HILARY SHARP TREKKING IN THE AND PROVENCE www.trekkinginthealps.com www.trekkinginprovence.com [email protected]

 NO hidden costs.  Small groups guaranteed.  Expert guiding  All levels catered for.  High summits and hikes  New destinations every year.

SUMMER CALENDAR 2017

Prices include:  organisation  guided trekking,  accommodation (bed, breakfast and dinner)  transport during the holiday,

Not included:  Travel to meeting place  Hill food  Drinks  Rescue Insurance - eg Snowcard www.snowcard.co.uk

As in 2016, the 2017 summer programme will be a mix of classic treks such as the spectacular Tour of and some new or lesser known hiking – this is what Trekking in the Alps does best – where we venture off the beaten track – mountain adventures with a flexible programme allowing us to do the best and most suitable hikes for the group.

After a great trip in 2015 I will be returning to Corsica for this spring/ summer. The Corsica Spring Safari – so named not because we’ll be stalking elephants but because we’ll be on the move, using 3 different bases – although obviously if there are elephants we’ll take a look. And then for the summer itself I have a Trek which will follow the same very successful programme that I have done these last couple of years.

I went to the Queyras for the first time in summer in 2015 and was blown away by the hiking potential which is immense. My Queyras Lakes and Summits week is a new programme but based on the last couple of year’s exploration that I have done. This is a hotel and gite based trip which will allow us to explore this fabulous and remote region where hikers really rule and can venture pretty much where they like, unrestrained by glaciers or technical terrain.

I am also offering a Creaky Knees Special based in the shadow of Mont Blanc. My CKS trips are for folks who love to hike but maybe don’t appreciate the downhills so much. We enjoy a week of fabulous hikes in view of Mont Blanc, using the lifts to minimise the descents.

Finally I am offering the Dolomites Alta Via 2 trek meeting 27 August. This 6 day high level route goes through spectacular scenery in this most rocky of alpine massifs. This is truly a gem…not for the faint hearted, but for those who find their soul amongst barren rocks and high plateaux, this is for you!

Although this is called the Summer Calendar it also includes the aforementioned Corsica week and my now regular Classic Provence Summer Flowers and Summits which takes place in the Drôme Vaucluse regions. This area is not yet so well-known as the “Peter Mayle Year in Provence” part of Provence or indeed the Côte d’Azur, and this is good as it means we have wild scenery, uncrowded trails and peace and quiet. The hiking here is amazingly varied, with a plethora of limestone summits and gorges to explore, Provençal villages to discover and the renowned food and drink of the area waiting to be sampled. The holidays are based in a medieval village in a friendly, comfortable hotel, which specialises in excellent regional food and wine. A day off mid-week will allow those who wish to cycle along quiet lanes through sleepy villages, whilst others can visit a Provençal market or just relax. There is also a the fantastic Peaks and Passes of Provence based slightly further north which for a couple of days will venture into the wonderful Saou Forest region, renowned in for its magnificent scenic trails. We did this trip in April 2016 and it was truly spectacular.

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All treks and holidays are 6 days, except the Tour of Mont Blanc which is 7 days. These are the number of days walking, and don’t include arrival and departure days. Note that for 2017 my trips do not always meet on weekends. To avoid busy travel days we will meet on weekdays. Where 2 trips are advertised for the same date the first to get bookings is the one that goes.  Trekking in the Alps has a policy of not cancelling trips if it is possible to avoid it.  Treks and holidays are guaranteed departure with 2 people and priced on a minimum of 4 people. Below 4 people a supplement will be payable, although some trips can go with 3 at the same price.  Holidays are graded by smiley face , one being the easiest grade up to three which means a strenuous grade. However, it must be understood that these grades are only guidelines and one person's easy day can be another's hardest day depending on energy levels and perception, regardless of the actual difficulty of that stage of the trek.

My treks are a product of my knowledge and experience having lived 23 years in the Alps. I have written several guidebooks to the Alps, amongst them: Chamonix Mountain Adventures; Tour of the Matterhorn and , Mont Blanc Walks and Snowshoeing Mont Blanc.

THE 2017 SUMMER PROGRAMME

Email me for factfiles on any of these treks and holidays Prices are in €uros because I live in France and most of my costs are in €uros. In addition, the exchange rate has vacillated so much these last few years it’s impossible to calculate sterling prices months in advance. I can take the deposit payment in sterling at an agreed rate.

A breakdown of prices (guiding/organisation/transport/ guide’s costs:/accommodation) is available on request and if you prefer to pay your accommodation costs directly then just ask.

Meet 22 April Gorgeous Provence 1275€ New!! Confirmed 6 days walking, 3 hotel bases. Taking us from the coastal scenery around Grasses and Cannes to the spectacular Verdon Gorge. A true visual extravaganza with lots of variety, good accommodation, and of course Provençal food and wine.

Meet 6 May Classic Provence Summer Flowers and Summits 1290€ / 6 days: 5 day walks in the stunning region of the Drôme, known for its lavender, olives, vineyards and wild scenery. One day off mid-week for other activities – gentle cycling, sight-seeing, via ferrata, or just relaxing.

Meet 20 May Provence Peaks and Passes 1310€  6 days walking, discovering the Baronnies area of Provencene, and further north into the Saou Forest. This will be a week of very varied walks, with spectacular scenery. There will also be plenty of historical and cultural interest too. We’ll be based in 2 contrasting but very comfortable and welcoming hotels, to allow us maximum exploration.

Meet 10 June Corsica Spring Safari 1410€ Confirmed 6 days of hiking with 3 different bases will allow us to make our way around the northern part of this spectacular island, known equally for its striking granite peaks and its beautiful beaches. Our walks will take us to wonderful hidden valleys, through old villages and to secret beaches only accessible by foot or boat. We’ll enjoy the splendid Corsica cuisine and local wines and beers. Not to be missed.

Meet 26 June Queyras Lakes and Summits 1325€ /New! The Queyras is an alpine region in southeastern France, tucked up against the Italian border. It lacks the very easy access of the Mont Blanc region and thus benefits from a relative lack of over development and commercialism. This region is a paradise for non-glacier hiking, with wonderful valleys and mountain lakes and passes, as well as charming hamlets and forts to explore. The views are spectacular stretching to the nearby glaciated Ecrins massif and beyond, and south to the famous Monte Viso. Our bases will be friendly hikers’ hotels / gites and we’ll have 6 days of superb and varied walks.

Meet 26 June Creaky Knees Special: In the shadow of Mont Blanc 1410€  Many keen walkers and runners have sore knees, hips, ankles that make long mountain descents a bit of an ordeal. This trip is for those folks. If you’re keen to get high into the mountains and to enjoy long and challenging hikes but would like to minimise the downhills then this is the answer. 5 days hiking with one rest day to go up then Aiguille du Midi cable car if conditions allow.

Meet 10 July Tour of Mont Blanc 1315€  7 days, the classic alpine trek going around the fabulously beautiful through France Switzerland and . Unforgettable and unbeatable!

Meet 24 July Gran Paradiso Trek 1410€  / 6 days hiking in this paradise for wildlife and spectacular scenery. This trek takes us over some high passes, through some amazingly remote and wonderful terrain. Rather than trekking every day I have adapted this programme so we have 2 nights in 3 different bases - 2 huts (1 with rooms) and 1 hotel. This gives the opportunity to climb to a couple of rocky summits en route, with light sacs as we do a circuit from the bases. This will be a fabulous and challenging week.

Meet 7 August Matterhorn and Monte Rosa: Sunshine, Summits and Pasta! 1450€  /Confirmed The Italian side of the Monte Rosa and Matterhorn range is truly a hiker’s paradise, with wild and remote walking in spectacular scenery, great food and delightful accommodation. This trek is a showcase of all that is best in this area, with a couple of great hiking summits thrown in. Excellent accommodation makes this trek a very satisfying combination of challenge and comfort.

Meet 27 August Dolomites Alta Via 2 1525€ (1325€ if 6 people)  /New! Confirmed The Dolomites are a stunning d spectacular mountain range. This high level trek starts up at the northern end where it feels more like you’re in Austria then Italy. It makes its way south through high passes under soaring peaks. A 6 day trek in grandiose surroundings.

Here’s how Summer 2016 looked… Let’s make Summer 2017 just as memorable!