Trek between Ubaye and Val Maïra (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)

Description

Upper Ubaye and Upper Val Maïra have more in common than a border that separates them in two. On both sides, you find long wild valleys dominated by peaks over 3000 meters high, long and high cliffs of ocher limestone that stand out against the green pastures, lakes with crystal clear waters and a little something of Dolomites from the south which gives them this particular atmosphere.

This 6-days circuit offers you to go to discover the most beautiful and wild routes of these two high valleys off the beaten track. As always in Italy it is with a good and hearty meal that you will rest your tired legs every evening!

If you wish to hike on other itineraries in the southern Alps, I also propose throughout the summer :

• the tour of Haute Clarée by its most beautiful lakes,
• a discovery of the wild Dévoluy,
• the haute route of the southern Écrins.

Program

D1: Lake of 9 colors and Gypière pass.
From Fouillouse, small hamlet perched in Haute-Ubaye, we will climb between the Aiguilles and Brec du Chambeyron to the beautiful lake of nine colors and the Gypière pass. At 2927 meters above sea level the atmosphere is in the high mountains! The afternoon will be spent on the Italian side to reach the pretty stone village of Chiappera by the Black Lake and Stroppia waterfall trail.
Night in Chiappera.
Positive altitude difference: 1000 meters, negative altitude difference: 1300 meters, 6 hours and a half of walking.

D2: Rocca Provenzale and Monte Freide by the ridges.
Only with our backpacks for the day we will climb our most important positive elevation of the week to reach the summit of Monte Freide. An astute route through the ridges brings us to this superb belvedere on the Chambeyron massif and the high Maïra. Passage near the amazing Rocca Provenzale, large grassy valleys, aerial ridges, military remains of altitude and bucolic streams are on the agenda of this beautiful and long day.
Night in Chiappera.
D+ / D-: 1300m, 7 hours and a half of walking.

D3: Enchiausa pass and lakes of the Maïra springs.
Above the Maïra springs, two exceptional lakes are waiting for you on the way to the Enchiausa Pass, a suspended rock breccia with a mineral atmosphere. Descent in the pastures from hamlet to hamlet till the pretty village of Chialvetta and its friendly hostel.
Night in Chialvetta.
D+: 1200m, D-: 1000m, 6 hours of walking.

D4: Alpine pastures of Gardetta and Cassorso summit.
Change of atmosphere today and shorter day than the previous ones, in order to reload the batteries. First a pleasant climb to the pass of Gardetta and a little more technical to the summit of the Cassorso ridge that dominates the great pastures of the Gardetta. Superb view of the whole region, from the Viso to the Po valley and the Argentera.
Night at the friendly refuge of Gardetta arranged in a former military barracks.
D+: 1070m, D-: 450m, 5 hours of walking.

D5: Military trail of the passes, Roburent Lake, Orenaye, Larche.
Long crossing that begins with the road of cannons, an old military track carved in the seventeenth century through the valleys of Piedmont, along the border. Along this mountain route, the passes follow one another: Rocca Brancia, Oserot, Crocce Orientale, Peronni then Roburent above the beautiful lake of the same name. We then switch to the other side of the border, continue along a lake, cross a last pass, where you may see some ibex or bearded vultures, then a long descending grassy valley will gently take us in Larche for a well deserved rest!
Night at the Larche lodge.
D+: 850m, D-: 1400m, 7 hours of walking.

D6: Mallemort and Vallonet passes.
The day begins with a nice climb over Larche to reach Mallemort pass and its military remains. We will then cross a beautiful valley to reach the lakes and the Vallonet pass. A last picnic and we will go down the large valley of Plate Lombarde to Fouillouse.
D+: 900m, D-: 700m, 5 hours and a half of walking.

Meeting the first day in Fouillouse, town of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye at 9am. Parking at the entrance of the hamlet. Possibility of transfer from Guillestre-Montdauphin train station on request.

Separation the last day in Fouillouse at 4pm. Possibility of transfer to Guillestre-Montdauphin train station. Arrival at the station at 5.15pm.

Intermediate level: you already have a mountain hiking experience, you are in good shape and practice regular physical activity throughout the year. You are looking for a medium-level stay with beautiful hikes, sometimes demanding and long. Hiking days from 6 to 7.5 hours of walking with average altitude difference around 1000 meters. Routes on good mountain trails with sometimes a few more technical passages or off-trail without difficulties. If the stay is itinerant you must be able to carry a backpack of about 8kg.

NB: The program is given as an indication. I can modify it at any time, for safety reasons, depending on weather conditions, or in relation to the physical and technical level of hikers. The indications for the rise and stage times are given for information only.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Accommodation and reservation in lodging and mountain huts, full board (picnic for lunch).
• Bearing of meals and overnight stays of the mountain leader.

The price does not include

• Snacks.
• Personal expenses: drinks, aperitif, etc.
• Liability, repatriation and cancellation insurances.
• Transport to and from the meeting place.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Lodging in mountain huts and in lodges.
• Comfortable dorms, duvets or blankets provided. Hot showers.
• Meals cooked by the refuges, good and hearty (or very hearty, as often in Italy!). Picnic for lunch.

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