Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 19
This hiker’s dream journey brings you from
mighty Mont Blanc, with its eternal glaciers,
to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte
d’Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge
into the blue Mediterranean. Setting off with
sweeping panoramas of
Mont Blanc, we hike in high
alpine meadows where
cowbells echo and blue
gentian blooms, and through
age-old villages that are a
step back in time. Heading
south, we follow the legendary
GR5 trail across remote
national parks of singular
beauty, then enter brightly
colored hill villages that
announce the Mediterranean
is near. Arriving on the coast, we kick off
our hiking boots and head for a celebratory
dip in the sea!
Days 1-7 Megève / Vanoise National Park
Our first hike reveals the splendor of the French
Alps and Mont Blanc, and in the Vanoise, we
follow dramatic trails with views of the glaciated
Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de
la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road
leads us beneath the granite peaks of the Grande
Casse (12,648') to Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with
three gleaming alpine lakes along the way.
Days 8-11 Queyras Regional Park / St.
Martin-Vésubie / Mercantour National Park
In Queyras, one of the most untouched areas
of France, we hike across emerald meadows to
the Col Cross, where mountain sheep roam. A
relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere comes to life
in St. Martin-Vésubie, where men play pétanque
in the square and sip Pastis. Mercantour National
Park, with its tiny perched villages, is the setting
for spectacular and remote hikes with vast views.
Days 12-14 Menton / Nice After exploring the
Vallée des Merveilles, with its Bronze Age rock
art, we follow a trail with views of the sea up to
the Col de Razet, then head to the coast for a
well-earned swim in the Mediterranean. Depart
on Day 14 via Nice.
Each day’s hike reveals new vistas and dramatic changes in the local culture in
this stunning corner of France.
FRANK FELL
HIGHLIGHTS
• Our unique route from the mountains
to the sea through a range of cultures
and landscapes
• Secluded mountain villages and
less-traveled national parks
• Small groups—maximum 7 people!
DETAILS
• 14-day trip begins in Megève and ends
in Nice
• 13 nights charming hotels and inns
• All meals included except 1 lunch and
1 dinner
DATES
Aug 6-19
Aug 20-Sep 2
Sep 3-16
TRIP COST
$6895 (6-7 members)
$7395 (4-5 members)
Single supplement: $660
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12 hiking days on moderate to steep
trails, 5-7 hours a day, altitudes between
6,000-9,200 feet, van support
“I loved it all.
Extraordinary views,
great company,
delicious meals,
cozy inns, and
dramatic scenery.
To end with a
swim in the
Mediterranean
was perfection!”
Cathy C., Sonoma CA