Trek with donkeys along the transhumance paths (Ubaye)
Duration : 6 days
France, Southern Alps
Level : for families used to walking, children aged 7 and over
from 710 € / p. from 6 to 12 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
I offer you the chance to hike with donkeys along transhumance paths, discovering the Ubaye valley, in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
During these 5 days of hiking in the company of donkeys, you'll experience breathtaking scenery: lush green valleys, majestic mountains over 3000 meters high, sparkling glaciers, pine forests, alpine meadows, not forgetting turquoise lakes and roaring waterfalls... This region is full of typical villages where stone houses, picturesque churches and local craft traditions immerse us in a warm and friendly atmosphere of yesteryear. For lovers of flora and fauna, Ubaye is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity: from chamois to marmots and golden eagles, we'll have the chance to observe several species emblematic of these mountains.
On average, stages last from 4 to 5.5 hours walking per day.
Our route follows the GR69 "La Routo®". La Routo, from the Occitan far la routo, to transhume, is a Franco-Italian project aimed at developing territories around the practice of transhumance and roaming tourism. It is the result of more than ten years of exchanges between the Maison de la transhumance (Salon-de-Provence) and the Unione Montana Valle Stura (Piedmont, Italy), and aims to set up and run a cross-border itinerary and network linking the Crau plain to the Stura valley.
This trek can be a continuation of our 4-day donkey trek in the Southern Alps.
If you like the idea, I also offer family treks with donkeys in the Vercors and Baronnies regions, as well as a stay to celebrate transhumance in the Diois.
Program
D1: La Condamine.
Arrival around 5pm in La Condamine, about 20 minutes' drive from Barcelonnette.
Meet the group, the donkeys and the guide.
Accommodation and evening meal in a gîte in La Condamine.
D2: La Condamine - Saint-Ours (1750m).
Today we join the GR®69 "La Routo", a hiking route of over 500 kilometers based on ancient transhumance routes, linking the plains of Camargue and Crau to the Stura valley in Italy. We enter the territory of Upper Ubaye.
Distance: 11 km, positive altitude difference: 1000 meters, negative altitude difference: 500 meters, 5.5 hours of walking.
Overnight in an inn.
D3: Saint-Ours - Lauzanier hut (1700m).
We continue our exploration of the Ubaye valley. From Saint-Ours, we pass close to Val d'Oronaye in the Mercantour National Park. Our route then takes us to the Col de Larche in the Oronaye valley on the French-Italian border, before reaching the Lauzanier hut.
Distance: 9 km, D+: 300m, D-: 400m, 4 hours of walking.
Overnight in a mountain refuge.
D4: Lauzanier hut - Ruburent lake (2400m).
From the hut, we take the path into the Mercantour Park. We head for Oronaye lake and the Ruburent pass, on the border with Italy. We reach the bivouac site on the banks of Ruburent lake. You're sure to see marmots and chamois. A magical night on the border between France and Italy!
Distance: 13 km, D+: 850m, D-: 100m, 5.5 hours of walking.
Overnight bivouac.
D5: Ruburent lake - Becchi Rossi hut (1900m).
We leave Ruburent lake in the direction of Argenteras and Berzesio, before climbing back up to Ferrere, passing over the heights of Bersezio with beautiful views over the Stura valley lined with peaks. We reach the Becchi Rossi hut in Ferrere for a well-deserved break after a long day's hiking in Italian territory.
Distance: 14 km, D+: 400m, D-: 900m, 5.5 hours of walking.
Overnight in a mountain hut.
D6: Becchi Rossi hut -Pontebernardo (1400m).
From the Ferrere hut, we head for Beccho Rosso (2261m) before descending to Pontebernardo for the end of our adventure!
We can visit the Pastorizia eco-museum before transferring back to La Condamine (or Le Vernet) in the late afternoon.
Distance: 10 km, D+: 500m, D-: 1000m, approx. 4.5 hours of walking .
End of circuit around 6.30pm.
The price includes
- Supervision by the mountain leader with extensive knowledge of donkeys.
- Full-board accommodation.
- Pack donkeys and their equipment.
- Transfer from the arrival point to the departure point in the late afternoon on the last day.
- Rates:
- Adults: 800€.
- Children aged 7 to 12: 720€.
The price does not include
- Transport to and from La Condamine.
- All drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Cancellation, assistance and repatriation insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in "Price includes".
Accommodation
- 1 night in a lodge.
- 1 night in an inn.
- 2 nights in a mountain hut.
- 1 night in a bivvy.