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Articles

112 articles found

The volcanic landscape of Puy de la Vache

Article · 24 Feb 2019

Walking in the Auvergne – everything you need to know

The Auvergne forms the major part of the Massif Central of France. It's a stunning area of ancient volcanic scenery, crossed by numerous waymarked paths which thread through a...

2 The Garonne Canal offers one of the best routes on traffic-free asphalted paths

Article · 12 Jan 2019

The Canal de la Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse – a cyclist’s dream

There are few places better than France to tour by bike. And the Canal de la Garonne offers one of the best routes on traffic-free asphalted cycle paths and small country roads...

004 The southern Jura overlooking Mont Blanc, from the ‘Balcon des Alpes’ (Stages 12 and 13)

Article · 9 Jan 2019

An intro to... the Jura Crest Trail

The Jura Crest Trail, one of seven Swiss national long-distance walking trails, delivers one wondrous panorama after another as you ascend, traverse and descend summits and mountain passes along the 310km route. Here’s a quick summary of what you...

View of the Combin with Cabane de Louvie far below by the lake

Article · 26 Dec 2018

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn in 27 variants: the slow process of updating a guidebook

When Lesley, Jonathan and Maddy Williams updated Kev Reynolds’ Chamonix to Zermatt guide, it gave them an insight into the daily challenges faced by Cicerone’s guidebook...

Fastpacking

Article · 17 Oct 2018

Welcome to the world of fastpacking

Put simply, fastpacking is the hybrid of running, hiking and lightweight backpacking. It’s a multi-day running trip carrying the bare essentials. Underpinning the activity is the principle of ‘fast and light’ – taking only the kit you need...

Bettmerhorn Summit

Article · 30 Sept 2018

Hiking alone in Bettmeralp and the Aletsch Arena, Switzerland

An unexpected event meant a planned weekend away in Zermatt turned into two days hiking alone in Bettmeralp. But as Annalisa Mejetta describes, it couldn’t have worked out...

The glacial bowl with the Sulzenau Alm ahead

Article · 19 Sept 2018

An intro to... Innsbruck, the Capital of the Alps

How about a destination combining a variety of outdoor adventures and vibrant culture alongside quick access to the mountains? Welcome to Innsbruck, the Capital of the Alps.

Walking into an Umbrian vista between Citerna and Citta di Castello

Article · 25 Jul 2018

4 spiritual reasons to walk the Way of St Francis: Florence to Assisi

Ben Cottam and Giles Story walked the 285km section from Florence to Assisi, rather faster than recommended, over nine days in early May this year, armed with Rev Sandy Brown’s...

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Article · 15 Jul 2018

Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes – what you need to know

Discover the awesome passes of the French Alps on this stunning 720km journey from Lac Léman to cosmopolitan Nice. Breathtaking views open up around every turn in the road as the...

The Refuge de Bellachat (2152m)

Article · 23 Jun 2018

16 of the best Mountain Huts in the Alps

Prompted by Kev Reynolds highlighting Bellachat as one of his favourite alpine huts, we have brought together a selection of more great huts and hut experiences in the Alps. They may be historic, friendly and atmospheric, ultra-modern, or perched in...

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Article · 16 Jun 2018

The Karnischer Höhenweg – a walk through history

The Karnischer Höhenweg is a 170km waymarked hut-to-hut trek along the border between Italy and Austria. Also known as the Carnic Peace Trail, it runs west to east along the...

Ice Ultra 18 Yeti Nordisk 2 (Mikkel Beisner)

Article · 11 Apr 2018

Damian Hall on winning the Ice Ultra in Sweden

Damian Hall has won the Ice Ultra in Sweden - here we ask him about his race preparation, the dizzy heights of appearing on local radio and how he avoided penile frostbite. Yes,...

Ref de la Balme

Article · 8 Apr 2018

Everything you need to know about staying in a mountain hut

Refuge, cabane, rifugio or hütte... mountain huts are a great way to stay high in the mountains, but the thought of planning an alpine trek can be daunting. Will the huts be open...

Running To The Refuge De Loriaz

Article · 30 Mar 2018

Winter trail running adventures in Chamonix

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to hang up your trail shoes in exchange for skis.​Trail runner Kingsley Jones trains year-round, and if you know what you’re...

9  The Confluence Of The Dordogne And Vezere Rivers

Article · 18 Feb 2018

Walking in the Dordogne – what you need to know

The Dordogne region is steeped in history, with bastide towns, Romanesque churches and Renaissance-style châteaux to visit, as well as rock shelters and caves along the nearby...

Backpacking the Cape Wrath Trail

Article · 31 Jan 2018

What’s the difference between walking, trekking, hiking and backpacking?

Cicerone’s Joe Williams answers the question you’ve always been afraid to ask: just what is the difference between walking and trekking? Read on to become a pro with the...

The AV1 and AV2 in the Italian Dolomites see the most visitors

Article · 5 Aug 2017

What’s the Alta Via? Why are they numbered? Why are there two AV1 routes in Italy? I’m confused…

There are Alta Via trekking routes in two areas of the Italian Alps: the Dolomites and the Aosta Valley (Gran Paradiso/Mont Blanc). Read on to find out the difference between them.

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Article · 21 Jun 2017

5 great days out along the Canal du Midi cycle route

Cycling the Canal du Midi makes for a wonderful and not too difficult tour from Toulouse to Sète in France. The 260km route can easily be cycled in a week although it is worth...

Rocher De Mutzig Gr53

Article · 5 Jun 2017

GR5 Vosges and Jura – walking the borderlands of France

When the time came to update their Cicerone guide, Les and Elizabeth Smith were happy to have an excuse to revisit the Vosges and Jura. This section of the GR5 winds down through...

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Article · 22 Apr 2017

The River Loire Cycle Route: ultimate planning guide

Perfect for chateau spotters or history fans, the Loire Cycle Route passes through historic cities like Orléans and Tours, continuing past Angers and France's fourth largest city...