Via Ferratas Of The French Alps

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.

A guidebook for the sport of via ferrata which is becoming more popular for the adventurous hill-walker. It covers all the mountain ranges in France - the Alps, Pyrenees, Masif Central and Corsica.

This guidebook presents 75 via ferrata routes in the stunning Italian Dolomites. Part of a 2-volume set, this book covers Val di Fassa/Canazei, Selva, Badia/La Villa, Covara, Arabba, Falzarego, Cortina, Misurina, Sesto and Auronzo in the northern, central and eastern Dolomites. Routes are graded by technical difficulty and seriousness and there are comprehensive route descriptions accompanied by access notes, maps and topos. A wide range of grades, lengths and styles, from routes for novices to difficult and technical climbs are covered. Stunning photography completes this inspirational guide to some of the most breathtaking via ferrata routes in the world. The Italian Dolomites boast some of the most magnificent mountain scenery on the planet and some of the most iconic. Soaring rocky spires and jagged ridgelines are interspersed with gentle valleys and idyllic mountain villages. The Dolomites are also home to the world's greatest concentration of via ferratas - mountain routes or climbs that are protected by a series of cables, metal rungs, pegs and ladders.

Guidebook to the via ferrata routes of the southern Italian Dolomites. This guide covers via ferrata routes in the major mountain ranges of Civetta, Schiara and Pala as well as those to the west in the Brenta. A significant addition (and, as far as we are aware, not previously published in any English language guidebook) is the inclusion of routes around the northern end of Lake Garda and the Piccole Dolomites north of Vicenza. Here the mountains are generally lower and you can enjoy ferrata climbing over a much extended season, with some routes accessible for most of the year. This is the second in a series of two guidebooks to the via ferratas of the Italian Dolomites. (Volume One covers the eastern, northern and central areas of the Dolomites, while Volume Two completes the picture, focusing on the southern, Brenta and Lake Garda areas.)

The 40 walks in this guidebook explore the stunning summer landscapes around Briançon. Walks range from 4 to 21km, and cover the valleys of Clarée, Cerveyrette, Ayes, Durance and Guisane, as well as the area around Vallouise and Montgenèvre. All the routes are circular and graded from easy to very hard, so there are walks to suit all abilities. Alongside detailed route descriptions and maps, the guidebook provides practical advice on when to visit and the best bases for exploring the region. There are notes on plants and wildlife, and information on the many hill forts in the area. Stunning photographs add to the appeal of this informative guide. The Briançonnais is a stunning mountain wilderness packed with snow-capped peaks, idyllic Alpine valleys, pastures full of wildflowers, sparkling alpine lakes, historic hill forts and a labyrinth of quiet paths. With a rural charm and a milder climate than the northern Alps, it is a region ripe for discovery, and this guide is the perfect place to start.

Italy's Alta Via 1, a 180km trail through the Italian Alps following the northern flank of the Aosta Valley, boasts magnificent views of the Alpine giants: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Grand Combin and Monte Rosa. Indeed, it is sometimes known as the Giants' Trail and can be combined with a sister-route, the Alta Via 2 (covered in a separate Cicerone guide), which runs along the southern flank of the valley, to form the Tor des Géants. Stretching from Donnas to Courmayeur, the Alta Via 1 offers fantastic alpine walking, with welcoming refuges and small hotels providing overnight accommodation (and great food) along the way. The guide presents the route in two sections, for the advantage of those who can't spare the full fortnight-plus needed to walk the entire AV1. The trail is described in 16 stages, with alternative stages covering some popular variants, including an optional detour to visit the famed monastery at the Great St Bernard Pass. Each stage includes clear route description and mapping, plus notes on local points of interest and accommodation options. An alternative itinerary, list of useful contacts, kitlist and glossary can be found in the appendices. The AV1 crosses cols of nearly 3000m as it traverses the side-valleys of the main Aosta Valley. Suited to those with some of experience of alpine trekking, the walking is demanding but without technical difficulty. And the rewards are many: quieter huts, breathtaking vistas and a chance to immerse yourself in fabulous mountain landscapes overlooked by soaring, snow-clad giants.

Abounding in history and dotted with cols coloured by stories about the world's greatest cyclists, the Route des Grandes Alpes (RdGA) is a must for competent, hill-hungry cycle tourers. Covering some 720km from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) to mediterranean Nice, the route is described across 14 stages and can be completed in anywhere from 7 to 14 days - depending on how you'd like to spread out the 17,000m of climbing. Six variants are also described, ensuring no holiday is compromised or cut short if a col on route is closed. Clear and concise route descriptions are provided for each stage (and variant), together with 1:150K mapping and extremely helpful gradient profiles. Also included is invaluable practical advise - everything from bicycle selection (including eBikes) and nutrition in the saddle, to logistical planning and accommodation options. Showcasing some of the world's best Alpine cycling, the RdGA takes in 17 major climbs, including the famous Col de l'Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), the Col du Galibier (favourite climb of Tour de France founder, Henri Desgrange) and the Col d'Izoard (synonymous with cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet). It also passes through some of the most spectacular national parks in France, including the Vanoise, the Écrins and the Mercantour.

Ski mountaineering guidebook to the Western Alps including the classic Haute Route, Chamonix to Zermatt, tours in the Ecrins, Vanoise, Haute Maurienne, Gran Paradiso, Mont Blanc, Valais and Urner Alps. The European Alps offer some of the finest and most accessible ski mountaineering in the world. A combination of magnificent and varied terrain, an enviable snow record, excellent public transport, unrivalled hut system and long ski season make them a focus for mountaineers and skiers throughout the world. Volume 2 of this Alpine Ski Mountaineering series covers the Central and Eastern Alps. The routes described will provide a lifetime's ski mountaineering for the average skier, with rewards and challenges for all levels of ability.