France Hiking/Trekking Guides by Cicerone Press & others

Hiking Guides by Cicerone

We recommend the French IGN 1:25,000 Series Bleu & TOP 25 topographic maps to accompany any of these guides. Some maps, such as the Mont Blanc sheet are works of art in their own right.


Walking in the Alps. Kev Reynolds, 2005. Walking is unquestionably the best method of exploring, and it is the mountain walker for whom journeys in the Alps reveal some of the finest views, the greatest contrasts. 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. A superb guide for helping you choose the hike of your choice and doing the basic planning. One of Cicerone's detailed guides is then recommended for use on the trail.
Ordering Walking in the Alps guide. (Cic.)$39.9566-22951WAGuide

 


The Mountains of Andorra: Walks, scrambles, via ferratas and treks. By Alf Robertson and Jane MEadowcroft. Cicerone Press, UK. The most comprehensive guide to the region, supported by a strong marketing campaign in the outdoor media. Rapidly developing summer tourist destination. To be published alongside Cicerone's guide to the adjacent Cathar region. This is the first complete English-language guide to exploring the mountains of the accessible but mysterious country of Andorra. It is written by an experienced guiding and writing team, and details 60 routes throughout the country. The routes include numerous routes with scrambles and straightforward peaks, plus some via ferratas and the week-long Andorra Circuit trek. Andorra is a rapidly developing walking and summer destination, easily accessible from the UK. Andorra, a tiny nation tucked away between France and Spain, is the country of the Pyrenees. With 80 mountain lakes and a host of elegant peaks the principality offers a breathtaking range of walks in a compact area. With inexpensive accommodation, an excellent bus service, adequate maps and cheap food, it is an inviting destination.
Ordering (Spain) Mountains of Andorra$22.9965-32961ANGuide

 

Cycling the Canal du Midi guide
Cycling the Canal du Midi. Cicerone, 2009. A guide to cycling the Canal du Midi in the Languedoc, France. A UNESCO World Heritage Site the canal meanders through lush countryside rich in history and offers flat, car-free paths and excursions to the nearby hills. Ideal for anyone planning a cycling holiday, locals wanting to explore or canal travellers needing to stretch their legs.
Sample route map
Sample photograph
Sketch map showing the entire route
Ordering (France) Cycling the Canal du Midi$24.9564-56981CCguidebook.
Recommended Maps
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #168$13.9964-5652-168France 1:100,000 topo #168.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #169$13.9964-5652-169France 1:100,000 topo #169.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #174$13.9964-5652-174France 1:100,000 topo #174.

 

Walking in the Queyras guide
Walks in the Cathar Region - Cathar castles of south-west France. Cicerone, 2005. This guidebook has over 30 walking routes around the Cathar castles of south-west France. The Cathar castles are the visible remains of the long religious rebellions from 1000-1250. Routes from 16 centres, including Béziers, Minerve, Lastours, Foix, Roquefixade, Lordat, Montailloe, Puivert, Montségur, Usson, Puilaurens, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Villerouge-Ternenes, Rennes and the Pech de Bugarach. The author recommends 10 France 1:25,000 topo maps to accompany the guidebook. These 10 maps are listed below.
Sample route map
Sample photograph
Sketch map showing the entire route
Ordering (France) Walks in the Cathar$19.9564-56981CBguidebook.
Recommended Maps
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2147ET$19.9964-5648-2147ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #147ET.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2148ET$19.9964-5648-2148ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #2148ET.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2247OT$19.9964-5648-2247OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #2247OT.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2248ET$19.9964-5648-2248ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #2248ET.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2345E$19.9964-5648-2345EFrance 1:25,000 topo #2345E.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2347OT$19.9964-5648-2347OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #2347OT.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2444ET$19.9964-5648-2444ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #2444ET.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2446O$19.9964-5648-2446OFrance 1:25,000 topo #2446O.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2447OT$19.9964-5648-2447OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #2447OT.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2545ET$19.9964-5648-2545ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #2545ETT.

 


Chamonix to Zermatt: 'The Walkers Haute Route'. By Kev Reynolds. Chamonix to Zermatt, Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn- in two weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys. You will discover delightful villages and remote hamlets, wander flower meadows and forests, skirt exquisite tarns that turn mountains on their heads, and clamber beside glaciers. The way intrudes on lonely stone-filled corries, with marmots along the boulders and ibex on the heights, and provides a surprise around every corner. The route is more than 180 kilometres long. It crosses 11 passes, gains more than 12,000 metres in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. This new edition includes the exciting two-day Europaweg - a true high-level path that carries the Haute Route way above the Mattertal and into Zermatt - a worthy conclusion to a great trek. 188 pages, laminated cover. Two maps are recommended to accompany this guide, these are listed below.
Ordering (France) Chamonix to Zermatt:$24.9564-56981CHGuide
Recommended Maps (with trails highlighted in red):
Ordering Switz. 1:50,000 hiking. #273T$29.9965-39530-273TSwiss 1:50,000 hiking/topo #273T - Montana.    
Ordering Switz. 1:50,000 hiking. #274T$29.9965-39530-274TSwiss 1:50,000 hiking/topo #274T - Visp.    
Ordering Switz. 1:50,000 hiking #282T$29.9965-39530-282TSwiss 1:50,000 hiking/topo #282T - Martigny.    
Ordering Switz. 1:50,000 hiking. #283T$29.9965-39530-283TSwiss 1:50,000 hiking/topo #283T - Arolla.    
Ordering Switz. 1:50,000 hiking. #284T$29.9965-39530-284TSwiss 1:50,000 hiking/topo #284T - Mischabel.    
Or the 1:50,000 "special format" sheets (without trails highligted in red):
Ordering SW-1:50,000 topo #5003$34.9965-3952-5003Mt. Blanc - Grand Combin. 1:50,000 topo #5003.
Ordering Switz--1:50,000 topo #5006$34.9965-3952-5006Matterhorn-Mischabel. 1:50,000 topo #5006.

 


GR20 Corsica: The High Level Route. By Paddy Dillon. Corsica's GR 20 remains one of Europe's greatest treks. Here Paddy Dillon has gathered together in a totally new guide the critical information for a successful trek. This includes: how to get started and what to take, the best time to go, sketch maps for each stage, details of facilities on and off the route, peaks that can readily be incorporated into a full exploration of the island, as well as a crystal clear route description. He has brought this tough and marvellous route to life in a book that will inspire as well as inform. The author recommends six maps to accompany the guide; these are listed below.
Ordering (France) GR20 Corsica High Level$28.9564-56981COGuide
Recommended Maps
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4149OT$19.9964-5648-4149OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #4149OT Calvi - Cirque de Bonifatu.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4250OT$19.9964-5648-4250OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #4250OT Corte - Monte Cinto.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4251OT$19.9964-5648-4251OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #4251OT Monte d'Oro - Monte Rotondo.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4252OT$19.9964-5648-4252OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #4252OT Monte Renoso - Bastelica.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4253OT$19.9964-5648-4253OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #4253OT Petreto-Bicchisano - Zicavo.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #4253ET$19.9964-5648-4253ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #4253ET Aiguilles de Bavella - Solenzara.

 


The Ecrins National Park guide. Kev Reynolds, 2001. The Écrins National Park contains some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the whole Alpine range. Easily accessible by public transport or car, and with several charming valleys in which to make a base (including the Romanche, Guisane, Vallouise, Valgaudemar and Vénéon valleys), this largest national park in France offers an unrivalled selection of walks - each one revealing awesome views. Kev Reynolds has picked 70 of the best routes from some of the finest valleys, enough to keep any active walker content for several holidays. Located southeast of Grenoble and unequally split between the départements of Isère and Hautes-Alpes, the Parc National des Ecrins is the largest in France, covering an area of 92,000 hectares (227,332 acres), with a peripheral zone nearly twice that size. This is mountain country par excellence, with the highest peaks forming a block at the very heart of the range, and a diverse assortment of valleys surrounding or spreading from it. The author recommends a 1:50,000 map sheet that is now out of print and no longer available. We have listed the preferred 1:50,000 substitute map. The author also notes the six 1:25,000 map sheets that cover the same area, which we have also listed below.
Ordering (France) The Ecrins guide (Cicerone$22.9564-56981ECGuide
Maps:
Ordering (France) Ecrins (A6) hiking map$18.9964-5662-A6A6 - Écrins 1:50,000 topographic map - le Bourg d'Oisans, Briançon,, Parc National des Écrins. With Aravis, Chamonix, Courmayeur. Rando Taride. The map is centered on St. Gervais le Bains and covers an area of about 60 x 45 km. The GR routes are highlighted, including the entire Tour du Mont-Blanc route and the Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3335ET$19.9964-5648-3335ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3335ET L'Alpe d'Huez - Bourg d'Oisan.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3336ET$19.9964-5648-3336ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3336ET Les Deux-Alpes - Olan Muzelle.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3435ET$19.9964-5648-3435ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3435ET Valloire - Aiguilles d'Arves.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3436ET$19.9964-5648-3436ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3436ET Meije - Pelvoux.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3535OT$19.9964-5648-3535OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3535OT Névache - Mont Thabor.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3536OT$19.9964-5648-3536OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3536OT Briançon - Serre-Chevalier.

 


Cycling the French Alps. By Paul Henderson. Cicerone Press, UK. Cycle Touring in the French Alps' presents a personal selection of the most picturesque cycling routes through the mountains of South-east France. The eight tours - seven circuits plus the 'Grand Traverse' from Geneva to Nice - include the 'classic' high passes of the French Alps (Galibier, Iseran, Izoard, etc) as well as many lesser known areas of the pre-Alps and Southern Jura. Although all of the tours are in mountain areas, the scenery - from the rolling hills of the Bugey to the dramatic limestone gorges of the Chartreusesnowy peaks of the Ecrins - is extremely varied. Without neglecting the 'must-see' places, the tours have been designed to take you through the secret corners and forgotten backwaters of the regions described; even amongst the most awe-inspiring mountains, it is often the more discreet facets of the countryside that reveal an area's true charm.
Ordering (France) Cycling the French Alps.$22.9964-56981FCGuide

 


The GR5 Trail: THrough the French Alps, Lake Geneva to Nice. By Paddy Dillon. An essential guidebook for anyone planning to walk the GR5 trail from Lake Geneva to Nice through French Alps. The GR5 is one of the world's most spectacular long-distance trails, yet it is suitable for any moderately experienced hiker or trekker. The route can be walked in a month, or split over a series of summer trips. If you want the french 1:25,000 topographic maps for this hike, the sheet numbers needed are: 3548ET, 3528ET, 3530ET, 3531ET, 3531OT, 3532OT, 3633ET, 3534OT, 3532ET, 3634OT, 3535OT, 3536OT, 3537ET, 3637OT, 3538ET, 3639OT, 3640OT, 3641ET, 3741ET, 3742OT, 3741OT. These can be ordered on our site here. The sheets listed below offer an overview of most sections, but not all, of the route.
Ordering (France) GR5 Trail thru French Alps$22.9564-56981FAGuide
Recommended Maps
Ordering (France) Mont Blanc/Chamonix A-1$18.9964-5662-A1A1 - Pays du Mont Blanc. With Aravis, Chamonix, Courmayeur. The map is centered on St. Gervais le Bains and covers an area of about 60 x 45 km. The GR routes are highlighted, including the entire Tour du Mont-Blanc route and the Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc.
Ordering (France) Beaufortain (A2)$18.9964-5662-A2A2 - Beaufortain. With Albertvielle, Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This map is centred on Bourg Saint Maurice and extends to Courmayeur in the north east (just across the Italian border), to Albertville in the west and to Bozel in the South. GR routes are highlighted.
Ordering (France) Vanoise N.P. (A3) 1:50,000$18.9964-5662-A3A3 - Vanois. This map is centred on the Glaciers de la Vanoise and extends to La Grand Cimarella in the east (just across the Italian border), to Valloire in the south west and to Mont Pourri in the north. GR routes are highlighted.
Ordering (France) Ecrins (A6) hiking map$18.9964-5662-A6A6 - Ecrins. This map is centred on L'Ailefroide peak and extends to Montgenevre in the east, to Corps in the west, to Le Grand Galibier peak in the north and to Orcieres-Merlette in the south. Most of the PN des Ecrins thus falls on the map. GR routes are highlighted.

 


Walking in the Haute Savoie. By Janette Norton. Two guides covering the walking possibilities in the Haute Savoie. Volume 1 covers the region just south of Lake Geneva, across to the Swiss border. Volume 2 covers further south, including Annecy, Megève, and Chamonix. Outside the Chamonix area few books have been written in English concerning the Haute Savoie and the innumerable walking possibilities of the region, which range from the gentle pre-alps south of Lake Geneva (Chablais, Salve and Valle Verte), covered in Vol. 1 to the higher peaks further south, between Annecy and Chamonix covered in Vol. 2. These walking guides also give historical background, descriptions of the different areas the walks start from, plus additional information regarding the towns and villages which can be used as centres. There are chapters concerning how to get there, equipment, walk explanations, flora and fauna.
Sketch map showing areas covered by the two guides.
Ordering (France) Haute Savoi guide, Vol. 1$24.9564-56981HS1Vol. 1 - Haute Savoie - northern part (Evian-Morzine)
Ordering (France) Haute Savoi guide, Vol. 2$24.9564-56981HS2Vol. 2 - Haute Savoie - Southern part (Annecy)
Recommended 1:25,000 Hiking Maps:
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3428ET$19.9964-5648-3428ET#3428ET Thonon - Evian - Lac Léman. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3429ET$19.9964-5648-3429ET#3429ET Bonneville - Cluses. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3430OT$19.9964-5648-3430OT#3430OT Mont Salève. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3430ET$19.9964-5648-3430ET#3430ET La Clusaz - Grand-Bornard. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3431OT$19.9964-5648-3431OT#3431OT Lac d'Annecy. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3528ET$19.9964-5648-3528ET#3528ET Morzine - Massif du Chablais. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3530ET$19.9964-5648-3530ET#3530ET Samoens - Haut Giffre. 1:25,000. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531OT$19.9964-5648-3531OT#3531OT Mégève - Col des Aravis. 1:25,000. France IGN.

 


Tour of Mont Blanc. Kev Reynolds. The Tour of Mont Blanc is one of the best - if not the best - of the world's classic walks. It circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif in about eleven days. The walk has all the excitement of the high mountains yet none of the worry of altitude sickness. It crosses numerous cols with stunning views of spectacular snow and rock peaks. Accommodation along the route is plentiful. The 'official' Tour du Mont Blanc follows an established route around the main block of mountains containing not only Mont Blanc but its principal allied summits such as Verte, Chardonnet, Gouter, Géant, Jorasses, d'Argentière, Dolent and numerous others. The author describes the tour both in the traditional 'anti-clockwise' direction and the 'clockwise' direction. There are several alternative routes that subsequently link, and these are also described. The routes, along with suggestions for alternative exploration, have been created on what the author thinks gives the very best perspective and appreciation of the whole region and provides the best balance of visual return for the physical effort required. At every opportunity recommendations are made that will bring the walker into closer contact with the area and enhance memories of the visit. This guide is in full colour, and has a good section on points of interest, accommodation details and natural history of the region. The second edition (2007) includes new routes around Courmayeur and Arnuva and to Lac Blanc.
Tour of Mont Blanc overview route map.
Elevation profile for the entire route.
Sample of one day's hike route map from the guide.
Ordering (France) Tour of Mont Blanc$24.9564-56981MBGuide
Maps:
Ordering (France) Mont Blanc/Chamonix A-1$18.9964-5662-A1Mont Blanc 1:50,000 topo. (Rando Taride #A1).
or
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531ET$19.9964-5648-3531ETMassif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000 topo map. France IGN.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3630OT$19.9964-5648-3630OTChamonix 1:25,000 topo map. France IGN.

 


Mont Blanc Walks. Hilary Sharp. A full colour guide to the very best walking around Chamonix and Mont Blanc, the world capital of mountaineering written by guide, expert and photographer Hilary Sharp, who lives in the valley. With 50 outstanding walks and 4 multi-day treks, this covers both the French side around Chamonix and Italian around Courmayeur. Totally new guide to this most popular destination for alpine walkers and mountain-lovers. Introduction to the best walking in the most popular alpine region, Chamonix, the capital of mountaineering. 50 outstanding walking routes in France and Italy, plus 4 multi-day treks. Illustrated with outstanding photographs and maps. The author recommends the maps listed below.
Ordering (France) Mont Blanc Walks guide$24.9564-56981MCGuide
Maps:
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3530ET$19.9964-5648-3530ETSamoens - Haut Giffre. 1:25,000 topo map #3530ET. France IGN. For walks in the Chamonix valley & north of Chamonix.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531ET$19.9964-5648-3531ETMassif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000 topo map #3531ET. France IGN. For walks south of Chamonix.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531OT$19.9964-5648-3531OTMégève - Col des Aravis. 1:25,000 topo map #3531OT. France IGN. For walks south of Chamonix.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3630OT$19.9964-5648-3630OTChamonix 1:25,000 topo map#3630OT. France IGN. For walks in the Chamonix valley & north of Chamonix.
Ordering Switz.--1:25,000 topo #1324$19.9965-3954-1324Barberine. 1:25,000 topo map #1324. Swiss Bundesamt für Landestopografie. For walks along the north end of Lac d'Emosson.
Ordering Italy--Monte Bianco, Chamonix$17.9964-8274-107Monte Bianco, Courmayeur, La Thuile, Chamonix, Mont Blanc. 1:25,000 topo map #107. Istituto Geografico Centrale. For walks around Courmayeur.

 

Walking in Provence - East guidebook. Cicerone.
A detailed guidebook to 30 varied day walks in the east of Provence in the Alpes Maritimes, Alpes de Haute-Provence and Mercantour, with practical information for the walker. Walks span from the Esterel on the coast to the Mercantour, and include the Verdon Gorge and Geological Reserve of Haute Provence, from bases such as Vence, Grasse and Digne-les-Bains.
Ordering Walking in Provence East guide (Cicerone)$24.9564-56981PS-EGuidebook

 

Walking in Provence - West guidebook. Cicerone.
Guidebook to 30 varied day walks in the west of Provence in the Drôme Provençale, the Vaucluse and the Var, with practical information for the walker. Walks span from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south and can be tackled from charming bases such as Nyons, Apt and Aix-en-Provence.
Ordering Walking in Provence West guide (Cicerone)$24.9564-56981PS-WGuidebook

 


The GR10 Trail: Through the French Pyrenees. By Paul Lucia. This classic long distance walk across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean takes a lower route than the more arduous Pyrenean High Route. Nevertheless it passes through striking mountain country and gorge scenery. The easy ascent of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau is described as an excursion. The route takes about 50 days to complete but the author divides it into sections conveniently tackled in a fortnight's holiday, with details of accommodation and transport. There is invaluable practical information for British walkers visiting France for the first time. The GR10 is one of a number of official long distance paths (Grandes Randonnées) in France. The GR system is very extensive and some 25,000+ miles (40,250+km) of footpath have been designated and waymarked. Each GR route has been allocated a number. The GR 10 runs from Hendaye on the west coast through the mountains of the Pays Basque, Béarn and Hautes Pyrénées to Luchon. From here it continues generally in an easterly direction to pass the sparsely populated Ariège, then across the Pyrénées Orientales to end on the Mediterranean coast at Banyuls- sur- Mer. The total distance is some 538 miles (866km). The author recommends ten of the Randonees Pyrenees maps to accompany this guide; these are listed below.
Ordering The GR10 Trail - French Pyrenees$16.9564-56981PTGuide
Recommended 1:50,000 Maps
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #1$19.9964-5661-01Sheet 1 - Pays Basque Ouest. Labourd.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #2$19.9964-5661-02Sheet 2. Pays Basque Est. Baretous Soule-basse Navarre.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #3$19.9964-5661-03Sheet 3. Bearn. Parc National des Pyrenees.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #4$19.9964-5661-04Sheet 4. Bigorre. Parc Cantional des Pyrenees.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #5$19.9964-5661-05Sheet 5. Luchon. Aure - Louron Sud Comminges.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #6$19.9964-5661-06Sheet 6. Couserans - Cap d'Aran. Pallars - Parque Nacional d'Aigues Tortes.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #7$19.9964-5661-07Sheet 7. Haute-Ariege, Andorra.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #8$19.9964-5661-08Sheet 8. Cerdagne - Capcir. Haute-Ariege.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees 10$19.9964-5661-10Sheet 10. Canigou. Vallespir-Fenouilledes.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees 11$19.9964-5661-11Sheet 11. Roussillon. Massif des Alberes, Cotes Vermeille.

 


Pyrenean Haute Route: Hendaye-Plage to Banyuls-sur-Mer. By Ton Joosten. The Pyrenean High Level Route takes the highest possible route through the centre of the Pyrenees, crossing the French/Spanish border many times. It is probably the most beautiful, spectacular and challenging walk in the Pyrenees, and this new guide from Ton Joosten breaks the unwaymarked 800km route into 42 stages in five groups.
Ordering (France) Pyreneen Haute Route (Cic)$33.9964-5698PYGuide

 


Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees. By Kev Reynolds. This guide is an introduction to one of Europe's finest mountain ranges. It offers suggestions for 170 walks, multi day tours and moderate ascents of some of the principal summits of the Central or High Pyrenees and includes the Pyrenean High Route between the Cirque de Lescun and Andorra - one of the most challenging and rewarding mountain treks of all. The active walker, trekker and climber is spoilt for choice, for there is enough scope in the Pyrenees to fill a lifetime of holidays with a host of experiences no matter what your degree of commitment. There are exquisite valleys and passes to wander day after day, and summits of 3000 metres and more within the reach of most hill walkers. The landscape is full of diversity and contrast, with Alpine style peaks, small glaciers, deep gorges and more that a thousand mountain lakes. The range is also know as the 'flower garden of Europe', and the wildlife includes carious species rarely seen elsewhere on the continent. Since the first edition appeared in 1978, Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees has become accepted as the authoritative guide to the range, and this new edition incorporates many changes and additions to reflect the boom in interest in the area. The author recommends the Carte de Randonées 1:50,000 map series, with 1:25,000 topographic maps for those that want more detail. We have listed these maps below.
Ordering Walks & Climbs in Pyrenees guide.$24.9565-32961WPGuide
Recommended Hiking Maps:
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #3$19.9964-5661-03Sheet 3. Bearn. Parc National des Pyrenees.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #4$19.9964-5661-04Sheet 4. Bigorre. Parc Cantional des Pyrenees.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #5$19.9964-5661-05Sheet 5. Luchon. Aure - Louron Sud Comminges.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #6$19.9964-5661-06Sheet 6. Couserans - Cap d'Aran. Pallars - Parque Nacional d'Aigues Tortes.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #7$19.9964-5661-07Sheet 7. Haute-Ariege, Andorra.
Ordering (France) Randonees Pyrenees #8$19.9964-5661-08Sheet 8. Cerdagne - Capcir. Haute-Ariege.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #1546ET$19.9964-5648-1546ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #1546ET Laruns - Gourette.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #1547OT$19.9964-5648-1547OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #1547OT Ossau - Vallée d'Aspe.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #1647OT$19.9964-5648-1647OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #1647OT Vignemale.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #1748OT$19.9964-5648-1748OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #1748OT Gavarnie - Luz-St-Sauveur.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #1748ET$19.9964-5648-1748ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #1748ET Néouvielle - Vallée d'Aure.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2148OT$19.9964-5648-2148OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #2148OT Vicdessos.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2249ET$19.9964-5648-2249ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #2249ET Font-Romeu.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #2249OT$19.9964-5648-2249OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #2249OT Bourg-Madame - Col de Puymorens.

 

Walking in the Queyras guide
Walking Tour of the Queyras - GR58 and GR541 in the French Alps. Cicerone, 2nd edition, 2009. A guide to a backpacking tour of the Queyras region of the Haute Alps on the border between Italy and France, following the GR58 and GR541 trails. The route includes the highest point reached on any grand randonée with 24 cols above 2000m and options to climb up to 17, five above 3000m.
Sample route map
Sample photograph
Sketch map showing the entire route
Ordering (France) Tour of the Queyras$33.9964-56981QUguidebook.
Recommended Maps
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3637OT$19.9964-5648-3637OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3637OT.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3537ET$19.9964-5648-3537ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3537ET.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3536OT$19.9964-5648-3536OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3536OT. Only a very small part of the Tour is shown on this sheet.

 


Cycling the River Loire - The Way of St. Martin. By John Higginson. Cicerone, UK. The River Loire invites cyclists to explore it. Without a stifling cycle way artificially created along the river's banks, the route is instead accompanied by an abundance of country lanes, tempting cyclists to find those hidden gems which make this journey an unending pleasure. The route has something for everyone. It includes dramatic vistas from high above the Ardeche Gorge, lazy days of flat riding through fields of indolent cattle, the chance to explore vineyards producing someworld's finest vintages and the great collection of castles and palaces which line the river's banks. The author recommends several France IGN 1:100,000 topographic maps to accompany the guide; these maps are listed below.
Ordering (France) Cycling the Loire$27.9564-56981LOGuide.
Maps:
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #124$13.9964-5652-124Sheet 124. Nantes, Chateaubriant. Old sheet #24.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #125$13.9964-5652-125Sheet 125. Angers, Chinon. Old sheet #25.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #133$13.9964-5652-133Sheet 133. Orlèans, Tours. Old sheet #26.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #134$13.9964-5652-134Sheet 134. Orlèans, la Charite-sur-Loire. Old sheet #27.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #135$13.9964-5652-135Sheet 135. Nevers, Autun. Old sheet #36.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #141$13.9964-5652-141Sheet 141. Lyon, Vichy. Old sheet #43.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #156$13.9964-5652-156Sheet 156. St-Etiènne, Le Puy. Old sheet #50.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #163$13.9964-5652-163Sheet 163. Privas, Ales. Old sheet #59.

 


Walking in the Tarentaise & Beaufort Alps. By J.W. Akitt, 1995. This is the delectable mountain area south of Mont Blanc - includes the Vanoise National Park. The guide describes 53 day walks, 5 tours between 2 and 8 days duration, plus 40 short outings. The author recommends several maps, listed below, to accompany the guidebook.
Ordering (France) Walking Tarent. &$19.9564-56981TBGuide
Maps:
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3432ET$19.9964-5648-3432ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3432ET Albertville.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3433ET$19.9964-5648-3433ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3433ET St-Jean-de-Maurienne - St-François-Longchamp - Valmorel.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531OT$19.9964-5648-3531OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3531OT Mégève - Col des Aravis.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3531ET$19.9964-5648-3531ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3531ET St-Gervais - Massif du Mont Blanc.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3532OT$19.9964-5648-3532OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3532OT Massif du Beaufortin.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3532ET$19.9964-5648-3532ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3532ET Les Arcs - La Plagne.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3534OT$19.9964-5648-3534OTFrance 1:25,000 topo #3534OT Les Trois Vallées - Modane.
Ordering France 1:25,000 topo #3633ET$19.9964-5648-3633ETFrance 1:25,000 topo #3633ET Tignes - Val d'Isère - Haute Maurienne.
Ordering Italy--Val Savarenche, Val di$15.9964-8274-102Val Savarenche, Val di Rhêmes, Valgrisenche. Sheet 102.

 


Rock Climbs in the Pyrenees. By Derek Walker. Includes Pic du Midi d'Ossau and the Vignemale in France. Also includes the Ordesa Canyon and Riglos in Spain. 168 pages.
Ordering (France) Rock Climb in the$21.9564-56981PRGuide

 


Tour of the Vanois. By Kev Reynolds, 1996. This book is a guide to a 10-12 day circuit of one of the finest of all mountain areas in France - the Vanoise Alps. Easily accessible by train or bus from Chambéry and Grenoble, the Vanoise National Park neighbours that of the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy, with Mont Blanc to the north and the Ecrins to the south. The Tour of the Vanoise explores the very best of this scenically spectacular region of 3000m peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and flowering meadows, and provides plenty of opportunities to study marmots, chamois and ibex along the way. With numerous manned huts strategically placed throughout the National Park, lightly-laden trekkers can stay in simple comfort each night without having to resort to carrying tents, food or cooking equipment. Covering a distance of more than 154km (95miles) it encounters some dramatically wild landscapes, is demanding in places and, with several passes to tackle in excess of 2500 metres (8200ft), ensures there's plenty of height gain and loss; the total amount of ascent being some 7031metres (23,068ft). Kev Reynolds describes the route, its alternatives and variations, gives details of the huts and other accommodation, and points out items of interest along the way. This circuit should appeal to all who love wild places, and for whom the Alps provide an antidote to everyday life at low level. The map recommended by the author is out of print and no longer available and has been replaced by the excellent Rando Taride map listed below.
Ordering (France)--Tour of the Vanois$17.9564-56981VAGuide
Maps:
Ordering (France) Mont Blanc/Chamonix A-1$18.9964-5662-A1A1 - Pays du Mont Blanc. With Aravis, Chamonix, Courmayeur. The map is centered on St. Gervais le Bains and covers an area of about 60 x 45 km. The GR routes are highlighted, including the entire Tour du Mont-Blanc route and the Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc.

 


Walks in Volcano Country - the Auvergne & Velay, France. By Alan Castle. Cicerone Press. 'The Auvergne and Velay are ancient regions of southern-central France whose landscapes have been shaped by intense volcanic activity. Several hundred extinct volcanoes are found here, many of whose craters, rims and slopes can be explored. It is a terrain quite unlike any found in Britain.

The Traverse of the High Auvergne is a 10 or 15 day mountain walk visiting many of the principal sites of the Auvergne. An easy ascent of the Puy de Sancy, at 6183ft the highest peak in the Massif Central, is included as well as a traverse of the Puy de Dome and the principal summits of the Central Mountains. The tour of the Velay, GR40, is a circular, 100-mile walk in the gentle hill country around Le Puy. An optional detour to Mount Mezenc, the highest peak in the Cevennes, is also described. The terrain, length and abundance of suitable accommodations make this an ideal excursion for those contemplating a walking holiday for the first time. There is ample time in a week or 10 day holiday for a visit to the celebrated town of Le Puy itself. Details of accommodation, transport, and other facilities are given, as well as practical information for the newcomers to walking in France. (From the cover). 208 pages. The author recommends four 1:100,000 topo maps to accompany this guide; these are listed below.
Ordering (France) Walks in Volcano$18.9564-56981VOGuide
Recommended 1:100,000 Hiking Maps:
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #148$13.9964-5652-148#148. Clermont-Ferrand, Montluçon. Old sheet #42. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #155$13.9964-5652-155#155. Aurillac, Clermont-Ferrand. Old sheet #49. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #156$13.9964-5652-156#156. St-Etiènne, Le Puy. Old sheet #50. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #163$13.9964-5652-163#163. Privas, Ales. Old sheet #59. 1:100,000. France IGN.

 


The Way of St. James: Le Puy to the Pyrenees (France part). By Alison Raju. Cicerone Press.
Covers the French part of the Trail from Le Puy-en-Velay to the Pyrenees. As well as giving directions for walking the route the book also provides information on places to visit along the way, the history of the pilgrimage and the availability of practical facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. This guide contains an outline of the route along the Cèlè valley (53km) as one appendix and, unlike existing guides (in any language), a comprehensive listing of St. James and other pilgrim references along the way as another. There is a list of suggestions for further reading and a glossary of geographical and other useful terms. It also contains a series of sketch maps covering the entire route, to aid the user in planning his or her journey. The author recommends five 1:100,000 France IGN maps for this part of the Camino. They are listed below.
Ordering (France) Way of St. James - Le Puy$22.9564-56981SJGuidebook.
Recommended 1:100,000 Hiking Maps:
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #156$13.9964-5652-156#156. St-Etiènne, Le Puy. Old sheet #50. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #159$13.9964-5652-159#159. Tarbes, Auch. Old sheet #63. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #161$13.9964-5652-161#161. Cahors, Montauban. Old sheet #57. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #162$13.9964-5652-162#162. Rodez, Mende. Old sheet #58. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #166$13.9964-5652-166#166. Pau, Bayonne. Old sheet #69. 1:100,000. France IGN.

 


The Way of St. James: Pyrenees - Santiago to Finesterre (Spain part). By Alison Raju. Cicerone Press.
A walker's guide to the 778km Pilgrim Road from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the foothills of the Pyrenees on the French side to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain and finally to the "end of the earth" in Finisterre on the Galician coast. It is the first original guide to the route in English, replacing the second part of the single volume previously published by Cicerone Press. As well as giving directions for walking the route, the book also provides information on places to visit along the way, the history of the pilgrimage and the availability of practical facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. Unlike existing guides (in any language) this one contains two features not included in any others: details of the walker's continuation from Santiago to Finisterre (75km) and a comprehensive listing of St. James and other pilgrim references along the way (as an Appendix). It also contains a list of suggestions for further reading, a glossary of geographical and other useful terms and a series of sketch maps covering the entire route, to aid the user in planning his or her journey. The author recommends four maps as overview maps for this volume - see below. Although they are not up to the quality of the British OS mapsFrench IGN maps, we also recommend the Spanish 1:50,000 topos for the Spanish portion of the trail for those wanting detailed maps. These maps are useful for side trips off the trail and for detail not shown on the Michelin maps below.
Ordering (Sp.) Way of St. James - Le Puy to Pyrenees$24.9565-32961SJGuide
Recommended Maps:
Ordering (Spain) Camino de Santiago map (FB)$15.9965-3273Camino de Santiago Route Map. 1:600,000. Freytag/Berndt.
Ordering Spain NW: Galicia map (M-571)$11.9565-3294-571Northwest Spain - Galicia map. Michelin #571. 1:400,000.
Ordering Spain - NW Coast map (M-572)$11.9565-3294-572Northwest coast of Spain - Asturias, Cantabria map. Michelin #572. 1:250,000.
Ordering Spain - NC Coast map (M-573)$11.9565-3294-573Northcentral coast of Spain - Pais/Vasco/ Navarra/La Rioja map. Michelin #573. 1:250,000.

 

The Way of St. James: Le Puy to Santiago - A Cyclist's Guide. By John Higginson. Cicerone Press. The new edition of the Way of Saint James Cyclist's Guide (researched and written during the Holy Year of 2004) provides an up-to-date description of this ever-popular 1570km cycle route from Le Puy in France to Santaigo de Compostela in Spain. By using roads with a good surface for touring cyclists, this guide attempts to follow the original pilgrimage route as closely as possible and offers the opportunity to visit every major church and shrine along the way with a few detours to outlying monasteries for good measure. The average distance on most days is only 50km, easily within the compass of the moderately fit. The guide includes routes from Santiago to Finisterre and Padron for those cyclists who want that little 'extra', while several variants are mentioned to cater for the fit and not-so-fit pilgrim. There is a comprehensive kit list and an English-French-Spanish list of essential words for the journey, as well as details of accommodation in gites d'ètape, chambres d'hote, hotels, refugios and hostals.
Ordering (Spain) Cycling Guide - Way of St.$24.9565-32961SKGuide
Recommended Maps:
Ordering (Spain) Camino de Santiago map (FB)$15.9965-3273Camino de Santiago Route Map. 1:600,000. Freytag/Berndt.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #156$13.9964-5652-156#156. St-Etiènne, Le Puy. Old sheet #50. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #159$13.9964-5652-159#159. Tarbes, Auch. Old sheet #63. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #161$13.9964-5652-161#161. Cahors, Montauban. Old sheet #57. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #162$13.9964-5652-162#162. Rodez, Mende. Old sheet #58. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering (France) 1:100,000 topo #166$13.9964-5652-166#166. Pau, Bayonne. Old sheet #69. 1:100,000. France IGN.
Ordering Spain NW: Galicia map (M-571)$11.9565-3294-571Northwest Spain - Galicia map. Michelin #571. 1:400,000.
Ordering Spain - NW Coast map (M-572)$11.9565-3294-572Northwest coast of Spain - Asturias, Cantabria map. Michelin #572. 1:250,000.
Ordering Spain - NC Coast map (M-573)$11.9565-3294-573Northcentral coast of Spain - Pais/Vasco/ Navarra/La Rioja map. Michelin #573. 1:250,000.


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