Cicerone

This guidebook describes in full the 735km Via Podiensis (GR65), a historic pilgrimage route through southern France from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where the trail meets the famous Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Also detailed are 2 major variants: the Cele Valley (GR651) and Rocamadour (GR6 and GR46). Split into 28 stages, the full route takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete but can be divided into shorter sections - Figeac and Condom are well positioned to break the walk into three 2-week chunks.

It can be adapted to suit all abilities, with regularly spaced accommodation and baggage transport available, and is best walked in spring and autumn, with May and September the most popular months. Abundant accommodation options offer a warm welcome to walkers and pilgrims and a chance to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals made with local ingredients. Walking directions are accompanied by 1;100,000 maps showing the route line and the facilities available at different locations.

Accommodation listings provide invaluable information on where to stay. There are useful town maps for Cahors, Condom, Figeac, Le Puy, Moissac and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and a stage planning table listing intermediate distances between accommodation means the schedule can be easily customised to individual requirements. The Via Podiensis leads pilgrims and walkers through the best of French village life, offering a unique combination of pleasant trails, quaint historic communities and cultural delights.

It passes through charming Estaing, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Lauzerte, and visits pilgrim shrines including Conques and Rocamadour. Pilgrims carrying on to Santiago can either proceed directly from Saint-Jean on the Camino Frances or transition (via the GR10) over to the Camino del Norte - a skeletal outline of the routes linking Saint-Jean and Irun, Spain, is included in the guidebook.

• Forfatter: Dave Whitson
• Publisert: Juli 2022
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786311023

This guidebook shows the vast range of activities available in the mountains surrounding Chamonix. With routes for several different pursuits including walking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, via ferratas, rock climbing, mountaineering and bouldering, it is a comprehensive collection of everything this popular region has to offer. All the routes and activities range in difficulty, from easy strolls for all abilities to moderate rock climbs and glacier hikes, which require either technical skills or a professional guide.

Families, groups of friends and mountaineers looking for a 'rest day' or a change to what they're used to will all find something to whet their appetites here. Chamonix has long been a dream destination for mountain adventures and its environment is ideal for such a varied list of activities. This guide allows you to enjoy its spectacular views and renowned summits in many different ways or by mixing and matching your favourites.

• Forfatter: Hilary Sharp
• Publisert: Nov. 2022
• Utgave: 3. utgave
• Antall sider: 288
  
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781852846633

This guidebook describes the classic GR20 trek, a north-to-south traverse of the rugged mountains of Corsica, renowned as Europe's toughest GR long-distance route. Described in 16 stages, some with high and low-level alternatives, the route is roughly 190km in length and takes approximately two weeks to complete. The GR20 climbs high into the mountains.

It is a demanding trek suitable only for experienced walkers, and there are several steep 'hands-on-rock' sections calling for a sure foot and a good head for heights. It is possible to stay under a roof every night but many trekkers opt to camp. Step-by-step descriptions of each stage are accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping, together with information on ascent/descent, terrain and the availability of food, water and accommodation/shelter.

There is also invaluable practical information such as path conditions, what to take, and getting to/from and around Corsica. Overviews of the history and geology of the island and local plants and wildlife are offered to enhance the trekking experience. Finally, a separate map booklet, included with the guide, provides all the 1:25,000 IGN mapping needed to complete the GR20.

Starting in Corsica's northwest, in picturesque Calinzana, the route winds southeast through the heart of the island, finishing on the eastern side, just north of Porto Vecchio in the township of Conca. It showcases Corsica's rich diversity of landscapes and ethereal beauty. Bare rock and sheer cliffs contrast with black sand beaches, alpine pastures, maquis and pockets of forest.

• Utgitt: Jun 2022
• Utgave: 5. utgave
• Antall sider: 272
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786310675

This guidebook describes a 240km cycle ride along the length of the Canal du Midi in southern France. Starting at Toulouse in the Haute Garonne and finishing at Sete on the Mediterranean Coast, the route is divided into five stages of about 50km. It is a flat, car-free and picturesque route mainly on the towpath, and is suitable for all abilities.

The guide is written for those who want to explore the canal and visit attractions along the way. There are lots of optional detours to sites of interest near the canal, as well as six longer excursions including fortified Carcassone, Roman Narbonne, Vendres lagoon and the Portiragnes marshes. Detailed route descriptions are crammed with additional information about points of interest passed, and 1:200,000 scale maps clearly show the route for each stage of the way.

Begun in 1666 the Canal du Midi is one of the world's most picturesque waterways and a World Heritage Site. This is 'La France Profonde', a region rich in history and culture, as seen in the grand homes and chateaux that grace the water's edge, and the fascinating Cathar strongholds of Carcassone, Lastours and Minerve.

• Forfatter: Declan Lyons
• Publisert: Mai 2022
• Utgave: 2. utgave
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• Antall sider: 192

A guidebook to cycling the 720km (447 mile) Route des Grandes Alpes through southern France. This long-distance cycle between Lake Geneva and Nice on the Mediterranean coast is suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists and can be cycled in 1-2 weeks. Presented in 14 stages between 31-75km (20-46 miles)6 routes variants are also describedRoute takes in 17 major climbs, including the famous Col de l'Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), the Col du Galibier and the Col d'IzoardRoute passes through Vanoise, the Écrins and the Mercantour national parksOvernight stops include Thonon-les-Bains, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d'Isère, Briançon, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, SospelPerfect for cycling late Spring through early autumn.

1:150,000 mapping and profiles are included for each route. GPX files available to download. Detailed information on preparation, equipment and accommodation.

• Forfatter: Giles Belbin
• Publisert: 2022
• Antall sider: 192
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786310545

This comprehensive guidebook to EuroVelo route 15 offers a detailed stage-by-stage description of the 1370km route along the Rhine, one of Europe's great rivers, passing through six countries on its way from Switzerland to the North Sea. The cycling is easy, downhill and along dedicated cycle lanes, the countries visited are very cycle-friendly and the waymarking is excellent. The whole trip can be completed in two weeks by a fit cyclist.

The guide includes plenty of information to help you plan your trip, with advice on travel, accommodation and facilities. The full route is presented in 27 stages of 32-69km, with step-by-step route description, 1:100,000 mapping and notes on local points of interest. A facilities table, glossary and list of useful contacts can be found in the appendices.

Starting in the Swiss Alps with high mountains, deep glacial valleys and gorges, it soon reaches Europe's third largest lake, the Bodensee, and its greatest mainland waterfall. After Basel, the Rhine becomes a broad river, now the world's busiest river trading artery. The middle Rhine, between Bingen and Koblenz, forces its way through the narrow rocky Rhine gorge, lined by romantic castles perched above Germany's finest vineyards.

• Forfatter: Mike Wells
• Publisert: 2022
• Utgave: 4. utgave
• Antall sider: 306
  
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786311092

With spectacular mountain landscapes, beautiful rugged coast, forests, maquis and striking river gorges, Corsica is a walker's paradise. This guidebook details five of the islands's most popular shorter treks: the 2-day coastal Sentier du Douanier (Customs Officer's Path) around Cap Corse; two coast-to-coast routes through the central mountains, the 11-day Mare a Mare Nord and the 5-day Mare a Mare Sud; and two 'coast and mountains' routes, the 10-day Mare e Monti and the 5-day Mare e Monti Sud. (Corsica's famous 190km GR20 trail is described in a separate Cicerone guide.) The routes can be linked to create longer excursions and accommodation is provided by a mixture of walkers' hostels, B&Bs and hotels; camping is also an option.

The guide presents each of the waymarked trails in daily stages averaging around 12-13km per day, with route description, mapping and notes on accommodation options. There is advice on how to get to Corsica, when to go and what to take, plus accommodation listings, useful contacts and a French/Corsican-English glossary. The guide also offers a wealth of information about the island's rich plant and wildlife.

Considerably easier than the challenging GR20, these trails offer a more accessible option for trekkers wishing to experience the 'real' Corsica, away from the bustling coastal resorts. You'll find enchanting scenery - towering forests, gushing cascades, turquoise coves, aromatic maquis, rugged mountains and quiet villages nestling on hillsides of chestnut woods - not to mention a favourable climate and delicious local cuisine. Don't be surprised if you fall under the island's spell!

• Forfatter: Gillian Price
• Publisert: Mars 2021
• Antall sider: 192
• ISBN: 9781786310590

Guidebook to the GR10, a 955km trek across the French Pyrenees from Hendaye on the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterranean coast at Banyuls-sur-Mer. Described in 55-day stages of 7-27km, the route can be completed in its entirety, usually in around 45 days, or in shorter sections using the bus and rail links found throughout the Pyrenees. Step by step route descriptions are accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping and gradient profiles.

Useful practical information is also included such as when to go, getting there and back, camping, accessing fuel and water, plus handy equipment tips and more. The easiest, oldest and most popular of the three long-distance routes that traverse the mountain range, the GR10 is well waymarked and follows good mountain paths. For many walkers, the highlight of the route is the magnificent wildflowers and associated butterflies.

For others, it's the spectacular mountain terrain, while those keen on bird watching will delight in scanning the sky for the many varieties of birds of prey that can be seen in the region, from the massive Griffon vulture to the distinctly coloured Egyptian vulture.

• Forfattere: Brian Johnson og Stuart Butler
• Publisert: 2023
• Utgave: 2. utgave
• Antall sider: 320
  
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786311160

This comprehensive guidebook describes the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago) pilgrim route through France. Also known as the Chemin de St Jacques or GR65, the 730km (454 mile) route runs from Le Puy-en-Velay in central France to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees. People have been walking it as a pilgrimage route for over 1000 years, and with adequate preparation it is suitable for most walkers with a basic level of fitness.

This indispensible guide contains detailed descriptions and sketch mapping for the route, accompanied by a wealth of practical advice on accommodation, facilities and local points of interest. It also includes information about the history of the pilgrimage, and notes on holy sites and imagery along the route. The guidebook describes 2-3 additional days from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncevalles (and Pamplona), for those continuing along the Camino Frances through northern Spain.

It also outlines a 3-4 day route from Saint-Palais direct to Irun, which links with the Camino del Norte coastal route. A companion volume: The Way of St James: Pyrenees-Santiago-Finisterre covers the Spanish section of the route.

• Forfatter: Alison Raju
• Publisert: Februar 2018
• Utgave: 3. utgave
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• Antall sider: 208
• ISBN: 9781852848767

A guidebook to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The 225km Walker's Haute Route through the French and Swiss Alps crosses 11 passes, gains more than 14,000m in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. The high-level route is described in 14 day stages, with optional variants, and is suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness and some previous alpine trekking experience.

Alongside clear route descriptions and mapping for each stage of the trek, there is essential practical information on travel to Chamonix and return from Zermatt, as well as advice on accommodation in alpine villages and mountain refuges, trekking safety, equipment, itinerary planning and preparation. Taking 2 weeks to complete, this challenging but rewarding trek encompasses views of the greatest collection of 4000m peaks in the Alps - Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, Weisshorn and the Matterhorn - and visits some of the most spectacular valleys, including the Val d'Herens, Val d'Annivers and the Mattertal.

• Forfatter: Kev Reynolds
• Publisert: Juli 2022
• Utgave: 7. utgave
• Antall sider: 252
  
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781786311382

Guidebook to a 687km (427 mile) trek through eastern France, traversing the Vosges and the Haut-Jura plateau. The route follows the GR53 from Wissembourg to Schirmeck, before picking up the central section of the GR5 from Schirmeck to Nyon on Lake Geneva, taking in wooded and grassy hills, river gorges and fascinating castle ruins.

• Publisert: April 2017
• Antall sider: 208
• Innbinding: Heftet
• ISBN: 9781852848125

Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Travels with a donkey in the Cevennes' is a classic of travel literature. The GR70 long-distance trail is based on the author's route, allowing walkers to follow in the footsteps of Stevenson and his four-legged companion Modestine through the beautiful Cevennes region on the edge of France's Massif Central. The route is ideal for both first-time trekkers and more experienced hikers, covering around 272km of gently undulating countryside from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Ales.

It can be completed in under a fortnight. The trail is presented in 12 stages of 16 to 30km, each with clear route description and mapping, an elevation profile, notes on local points of interest and a brief account of Robert Louis Stevenson's experiences on that section of the route. There is useful advice for planning your trip - including when to go, what to take and how to get there - and accommodation listings.

Following drove roads, bridleways and footpaths, the GR70 showcases the landscapes of the Cevennes: wildflower meadows, rolling hills, chestnut woods, limestone gorges and meandering rivers. Characterful villages provide accommodation and other services and offer an opportunity to sample the delicious local produce. There are also glimpses into the region's fascinating history, from pre-historic burial sites to locations associated with the eighteenth-century Protestant Camisards who resisted religious persecution.

While many things have undoubtedly changed since Stevenson's visit, the area retains its authentic rural charm and you will soon discover just why Stevenson found it so appealing.

• Publisert: Februar 2021
• Utgave: 3. utgave
• Antall sider: 128
• ISBN: 9781852849184

• Publisert: Juni 2024
• Utgave: 6. utgave
• Antall sider: 240
• ISBN: 9781786312280

Cicerone er en inspirerende og pålitelig aktivitetsguideserie. Inneholder mange detljerte kart og fine foto. Guidene er skrevet av friluftsfolk for friluftsfolk.

The 66 via ferrata routes in this guidebook are grouped by area - Geneva and the Northern Alps, Chambery, the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, Grenoble and Briancon - and run the full gamut of challenge, from very easy, protected routes suitable for children, through to extremely exposed and technical routes for experienced ferratists only. Routes are illustrated by topo diagrams on colour photographs, and simple sketch maps. Those used to the older Italian routes will find these French routes quite different, closer to scrambling or rock climbing and often seeking out the most vertigo-inducing terrain.

But most routes should be within the reach of any strong hillwalker and protection is high and well maintained. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the number of via ferrata routes set up in the iconic mountains of the French Alps. With routes set on or near many classics including the massifs of Mont Blanc, the Vanoise and the Queyras, this guide shows the best of what is now available.

• Forfatter: Richard Miller
  
• Publisert: Januar 2022
• Antall sider: 352
  
• ISBN: 9781852846480

The second edition of this classic guidebook by Kev Reynolds on walking and trekking in the Alps. This book is a definitive guide to the many thousands of possible routes, with a geographical span that ranges from the Maritime Alps of southern France to the Julians of Slovenia, from Italy's Gran Paradiso to the little-known Turnitzer Alps of eastern Austria, and from the ice-bound giants of the Bernese Oberland to the green rolling Kitzbuheler Alps and the bizarre towers of the Dolomites of South Tirol, showing the amazing diversity of this wonderful mountain chain. There are walks to suit every taste: gentle and undemanding, long and tough, and everything in between.

• Forfattere: Kev Reynolds
• Publisert: 2022
• Utgave: 2. utgave
• Antall sider: 494
  
• Innbinding: Heftet
• Språk: Engelsk
• ISBN: 9781852844769