The Maritime

Naturetrek Tour Itinerary

Outline itinerary

Day 1 Fly and transfer to ()

Day 2-4 Wildlife walks in the Alpi Marittime National Park from Entracque

Day 5 Transfer via Colle della Lombarda to Saint-Martin-Vésubie ()

Day 6-7 Wildlife walks in the

Day 8 Transfer to Nice and fly London

Departs Mid June

Focus Mainly plants, but also butterflies, birds and mammals

Grading Grade B. All walks are optional day walks, some of them on quite steep and rocky terrain

Dates and Prices See website or brochure for details (FRA27)

Highlights  Stunning Alpine scenery  Many endemic and localised plants  Saxifrages, Primulas and Gentians  A wealth of butterflies  The Mediterranean meets the Mountains

View of Entracque, Primula marginata and Valle Sant' Anna

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK

T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

The Tour Itinerary

N.B. Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However, adverse weather and other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and weather conditions available.

Introduction

The Maritime Alps form the south-western end of the Alpine Chain, lying across the French and Italian border, only some 90 minutes north of the sparkling . The combination of Mediterranean and Alpine influences, with peaks rising to over 3,000m, and complex geology, have resulted in an area of incredible richness of plants and butterflies, with many locally rare and endemic species.

On this two-centre holiday we will explore this fascinating area, first from the Italian side, within the Alpi Marittime National Park, and then from the French side, within the Mercantour National Park. These Parks share over 30km of border, and once formed part of the Italian King’s hunting reserve. Today they are still home to Chamois, Ibex, Mouflon, Wild Boar and Roe and Red Deer, while Wolves have reintroduced themselves to the area, after a long absence. The mountains are traversed by several north-south routes used in the past by salt and fleece traders, smugglers (briganti), pilgrims en route to Spain and, more recently, Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. There are also many military roads, serving both the C19th line of Border Forts, and the WWII Maginot Line. We will be walking a selection of these tracks and paths as we delve deep into the mountain valleys and passes. On the northern side, we will be based in the little Italian village of Entracque, surrounded by rivers and streams, where a local dialect is still spoken. Famous for its potatoes, one of the specialities is ‘Bodi Dous’, small cakes made from Potato, Honey, Chestnuts, Walnuts and Hazelnuts. Our small, friendly, family-run hotel is situated on the edge of the village, but only a few minutes walk from the fountain-filled squares and narrow streets of the centre. After four nights here, we drive in a large arc southwards, to its twinned village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie, which takes as its title ‘La Suisse Niçoise’. Here our hotel is slightly larger, with a terrace under the Chestnut trees, and its own swimming pool.

On this week-long holiday we will enjoy daily natural history walks of two to ten kilometres, amongst the beautiful alpine valleys, forests and high peaks of the National Parks, focusing on their alpine flora, butterflies, birdlife, and mammals. Some of the paths are quite steep and uneven, and walking poles are recommended. The programme below is an outline of our proposed activities, but much will depend on the weather (afternoon rain is not unusual), and what we see in each location.

Day 1 London – Nice We depart from London for the short flight to Nice, where we transfer to our privately hired minibus(es) for the approx 3-hour journey to Entracque. Driving along the coastal motorway, past and across the border to Ventimiglia, we turn northwards to ascend the French Valley, where the road twists through deep gorges and tunnels. Among our stops will be one in the Saorge Gorge, where we will look for the endemic Cinquefoil Potentilla saxifraga, and Fragrant Stonecrop (Sedum fragrans). We may well have to wait at the narrow Tunnel, which at 1279m will lead us back into Italy, as traffic is only allowed through every half hour. From here, we descend northwards into the Valley towards , before turning off to Entracque.

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Tour Itinerary The Maritime Alps

The Hotel Trois Etoiles, our base for the first four nights of this trip, is surrounded by mountain peaks, with local birds including Crag Martins and Black Redstarts. After we have settled into our hotel we will, if time permits, take a gentle stroll to explore the local area.

Day 2 La Gorge della Reina

Today we will walk from our hotel. This limestone gorge is named after the much-loved C14th Queen Giovanna d’Angio. (According to legend, the King of France was pressing his unwanted advances on the fair Queen, with the help of his army; but the whole force met an untimely end plunging into the Gorge, leaving the Queen free. We shall watch our steps as we walk!) Our walk starts with a gentle climb across flowery meadows, where we expect to see a variety of orchids, including Pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Fragrant (Gymndenia conopsea) and Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora). The path goes through deciduous and coniferous woodland, where we watch out for the elusive Black Woodpecker. We climb to the saddle Colletta della Lausa before dropping into Vallon di Costabella, and the deserted hamlet of Tetto Stramondin and following the path into the dramatic limestone chasm of the Gorge. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and other fragrant herbs line the rocky slopes, while in the Gorge grows the rare endemic Primula allionii, along with the local Marginate Primrose (Primula marginata) and Saxifraga diapensioides, amongst the abundant Live-long Saxifrage (Saxifraga paniculata) and Thick-leaved Saxifrage (Saxifraga callosa). We complete a circuit by following a mule-track through Beech woodland bright green with new leaves, and old terraces, back to the village.

Depending on time and conditions, we may then explore (mainly by minibus) the upper valley Gesso, one of the two valleys above Entracque.

Day 3 Colla della Tenda

While the tunnel today goes through the mountain, the ancient routes went over the top. We shall drive to the mouth of the tunnel, where we shall take the road past Limone 1400, which winds up to the top of the Col, with the car park at 1795m. The slopes will be colourful with Pasqueflowers, Anemones, Gentians and Alpenrose, amongst others, and we will watch out for Red-billed and Alpine Chough, and overhead. In 1882, Italy sided with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany against France, and a series of forts were built along the border, which still stand today. Our ridge-top route will take us past Fort Central and Fort Tabourde, and give us views of others of these. On the grassy and rocky slopes we will look for the beautiful Allium narcissiflorum, Delphinium dubium, Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and Vanilla Orchids (Gymnadenia rhellicani, and the endemic Gymnadenia corneliana), while the rocks may hold Globularia repens, the first flowers of Campanula alpestris, and Viola cenisia, alongside the many Houseleeks (Sempervivum spp.). Another endemic, Narrow-leaved Catchfly (Silene campanula) prefers damper areas, under the Green Alder (Alnus viridis).

On our way down from the Col, we shall stop to look at an early attempt at a road tunnel, where we may find the endemic Micromeria marginata, with more Primula marginata. Butterflies on the wing may include Clouded Apollo, Mountain Alcon Blue and de Prunner’s Ringlet.

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The Apennines: Italy's Abruzzo National Park Tour Itinerary

Day 4 Palanfrè Today we take the road up the Valle Grande, to the little hamlet of Palanfrè (1379m), to walk in the peaceful Vallone degli Alberghi (meaning ‘last pastures’ rather than ‘hotels’!) This valley contains a mixture of limestone, sedimentary and igneous rocks, so the flora is very varied. The walk starts through Beech woods, where we may find late flowering Yellow Anemone (Anemone ranunculoides) and Coral-root Orchid (Corallorhiza trifida), and climbs through pastures, before zigzagging up the mountain slope. We will look for the rare yellow Fritillary Fritillaria tubiformis subsp. moggridgei, with its delicate bells. Round-headed Orchid (Traunsteinera globosa), Dwarf Hairy Broom (Cytisus hirsutus subsp. pumilus), endemic to the , are amongst the hillside flowers, while the boulders may hold Primula marginata and Blue Saxifrage (Saxifraga caesia). The path eventually reaches two idyllic little lakes (2057m), surrounded by Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), where Chamois and Marmots are often seen. We may well take a shorter circuit, over a stream, to rejoin the original route back down the valley.

On our way home, we will make a short stop to visit the Grotte del Bandito, where we shall look for such specialities as Campanula macrorhiza and Teucrium lucidum, together with Spoon-leaved Saxifrage (Saxifraga cuneifolia) and Knotted Geranium (Geranium nodosum).

Day 5 Santa Anna, Colle della Lombarda, to Saint-Martin-Vésubie Today we transfer from Italy to the French side of the Maritime Alps. Mountain roads rarely go directly, and often involve much winding up and down: we shall go gently. First, we need to travel north to the Stura Valley, which we reach by the pretty road that climbs past an area protected for the most northerly site of Phoenicean Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea). We then follow the bottom of the valley to , where we turn south, and start the steep climb up the Vallone di Sant’ Anna.

Near the top of the valley, on a promontory, lies the Sanctuary of S. Anna (2010m). Here we will explore the rocky slopes and cliffs under Cima Tessina, home to one of the most iconic plants of the area, The Ancient King (Saxifraga florulenta). This very rare and protected plant, which is only found on cold, shady, damp rock faces and crevices over 2000m, grows for over 30 years, but only flowers once (in August), before dying. However, the rosettes of leaves, which look like green tea-saucers, can sometimes be seen – we will look! Here too, we may see Potentilla valderia, Saxifrage (Saxifraga pedemontana), and the rosettes of the endemic Hen-and-Chickens Houseleek Jovibarba globifera subsp. allionii. Our path then takes us to the pretty Lago di S. Anna at 2167m, where Coincya richeri grows, from where we return to the car park.

Driving on, we then climb to the border at the Colle della Lombarda (Col de la Lombarde from the French perspective!) at 2351m where we shall have another stop to admire the stunning views all around. Then it’s downhill all the way, as we descend the Vallon Chastillon to Isola, then the Vallée de la Tinée, and finally the Val de Blore, to reach Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Here the charming Hotel de la Châtaigneraie will be our base for the final three nights. There should be time to explore the village, have a swim (depending on the temperature!), or relax on the terrace before dinner.

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Tour Itinerary The Maritime Alps

Day 6 Vallée de la Madone de Fenestre; La Colmiane Today we will take the Vallée de la Madone de Fenestre, which climbs to over 1900m. Stopping near the church, we will set out to follow the steep, but good, path. Our journey may be limited by the amount of water in the stream. Among the plants we will look for are Alpine Pasque Flowers (Anemone alpina), Simple-leaved Yarrow (Achillea erba-rotta), the endemic Vanilla Orchid Gymnadenia corneliana, Louseworts, Rampions and Saxifrages.

Later, we will head towards the Ski Station at La Colmiane, Vanilla Orchid Gymnadenia corneliana where we will take the track that leads to the Via Ferrata. This area is lightly wooded, mainly with Scot’s Pine (Pinus sylvestris), while the rocky slopes bear a variety of Brooms. Here we will look for the Red Lily (Lilium pomponium), Ligurian Gentian (Gentiana ligustica), Molopospermum (Molopospermum peloponnesiacum), and Thymelea dioica. A footpath completes our circular walk.

Day 7 Millefonts and Rimplas

Today we will take another gravelled road, from St. Dalmas de Valdeblore to the Vallee des Millefonts. Offering stunning views of the Val de Blore, this road winds across the hillside before turning north to climb to this high valley. From the car park, we will walk to the Col de Veillos and the Lac des Millefonts, where we shall look for Vallino’s Spurge (Euphobia variabilis subsp. valliniana) Large flowered Cinquefoil (Potentilla grandiflora)and the Maritime Alps Pansy (Viola valderia), amongst the wealth of plant life.

Our exploration will take on a more Mediterranean feel this afternoon, as we return along the Val de Blore to the village of Rimplas. This has extensive views in all directions, and is the location of one of the forts on the WWII Maginot Line. Here Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) should be flowering, together with both Prickly and Phoenicean Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus and J. phoenicea), Spiny Spurge (Euphorbia spinosa), and Cupidone (Catananche caerulea). Butterflies may include Great Sooty Satyr, Scarce Swallowtail, Cleopatra, Dusky Heath and Escher’s Blue.

Day 8 London Today we must say our farewells to the mountains, as we descend through the narrow gorges of the Vallée de la Vésubie to Plan du , and so on to Nice for our flights home.

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The Apennines: Italy's Abruzzo National Park Tour Itinerary

Tour grading

On this tour we will be based at two different hotels. We will explore the mountains of this spectacular region and enjoy their natural history, by means of day and half-day walks of between two and ten kilometres in length. Our pace will be gentle and we will frequently pause to take a closer look at the plants, butterflies and birds. We may have the support of two minibuses (depending on group size) to allow maximum flexibility, and provide options to each day's programme.

The tour is graded B – several of the walks are quite long and steep, the terrain is rocky and the weather can be challenging. However, all walks are optional day walks.

Weather

We have chosen mid June as being the prime time for flowering plants, butterflies and birds in this region. However, as we will be high in the mountains throughout this holiday you must be prepared for the very variable weather associated with all mountain ranges. Whilst we can expect mostly clear, sunny and hot (c 75ºF or 23ºC) weather, we should also expect some wet, cloudy and cool weather; the changes can be dramatic, so bring a good range of clothing!

Food and accommodation

All food and accommodation is included in the price of this holiday.

How to book your place!

In order to book your place on this holiday, please give us a call on 01962 733051 with a credit or debit card, book online at www.naturetrek.co.uk, or alternatively complete and post the booking form at the back of our main Naturetrek brochure, together with a deposit of 20% of the holiday cost plus any room supplements if required. If you do not have a copy of the brochure, please call us on 01962 733051 or request one via our website. Please stipulate any special requirements, for example extension requests or connecting/regional flights, at the time of booking.

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