Hiking
Hike to the Lac de Lauzon (1998 m.) to enjoy views of the Cirque glacière du Gioberney at the head of the Valgaudemar valley in the Écrins. The cirque is surrounded by a number of peaks of more than 3500 m. and their glaciers. A wonder to walk this landscape early after the snow melt when the footpaths become practicable again without technical alpinism.
More photos: Cirque glacière du Gioberney - Parc national des Écrins
Cabane libre de Boustigue, 1321 m.
Reached by an enjoyable hike from the Route Napoléon at Corps, hiking through forest then alpages, the Cabane libre de Boustigue enjoys a peaceful location at 1321 m. altitude, with idyllic views, particularly of the Grande Tête de l’Obiou (2790 m.) and the Lac du Sautet.
View of the Riviera from Plan de Lion (716 m.)
A satisfying and major linear hike parallel to the France-Italy border between Menton and Vengtimiglia. A long, steep climb up from the beach at Menton-Garavan to the frontier pass at 772 m. altitude on Mont Carpano.
More photos: Mont Carpano, Pointe de Nicioret (772 m.): GR 51-52
Worm Gill
Monks Bridge, River Calder
Murky cloud on the high fells so we hiked from Cold Fell to the River Calder and up Worm Gill, the name maybe because of the way the river's bed worms its way in to the fells.
Lovely to hear the calls of the Skylarks aloft almost continuously and their counterpart, the burble of the becks. Terrain reminding me of hikes, compass navigation and bivouacs on Dartmoor: long wide hills covered with marshy grass, reeds with occasional piles of stones; fast-running rivers fed by numerous becks. And the view forward to Samuel, leading, reminded me of a famous photo from the Falklands War. Elsewhere, a sign prominently warned that off-road motorbikes are not welcome on this route.
We walked up and out of this open country, passing a small herd of gorgeous Highland cattle just in time to catch the rat-race of the shift-change out of Sellafield on the moorland road over Cold Fell.
More photos: Cold Fell, Worm Gill & Upper Calder Valley - Lake District National Park
Summit elation after a hard hike and scramble up from the River Esk, initially following Spothow Gill uphill. Harter Fell trig point is on an outcrop at 649 m., the true summit is a higher outcrop at 653 m. altitude, which is reached after a tricky scramble.
Great views of Eskdale, Hardknott Pass, its Roman Fort and the central peaks in the spring sunshine but a bitter wind chill.
More photos: Harter Fell summits, Eskdale (653 m.) - Lake District National Park
