Jolly valleys of mountain joy: trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc from France to Italy

Jolly valleys of mountain joy: trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc from France to Italy

Last year Edita and I hiked the famous GR20 long-distance trail along the spine of mountainous Corsica. It was our first experience of so-called ‘self-guided’ trips, where an operator books your accommodation and luggage transfers, but you make your own way from point to point. We were keen to do another, and there was an obvious one to try next.

Read more

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 4: Sirente-Velino

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 4: Sirente-Velino

Sirente-Velino has only regional park status, but don’t let this put you off. It’s easily the equal of the three surrounding massifs with national park status. There is great variety to be found here, from emerald-green paradise, to bare moonlike landscapes and dramatic cliff faces.

Read more

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 3: Abruzzo National Park

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 3: Abruzzo National Park

Abruzzo National Park is the wildlife capital of the Apennines. Its peaks are slightly lower in altitude and are aproned in forest which are a sanctuary for bears, wolves, lynx, chamois and deer. It is particularly vibrant in autumn, when the peaks rise in a rainbow of colours.

Read more

Monte Marsicano up the back side: 8 summits in one day

Monte Marsicano up the back side: 8 summits in one day

Since climbing Monte Marsicano from the south on one of our first visits to Abruzzo National Park, we’d had in mind to climb the mountain via a longer route from the more remote northern side. This route took in no fewer than 8 Apennine 2,000ers in a single day.

Read more

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 2: Maiella

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 2: Maiella

Maiella is Italy’s equivalent of the Cairngorms, but at a much higher altitude. It’s a huge plateau of multiple summits linked by broad ridges, and divided by deep, mouth-watering gorges. You can walk for miles without dropping below 2,000m.

Read more