Porto or Tui, the Coastal Camino between Porto and Redondela, and the Spiritual Variant route from Pontevedra to Padrón. It also describes link routes that can be used to swap from one route to another. Detailed route guidance and maps are accompanied by fascinating information about historic and religious sites passed along the way. It is packed with essential information for pilgrims, with advice on getting there, when to go, where to stay and equipment. An indispensable facilities table showing the availability of accommodation, refreshments, supermarkets, ATMs and pharmacies along the route, and a handy glossary, make this the complete guide to the Camino. Since 1211 Santiago de Compostela has been a place of holy pilgrimage and the Camino Portugués is the second most travelled pilgrim route. The largely rural journey takes in four UNESCO World Heritage Areas - the Knights Templar Castle at Tomar, Portugal's oldest University at Coimbra, and the old towns of Porto and Santiago - culminating at the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.

Walking the Severn Way

Author: Terry Marsh
Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited
ISBN: 1783629584
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 234

Book Description
This guidebook offers all the information walkers need to enjoy the 344km (215 miles) of the Severn Way. Beginning at the River Severn's source in Powys, mid-Wales, the route follows the entire Severn Valley, meandering through many superb landscapes and interesting towns and villages before finishing near Bristol, in south-west England. The step-by-step route description is divided into four county sections, accompanied by OS map extracts and packed with historical and geographical information about the places along the way. Also includes a route to the source of the river via Plynlimon and a link route from Severn Beach back to Bristol at the end. The River Severn pulls together threads of history, trade, commerce, civil war and the lives of ordinary folk to produce a tapestry that is finely woven and rich in colour. That walkers should want to trace its course, its many twists and turns, is hardly surprising, not least because of its capacity to offer countless challenges and plentiful delights. Walking the Severn Way is a chance to get away from it all and relax without having to resort to distant mountain regions.