Wild snowshoeing stay in the Queyras

Description

Large areas of virgin snow, bright larch forests, small hamlets of mountain pastures out of time and exceptional sunshine: it is Queyras in winter, a small paradise for snowshoes hikers!

Based in the Arvieux valley, in a comfortable and friendly cottage, we will discover the four valleys of Queyras with very different characters. We will cross small high-altitude lakes, vast mountain pastures, rocky peaks and other more rounded peaks. Each hike will of course be an opportunity to discover the flora - even in winter !-, the fauna whose presence can be guessed by the countless traces it leaves of its passage and the very rich human heritage of this part of the mountain which sometimes seems to be a part of the world...

I also propose, throughout the winter and at the beginning of spring, other snowy escapades, such as this snowshoeing weekend between France and Italy, another snowshoeing weekend at altitude in the Queyras and, a little further south, a discovery of the wild Haute Ubaye with snowshoes.

Program

D1: Catinat Ridge and Lake Souliers.
After a short transfer from Montdauphin-Guillestre train station we will reach Arvieux valley for a first warm-up hike. From a small mountain hamlet you will reach through the old terraces of culture the lake of Souliers. From the lake you will climb quietly through the larch tree to reach the ridge of Catinat where you can see the famous Mount Viso! Fun descent to the car and transfer to Arvieux or we will settle in the cottage for the week.
Positive and negative altitude differences: 400 meters, 4 hours and a half of walking.

D2: Croix de Curlet.
It is through a beautiful open larch that you climb the summit of Curlet in the valley of  Aigue Blanche. From above, on a beautiful rounded ridge, the view is superb on the village of Saint-Véran below and the surrounding peaks in the distance.
D+ / D-: 500m, 5 hours of walking.

D3: Chalets of Médille.
New day, new valley! It is today in the valley of Haut-Guil that you will enjoy the famous powder of Queyras. From l'Échalp, last hamlet and end of the road you will join the plateau of the Médille from where you will enjoy a superb view of Mount Viso nearby. As everywhere in the massif the fauna is omnipresent and you may have the opportunity to observe chamois or ibexes enjoying the sun on the surrounding rocky ridges.
D+ / D-: 350m, 4 hours of walking.

D4: Chalets de Clapeyto.
At the bottom of the valley of Arvieux is nestled a little jewel for the snowshoers. A nice climb in the larch will allow you to join a first suspended valley which leads to the great alpine pastures of Clapeyto, vast bare areas where valiantly resist old cottages of larch summer pastures reddened by time. Postcard landscape with timeless atmosphere and fun downhill on the program!
D+ / D-: 500m, 5 hours of walking.

D5: Lake Miroir and Lac des Rouites.
You will enjoy the ski lifts of the small resort of Ceillac to discover two jewels of Queyras massif: Miroir lake and Rouites lake. At the foot of Font Sancte, the highest peak of the massif, these two small lakes are nestled above the forest in small perched valleys. High mountain atmosphere and change of scenery guaranteed!
Transfer to Guillestre-MontDauphin station at the end of the day.
D+ / D-: 450m, 5 hours of walking.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Lodging and reservation in lodging, in full board (picnic for lunch).
• Bearing of meals and overnight stays of the mountain leader.
• Equipment: snowshoes and hiking poles.

The price does not include

• Transport to and from Montdauphin-Guillestre train station, 30 minutes drive from Briançon and one hour from Gap.
• Snacks.
• Personal expenses: drinks, aperitif, etc.
• Liability, repatriation and cancellation insurance.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Accommodation in a comfortable cottage in a wild valley, room for 4 to 6 people, duvets provided, home cooking and local products, picnic for lunch.

• Share on twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Send by e-mail