Walks in Volcano Country

Walks in Volcano Country

by Alan Castle (Author)

Synopsis

The Auvergne and Velay are ancient regions of southern central France whose landscapes have been shaped by intense volcanic activity. Several hundred extinct volcanoes are found here, many of whose craters, rims and slopes can be explored. It is a terrain quite unlike any found in Britain. THE TRAVERSE OF THE HIGH AUVERGNE is a ten or fifteen day mountain walk visiting many of the principal sites of the Auvergne. An easy ascent of the Puy de Sancy, at 6183ft the highest peak in the Massif Central, is included as well as a traverse of the Puy de Dome and the principal summits of the Cantal mountains. THE TOUR OF THE VELAY, GR40, is a circular, 100-mile walk in the gentle hill country around Le Puy. An optional detour to Mont Mezenc, the highest peak in the Cevennes, is also described. The terrain, length and abundance of suitable accommodation make this an ideal excursion for those contemplating a walking holiday for the first time. There is ample time in a week or ten day holiday for a visit to the celebrated town of Le Puy itself. Details of accommodation, transport and other facilities are given, as well as practical information for newcomers to walking in France.

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More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 208
Edition: 01
Publisher: Cicerone Press
Published: 01 Jan 1992

ISBN 10: 1852840927
ISBN 13: 9781852840921

Author Bio
Alan has trekked in over twenty-five countries within Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa and Australasia, and for seventeen years led organised walking holidays in several European countries. A member of the British Outdoor Writers' Guild, he has written more than a dozen walking guidebooks, several on long distance mountain routes in France. His longest solo walks include a Grand Traverse of the European Alps between Nice and Vienna (1510 miles), the Pilgrim's Trail from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostela (960 miles) and a Coast-to-Coast across the French Pyrenees (540 miles). A Munroist and erstwhile National Secretary and Long Distance Path Information Officer of the Long Distance Walkers Association, Alan now lives at the foot of the Moffat Hills in Scotland, in the heart of the Southern Uplands. Alan's first encounter with the Southern Upland Way was in 1995, when he backpacked the full length of the trail. A decade later he repeated the complete trail a second time, this time mainly using bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation, in order to research this guidebook. He has travelled extensively on foot in most areas of the Southern Uplands, having climbed all of the Donalds and most of the other hills above 500m in height, and traversed them from south to north in 2003 as part of his walk between Land's End and John o'Groats.