Walking, trekking guide to Maritime Alps – Italy, France, Europe

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates

Excellent maps are available for both sides of the Maritime Alps. They are widely available at local outlets, as well as leading map stores and outdoor suppliers in the UK.

The sections of the Mercantour Park in France covered in this guide need the 1:25,000 series by IGN (www.ign.fr), carte de randonnée sheets 3841OT Vallée de la Roya and 3741OT Vallée de la Vésubie. The only drawback is that where they stray even metres into Italian territory, the map converts to different graphics and paths all but disappear. The Mercantour uses a brilliant system whereby the numbers on marker poles at key junctions are found on the maps, so you always know exactly where you are. These are referred to in the walk descriptions and denoted by a ‘P’ and then two or three digits, eg ‘123’ (so ‘P123’).

For Italy a single map is sufficient – Cartoguida 1 Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime 1:25,000 by Blu Edizioni (www.bluedizioni.it), with a clear design that makes it especially easy to read. The sole exception is Walk 24, which needs the first French map.

A last but not least suggestion is to purchase the handy 1:50,000 maps Montagnes sans frontière, published by L'Arciere, Cuneo, 1995. Designed to accompany the eponymous guidebook in Italian and French describing trans-frontier routes, they are also sold as a set for a reasonable €8. Not 100% up to date, but worthwhile for an overview.