Mercantour National Park self guided walking holidays
| country: | France |
| location: | Mercantour |
| trip type: | Self guided, moderate / strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | Depart from Villeplane, every day according to availability from Jun to 25 Sep |
| price: | From €586 (7 days) per adult and €505 per child (7-12 yrs) excluding flights. Optional single room where possible €657 |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 2 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
This journey is full of variety. Through the foot-hills and the fragrance of Provence and up to the alpine panoramas of the Mercantour National Park.
From the oak to the larch; from the wheat fields to the gentian lawns; from a man-made landscape to a sweeping scenery of wilderness.
We have planned this hike so as to offer each day a choice of several routes to the same lodging place, easy or difficult. We have detailed the easier courses. Harder ones are set aside for experienced hikers with a sound knowledge of map reading.
Choose between two luggage transport options. For families (with children from 7 years of age) luggage can be transported by either car or donkey. For the harder treks a car is used to transport luggage. We are very fond of each of our 50 donkeys which are breed in a wild and free mountainous area. We know each of them very well so there will be no surprises!
The last two days are a grandiose conclusion to the trip - with a good general idea of high mountain conditions and Europe's largest glacial lake. Marmots, chamois and golden eagles will be there to meet you!
Price includes:
In 1993, the Alpi Maritime Park and the Mercantour National Park were awarded the European Environment Diploma. This diploma is awarded to internationally recognised natural areas in which nature conservation is particularly important due to their scientific, cultural or recreational value or their natural beauty.
A special but fragile area: The Mercantour National Park was established in 1979 in this long-recognised area of precious natural habitat. As an alpine park close to the Mediterranean, this extremely original geographical location gives rise to a very varied landscape: rocky areas, glacial cirques and valleys strewn with deep blue or brilliant green lakes, vast high alpine pastures, thick forests, narrow valleys, picturesque gorges and crystal clear rapids / streams / torrents / waterfalls.
A flora unique in Europe: This is the only French national park containing all levels of vegetation: from Mediterranean vegetation (holm oak, olive tree, hop-hornbeam) to rhododendron moors and up to alpine meadows at more than 2500 meters, whilst passing through fir, spruce, mountain pine, arolla pine and especially larch forests. Of the 4200 plant species which exist in France, more than 2000 of them are present in the Mercantour National Park, including around 40 endemic species (found nowhere else).
Abundant and varied wildlife - rich in varied wildlife: The Mercantour National Park is home to six species of large hoofed animals. The most well known are the chamois, the ibex and the argali sheep. Stags and roe deer inhabit woody areas whilst the wild boar is equally at home in all areas. The region has been naturally repopulated by wolves arriving from Italy. The wolf is returning to France after being absent for more than 50 years.
The variety choice of habitat in the park encourages the presence of other, smaller mammals, such as marmots, varying hare, stoats, bats and many other species. There are also many species of birds in the park: black grouse, ptarmigan, rock partridges, not forgetting the majestic flight of the birds of prey: short-toed eagle, royal eagle, buzzard and since 1993 the bearded vulture, after several reintroduction programmes.
From the oak to the larch; from the wheat fields to the gentian lawns; from a man-made landscape to a sweeping scenery of wilderness.
We have planned this hike so as to offer each day a choice of several routes to the same lodging place, easy or difficult. We have detailed the easier courses. Harder ones are set aside for experienced hikers with a sound knowledge of map reading.
Choose between two luggage transport options. For families (with children from 7 years of age) luggage can be transported by either car or donkey. For the harder treks a car is used to transport luggage. We are very fond of each of our 50 donkeys which are breed in a wild and free mountainous area. We know each of them very well so there will be no surprises!
The last two days are a grandiose conclusion to the trip - with a good general idea of high mountain conditions and Europe's largest glacial lake. Marmots, chamois and golden eagles will be there to meet you!
Price includes:
- The advice of a local guide who will receive you in English: On the morning of your arrival, we study together the various possibilities, taking into consideration the weather forecast and your physical condition.
- Full board ( 3 nights with local inhabitants, 2 nights in gîtes, 1 night in a small rural hotel, 1 night in a mountain refuge. Every lodging is comfortable and clean (showers available everywhere).
In 1993, the Alpi Maritime Park and the Mercantour National Park were awarded the European Environment Diploma. This diploma is awarded to internationally recognised natural areas in which nature conservation is particularly important due to their scientific, cultural or recreational value or their natural beauty.
A special but fragile area: The Mercantour National Park was established in 1979 in this long-recognised area of precious natural habitat. As an alpine park close to the Mediterranean, this extremely original geographical location gives rise to a very varied landscape: rocky areas, glacial cirques and valleys strewn with deep blue or brilliant green lakes, vast high alpine pastures, thick forests, narrow valleys, picturesque gorges and crystal clear rapids / streams / torrents / waterfalls.
A flora unique in Europe: This is the only French national park containing all levels of vegetation: from Mediterranean vegetation (holm oak, olive tree, hop-hornbeam) to rhododendron moors and up to alpine meadows at more than 2500 meters, whilst passing through fir, spruce, mountain pine, arolla pine and especially larch forests. Of the 4200 plant species which exist in France, more than 2000 of them are present in the Mercantour National Park, including around 40 endemic species (found nowhere else).
Abundant and varied wildlife - rich in varied wildlife: The Mercantour National Park is home to six species of large hoofed animals. The most well known are the chamois, the ibex and the argali sheep. Stags and roe deer inhabit woody areas whilst the wild boar is equally at home in all areas. The region has been naturally repopulated by wolves arriving from Italy. The wolf is returning to France after being absent for more than 50 years.
The variety choice of habitat in the park encourages the presence of other, smaller mammals, such as marmots, varying hare, stoats, bats and many other species. There are also many species of birds in the park: black grouse, ptarmigan, rock partridges, not forgetting the majestic flight of the birds of prey: short-toed eagle, royal eagle, buzzard and since 1993 the bearded vulture, after several reintroduction programmes.
travellers' tales
The fantastic alpine flora high in the mountains was the most memorable part. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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For travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people, we provide direct benefits to the local population. Our walks are a sample of sustainable development project for abandoned rural areas. We support small local accommodations and work exclusively with local partners, helping them to generate the bookings that they need to survive in a depopulating and remote area.
In 1993, the park received the European Year of the Environment label and an award for nature conservation aimed at recognising international conservation efforts. This award was renewed in 1998 by a decision of the ministerial committee of the Council of Europe. Guests will be encouraged to respect the nature in the national Park, through ecological information. Documents and information are available, for example concerning marked walking trails or the network of mountain refuges, to facilitate the visitor's understanding of the Park territory and conservation policies. We run guided tours to teach visitors how to interpret the landscape, for example at the Lac d'Allos. This type of activity, particularly suitable for children, contributes to a sense of eco-citizenship. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |