The extensive mountain ranges
that make up the European Alps form a rough arc
above Northern Italy,
beginning in the Maritime Alps in the South of France and stretching
eastwards into northern Italy,
through Switzerland
and Austria and
into Slovenia in the
east. The peaks form clusters of sub-ranges that include the Dolomites, the Bavarian
Alps, the Chablais alps and many more, rising to 4,808 metres at Mont Blanc, the highest peak
in Europe, at the point where France, Italy
and Switzerland
join together.
Up
to 100 million people a year travel to the Alps
to enjoy the exhilaration of its fantastic walking, hiking and climbing
opportunities. Whether you wish to trek across alpine foothills, hike
across rugged terrain or tackle the most strenuous climbs, popular
trails have been tried and tested and have proven to take intrepid
outdoor enthusiasts to the most beautiful parts of the mountains and
national parks. Those who plan their trip carefully will be rewarded
with spectacular views of lush forests, clear mountain lakes and
snow-capped mountain peaks. In general the hiking season starts in
July, when patchy snow is least likely to limit your routes. This is
also the best time of year to appreciate the alpine flora and increase
your chances of spotting wildlife and birds.
For
independent walkers and hikers embarking on their own alpine adventure,
a number of publications list official trails with detailed
descriptions of distances, terrain and essential amenities to expect to
find along the way. So whether it be a trek across the low lying Bernese Oberland or
the challenge of Mont Blanc,
these guides can prove an invaluable companion. Alternatively, many
specialist travel companies offer tailored trips with excellent
itineraries designed for all levels of fitness. These routes usually
encompass breaks and overnight stays in huts or trailside lodges which
are a welcome safe haven with comfortable beds, wholesome food and the
all important walkers` cameraderie. If you are looking for a complete
experience of the European
Alps, you might want to consider the
Via Alpina trail, the first trans-Alps trail, which allows the more
adventurous hiker to trek 3,100 miles, crossing borders no less than 44
times in the process.
It
is essential if you are planning a particularly strenuous hike, to
prepare well in advance by steadily increasing your fitness levels, and
try some high level walks beforehand in the UK.
If you`re still up for the challenge, ensure you travel as light as
possible and that any weight you do carry is distributed evenly across
your body. Wearing plenty of warm but breathable layers is the key to
staying comfortable in the mountains, with the help of snow gaiters,
some appropriate footwear and a balaclava to protect the head and face
from the elements. For those who take this sport seriously, Berghaus
offer an extensive range of outdoor clothing with the latest in
weatherproof fabric technology to provide the best possible protection
from the most intense weather conditions.
Webtogs
is an ecommerce site selling a wide range of outdoor clothing, gear,
and footwear across all the major UK brands such as North Face,
Merrell, Keen, and Craghoppers. It was co-founded by Philip
Wilkinson, founder of Shopgenie and Kelkoo UK, and is based in Dorset,
England. The site concentrates on it`s motto of `doing the
basics right` through Zero Hassle returns if someone has the wrong
size, multi-angled high resolution product images, first class customer
service, and an option to offset the carbon on any delivery charge.
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