Fully supported hiking expedition in the Maritime Alps of Italy.
This holiday offers a wonder opportunity to 'escape' the daily routine for a few days and get away to the unspoilt and 'wild' regions of the southern Alps, crossing the Maritime Alps and a 2000m high rock plateau some 25 kilometres across.
Let us take you into the ‘lesser known worlds’ of the Riviera coast and mountains. These are the pretty much untrodden areas of the Ligurian and Maritime Alps.
Ideal: For those who like to have adventure, excitement and to feel a strong sense of discovery. This is a chance to get off the beaten track and see the remote, wild and most sparsely populated areas of the Maritime Alps - nature at it’s best for those who don’t mind leaving 'civilisation' behind for a few of days. This expedition, under a meticulously well planned and organised framework of passive support and organisation, allows participants to maintain their independence and hike safely in what is very much a wild and mountainous terrain.
What's included | 5 nights HB accommodation |> maps |> 4x4 support vehicle |> mountain guide throughout the 4-day expedition |> expedition schedule with full route notes |> 5 evening meals and breakfasts |> 4 picnic lunches |> daily luggage and equipment transfers |> transfers from Taggia and back to Ventimiglia at the end of the hike. Accommodation: 2 nights in 3-Star hotel at the start and end of the expedition - 2 nights in fully serviced mountain lodges - 1 night 'comfort' camping in the grounds of a mountain refuge at 2000m during the expedition, with equipment, toilets and showers - evening dinner in the restaurants of the hotels, lodges and mountain refuges, serving excellent local dishes.
What's NOT included - Flights, Transfers between airports and start and end points (return tickets cost around 25 euros per person from Nice and 30 euros per person from Genoa).
Request  or email  or call +44
(0)845 0944 669
| old military trails & fortresses # high mountain traverse of the Maritime Alps # 18km/day 4-day expedition along an ancient salt trading route. # 70km over 4 hiking days # 2000m high hiking # remote Alpine wilderness |
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TRIP DETAILS
Day 1: TRANSFER DAY, to the Ponente Riviera.
Expedition itinerary starts at Taggia railway station in Italy where we meet you and take you by road transport to your overnight hotel accommodation in a medieval town famed for it's history of witches. For those flying to Nice: bus from airport to Nice Ville main railway station, train to Ventimiglia then on to Taggia - allow 2 hours travel time between airport and Taggia. For those flying to Genoa: bus from airport to Genova main railway station, train to Taggia - allow 3h30 hrs travel time between airport and Taggia. View photos of where you'll be staying on your first night.
Day 2: EXPEDITION DAY 1.
7 hrs | 18kms | 1850m total ascent | Graded: RED.
Leaving after breakfast, the trail climbs up through the dense deciduous forests to an old mountain refuge, the trees start to thin out, and we are able to pause for a break and to wonder at the views leading back down to the mediterranean sea. Following the old abandoned dirt roads under the peaks bordering France, you'll make the long steady climb up the 'wall' - an alpine ridge which acts as a barrier between cold northern winds and the mild mediterranean climate along the coast. At Il Redentore, the statue of Christ at over 2000m, the trail leaves the peaks and follows a ski piste all the way down to the resort village of Monesi, with the towering peaks of southern Piemonte up ahead. Overnight in a mountain lodge.
Our Comment: From medieval villages to the roof of the Ligurian Alps, with spectacular views over the lush valleys down to the coast - you can see Corsica and even Elba on a dry, clear day.
View photos taken during day 1 of this 4 day hike.
Day 3: EXPEDITION DAY 2.
7 hrs | 18kms | 1035m total ascent | Graded: RED.
Departing from the rustic lodge in the mountains, we leave this 'last town' before the wilderness and begin a 2-day hike across a remote and uninhabited mountain paradise. Lunch is followed by a walk to the base camp of one of the highest peaks in the region, with magnificent views to the west over France and to the east over Italy. Arrive at the end of the day's hike to find your tents and equipment already set-up and ready for you. Overnight 'comfort' camping with dinner taken in a mountain refuge. View the night sky like never before from this 2100m plateau.
Our Comment: An long and strenuous ascent into the higher Alps and the 'gateway' to the Maritime Alps - very much a hike into the 'wilderness' and a day to remember.
View photos taken during day 2 of this 4 day hike.
Day 4: EXPEDITION DAY 3.
7 hrs | 19kms | 780m total ascent | Graded: RED.
An early start for what will be a 'classic' crossing of a rocky Alpine massif. Today, most of our journey will be above 2000m and the trail is rough and wild. Passing under peaks reaching almost 3000m whilst straddling the Italian / French border, we follow the high trails to a crumbling fortress in one of the more strategic areas of these Maritime Alps. At an altitude of over 2000m, you can take a walk and admire the late afternoon sun casting shadows around this old military stronghold high in an Alpine wilderness. Heading west, we continue over a few more passes before finally reaching our retreat for the night. Overnight staying in a mountain lodge.
Our Comment: A hike through a truly magnificent area of wild mountain terrain, traversing a 2000m plateau that is free from snow just 3 months of the year - a photographers' mountain paradise.
View photos taken during day 3 of this 4 day hike.
Day 5: EXPEDITION DAY 4.
5 hrs | 15kms | 420m total ascent | Graded: RED.
Up early and up over our first pass of the day, overlooked by more ancient fortifications built during the power struggles of a bygone age. Down into France and the valley below, we relax a little with a stroll along an alpine stream. After passing some Alpine lakes, it's time for lunch before the long descent down through the pine forests to the medieval village of Tende. Time to walk the maze of old cobbled street before we all take the train to the coast at Ventimiglia where the expedition ends. Overnight staying in a 3-Star hotel next to the sea.
Our Comment: Few hiking routes take you through such varied terrain, landscapes and vegetation - across one of the few remaining Alpine wildernesses. A hike that makes you feel like an explorer.
View photos taken during day 4 of this 4 day hike.
Day 7: TRANSFER DAY, from the Ponente Riviera.
For those flying from Nice: train from Ventimiglia to Nice Ville main railway station, then bus to the airport - allow 2 hrs travel time between Ventimiglia and airport. For those flying from Genoa: train from Ventimiglia to Genova main railway station, then bus to the airport - allow 4 hrs travel time between Ventimiglia and airport and arrange flights to depart no earlier than mid-afternoon to avoid an early start before breakfast.
Download our hiking expedition wallpaper for your PC.
Extend your stay Extend your trip Stay an extra night to enjoy a day of guided walking in the magnificent Valle delle Meraviglie. High alpine lakes above 2000m and snow-capped peaks. One of those places that offers almost everything you'd like to see in an idyllic mountain landscape. Add €130 to holiday price.
[1] Prices, in euros, based on 2 people sharing a double room, otherwise a single supplement applies.
[2] Your accommodation on the first and last nights of this holiday will be in 3-Star hotels, whereas during the hiking expedition you will be spend 2 nights in mountain lodges and 1 night in personal tents provided for you in the grounds of a mountain refuge with full use of services.
[3] Accommodation throughout the expedition is on a full-board basis with local specialities of the area served in the evenings and picnic lunches during the days.
[4] All camping equipment will be provided including air-mattress (you should bring your own sleeping bag).
[5] You should be reasonably fit and able to hike for a full day with ascents and descents. Itineraries are subject to change depending on local weather and mountain conditions. Lunch on transfer days and evening meals are not included.
[6] This expedition runs once a month during July, August and September when the old military roads are clear of snow. Since much of this expedition is above 2000m, the trails are pretty much under snow for the rest of the year. Specific dates will be dependent on the preferences of those clients making individual bookings. This expedition can be booked by individuals, couples and groups - we require a minimum of 8 people for this expedition to go ahead. For group bookings of 8 people or more, you are free to choose specific dates for which we will run this expedition exclusively for that group.
To book:
Check  or email or call +44 (0)845 0944 669
NOTE:
1. Prices in 'euros' and based on 2 people sharing a double room,
otherwise a single supplement applies.
2. Flights not included unless
specified.
3. If you have particularly beautiful photographs of
this area showing it's true character and atmosphere, please forward them to us
for inclusion on our site - photos@xtrallusion.com
4. If you are the owner of charming
holiday accommodation in a special location, whether it be a
hotel, B&B, 'albergo', 'agriturismo' or self-catered apartments
- send us an email with details and we'll consider adding it
to our list - web@xtrallusion.com
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