Provence from the Alps to the Sea – 6 Days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

TERRAIN

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available from March to mid November. Please note there will be an additional supplement if you book in the last week of May to coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix. Please speak to one of our friendly destination consultants if you’d like more information.

HOW TO GET THERE AND

Travelling to the Start of the walk

The walk starts in Sospel at your first accommodation and ends in Menton on the final morning at your accommodation. Please refer to your itinerary. You will need to get yourself to Sospel, most likely from Nice, and we will pick you up from the Sospel station- so let us know when you will be arriving before departure.  From the end of your walk, you will need to organise your travel away from Menton. . To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

By plane and rail: The easiest option would be to fly into Nice and then catch the train from Nice to Sospel. There are many airlines that fly from Paris to Nice. Below are possible websites that provide a number of different carriers to choose from.

https://www.kayak.com/flights 

www.google.com/flights

The train from Nice to Sospel will take around 1hr and will cost around €9.50 or AUD$ 15. Please find below ways to book.

Trainline.com: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times

TGV: https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv

By rail: It’s also very easy to catch a train from anywhere in France to Sospel. The fastest service is the TGV intercity high-speed rail service. This journey takes about 9 hrs with a connection at Nice. It will cost anywhere from €25 to €100 depending on booking conditions and the class of service chosen.

https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv

You can buy a ticket when you get there, however, we recommend pre-booking your tickets online.

Travelling from the End of the walk

By rail: The train from Menton back to Nice takes around 40 min and costs around €5.50 or AUD $9.00.

https://www.thetrainline.com

https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv

By plane: There are many airlines that fly from Nice to Paris. Below are 2 websites that provide a number of different carriers to choose from.

https://www.kayak.com/flights

www.google.com/flights

WALKING

The walk is moderate with some small ascents. Full-day walks average about 13km with 4.5 – 6 Hours of walking each day. There is plenty of opportunities to add more walking if you’re up for it. The walking is over very old well-maintained paths via the most scenic pathway to the coast. This is a beautiful area with many fabulous historic attractions on top of the fabulous walking routes. We highly recommend that you incorporate some extra time after the walk to rest but also to fully immerse yourself in Provence and the Cote d’Azur.

For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice in our FAQ section.

WEATHER

From March the temperature begins to rise so be prepared for warmer days if you walk in summer. Shoulder season is by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of having fewer people around in the villages and on the coast (we walk away from the populated areas on the walk so crowds are not an issue.)

See the weather information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.