The Wolves Trek across Italy and France

Night falls on the Maritime Alps, the last light has been swallowed up by the surrounding mountains. We're snuggled in the warmth of out tent in a wild countryside, when man is no longer at the top of the food chain... instead it's the wolves. This is the truly fascinating aspect of this magnificent trek called "Trekking del Lupo", the Wolves trek.

The trek is an extremely beautiful round trip which follows in the "footsteps of the wolves" through two natural parks and their pristine ecosystem: the Italian Maritime Alps park in Piemonte and the Mercantour Park in France. After years of absence, both these habitats have recently been re-inhabited by packs of wolves.

Night falls on the Maritime Alps, the last light has been swallowed up by the surrounding mountains. We're snuggled in the warmth of out tent in a wild countryside, when man is no longer at the top of the food chain... instead it's the wolves. This is the truly fascinating aspect of this magnificent trek called "Trekking del Lupo", the Wolves trek.

The trek is an extremely beautiful round trip which follows in the "footsteps of the wolves" through two natural parks and their pristine ecosystem: the Italian Maritime Alps park in Piemonte and the Mercantour Park in France. After years of absence, both these habitats have recently been re-inhabited by packs of wolves.

What renders this trek unique is the fact that the start and finish are located in two centres specialised in illustrating the life, habits and the history of this magnificent animal.

The first is the fauna centre at Entracque called “Uomini e Lupi”, men and wolves which offers not only a museum but also the possibility to view a couple of wolves in a pen just above the centre.

The second is located in France at Le Boreon and is called “Alpha Loup”. This too has a musem and also numerous vantage points to observe the wolves in the nearby forest.

The trek described here, walked for the first time ever in summer 2011 thanks to a collaboration with the Maritime Alps Natural Park, Ferrino and Nikon Italia, is circa 75km long and passes five spectacular cols at circa 2400m, passing the famous road "Strade di Caccia Reali" built for king Vittorio Emanuele II.

The trek starts at S.Giacomo di Entracque in the Marittime Alps Natural Park and crosses varied terrain, past grandiose lakes, forests and waterfalls. Apart from the lush fauna, you can also catch sight of the wolves' prey: chamois and deer.

The trek can be carried out autonomously with a tent (bivvying allowed) or by using the huts located at the end of each stage. Rifugio Regina Elena is private and offers not only accommodation but also the possibility to cook your own food.

- THE WOLVES TREK