Trekking in the Alps and Trekking in Provence

Dévoluy, the Alps no-one has heard of, delivered again. What a place...lots of peaks, amazing dramatic scenery, and lots of late flowers. Hardly any marmots though....😢

Mont Blanc Walks...6 days of hiking, 10 fabulous people to hike with, amazing views and lots of flowers. Couldn't be better really!!

A week in the office. But since this was my Secret Provence trip I can't tell you where we went 🤣

A great holiday in Scotland. Wonderful weather and amazing scenery.

It's springtime in Provence ! Come and enjoy it with a hike with me

Winter nature

Provence early this morning....winter is great for the colours here

Spain for our holidays....just gorgeous. Wherever you go, wherever you hike, there are always so many interesting and beautiful things to discover.

It's a cold and wet day in Provence, and there is snow on Mont Ventoux. This is good....the olive trees are thriving, the rivers are full, the vines have finished producing grapes and can now rest a while and the vultures are returning after a summer of following the flocks of sheep to the Alps.
For us it's time to look to next year. I have a Classic Provence trip meeting 27 March 2024 for 6 days.
Come and discover my beautiful region and especially enjoy a day of vulture hiking...my favourite birds!

The summer season is finished and it's time to think about the future. My website has a whole new look and lots of new information...new venues, new photos and a different way of organising your trips. And in fact, a new name https://trekkinginthealpsandprovence.com/
Take a look....and then sign up 😉

Trekking in the Alps and Provence with Hilary Sharp Trekking in the Alps is a small friendly company offering guided walking holidays in Europe, with small groups led by Hilary Sharp, an experienced, qualified and knowledgable trek leader

I just finished a week in the Southern French Alps. Here's what one of my group had to say: "Thanks for organising my life for the last week. I really enjoyed the walks and loved being up high, and the occasional envelope pushing"
Lovely small group, good hikers, never had to wait, they were up for pretty much everything. Thanks guys !

Small groups are definitely the best 😂

For all those who were not able to join my Spectacular Vercors trip, this is half of what you missed....the rest will be in a second post, too many good moments!

Have you planned your summer holidays yet? If not, how about a fantastic summer hiking trip in the Alps? I am looking for at least 2 more people to join my Ecrins Walks, 6 days based in a wonderful mountain hotel doing day walks in the most impressive surroundings, with a 2 day finale at a high mountain refuge, situated right on the edge of the glaciated peaks.
Meet 22 July in Briançon.
If you're interested just send me a message or email me direct.

Great hiking conditions here these last few days. Not too hot and even some rain to freshen things up.
Baronnies Tourisme
Ventoux-Provence Tourisme

Just finished my new Provence trip, "Secret Provence", which took us into the Luberon and Alpilles Natural Parks. I have done masses of research forn this new venue and so I was really pleased that it went so well. There is so much to discover in these regions....from history to art to flowers to ancient ruins, never mind the hikes! Here's a few shots of the flowers to begin with. More to come
Parc naturel régional du Luberon
Parc naturel régional des Alpilles

Working....

Looking ahead to early June, I am busy planning the hikes for my Spectacular Vercors trip. Another new venue for this year, and the name says it all. This high plateau, created by soaring limestone cliffs, forms the foothills of the main alpine massif of France.
We'll enjoy amazing hikes with 360° jaw-dropping views. 2 hotel bases, at different ends of the range will allow us to explore the many hidden valleys, charming villages and remote high passes to the full.
All this in the context of a region steeped in history, from the prehistoric to the much more recent Resistance movement during the second world war.
This is such an exciting place to hike....come and join me! Details on my website (link in bio) or message me.

Another shot from the past, this time a rather spooky image of the golden madonna on the Monte Moro Pass, which is on the Tour of Monte Rosa trek. I wrote the Cicerone Press guidebook to this trek and whilst the guide is now out of print I still have a few copies if anyone is looking for this book

Just came across this shot from a few years ago of my clients doing some excellent PR work for Trekking in the Alps and Trekking in Provence

Looks like another beautiful day here in Provence Drôme Sud Provence Tourisme Baronnies Tourisme
I have limited places available for my Secret Provence hiking trip early April which will take us to the fabulous Luberon and Alpilles regions of Southern France. Join me to explore Provence at its best, home to Van Gogh and so many other artists.

Dreaming of spring time....won't be long now here in Provence Baronnies Tourisme

I don't write often enough on my blog....maybe this year I will post more publications....who knows 😉
But at least 2023 has one post
https://trekkinginthealps.blogspot.com/2023/01/whats-round-next-bend-will-right-trail.html

How exciting is it once you get past the 21st December and finally we gain a minute every day. Here in Provence, when it's sunny it's easy to think spring is coming.....probably it isn't quite yet but I am so happy every morning when the sun pops out over the ridge of the Rocher Saint Julien Baronnies Tourisme
Not long until we'll be into the best hiking season here, which is springtime. Check out my NEW Provence trip on my website www.trekkinginthealps.com

Happy New Year!
Lots of new trips are planned for this year, starting with a new spring trip in the Luberon Alpilles regions of Provence. The more i visit these places? the more I am impressed with the wealth of hiking, as well as the numerous historical and cultural gems, many of them hidden away, only to be discovered by those curious enough to take a look.
Message me to sign up for this trip!

Last week was pretty horrible here in Baronnies Tourisme - rain, snow on Ventoux-Provence Tourisme, damp, fog......but then the sun came back and the temps are rising. There are even flowers if you look! The precipitation has been great for the water situation and the Fontaine de Vaucluse, the biggest resurgence in France, has resurged again after months of being dry. So now we can enjoy the sunshine for a while!

The local vultures are back - always a great addition to any walk 🥾 here in Provence.
They tend to go further afield in the summertime ☀️as they follow the shepherds and their sheep 🐑.
Which 📷 do you like the best?

The days are getting shorter but there is still plenty of daylight to hike to the top here in Provence and the autumn light ensures beautiful scenery. I like the autumn, but you can't beat the long days of early summer. How about you, which is your favourite season?
Les jours se raccourcissent, mais il en reste quand même assez de temps pour monter voir notre beau paysage ici en Provence. Quelle est votre saison préférée pour faire les balades?
Baronnies Tourisme De la Drôme Provençale à la Drôme des collines

Today in Provence. Hard to believe it's nearly the end of October. The colours are beautiful and it's surprisingly green, perfect hiking weather.
Chez nous aujourd'hui. Difficile à croire que c'est presque la fin d'octobre. Les conditions parfaites pour les randos 😎

My book, Chamonix Mountain Adventures has just had its 3rd update and is out now. Available from Cicerone Press. If you're looking for a multi activity holiday in the Alps then get this!