Mountain Adventure Holidays
One of the very best areas in France to snowshoe in the mountains. The tiny ancient hamlet of Névache is situated in the Vallée de la Clarée, a truly beautiful base for a week of exploring the surrounding snowy summits and Cols.
The very name 'Névache' means 'snow covered' and the area is known for having the best snow cover in the Southern Alps. We also aim to spend one night in a mountain refuge which, in itself, is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the mountains 'up close' in all their glory.
Without doubt this is one of our favourite snowshoe destinations. It is one of those hidden gems that you stumble across and then wonder why on earth you haven't visited before. The community here is quintessentially French in terms of culture, food, and tradition. It is a quaint and ancient community that really does feel like a haven of tranquillity.
We meet this evening at our accommodation when your guide will be available to discuss the itinerary and answer any questions about the week ahead. Advice on how to travel to Nevache is given in the 'Arrival & Departure' section of the Trip Information.
We have a gentle introduction to this wonderful area as we devote time and energy to exploring the wonders of the 'Haute Vallée', or High Valley of Nevache. The Haute Vallée runs north west from the ancient hamlet of Nevache, with ancient communities and refuges dotted along the route. It is well known as a wonderful example of how local people have used the clearings in the forest and the open high meadows to their advantage. Making use of the landscape in a way that allows maximum benefit to the grazing herds. The ancient practice of 'transhumance' is still practised here where there is the seasonal movement of the people with the livestock.
Leaving Nevache behind us we will wander alongside the river while taking in the views of the rocky peaks which tower over us on either side of this long narrow valley. We will aim for the Chalets de Fontcouverte, and if conditions and energy allow it we may climb higher to the Chalets de Queyrillin which sit at 1985m (6510ft). At the Chalets de Queyrillin there is also an ancient chapel which is a popular hiking destination. We may stop for refreshments at the wonderful Auberge La Fruitiere which is often open during the winter providing refreshments to skiers and snowshoers.
Ascent: 450m (1476ft) Descent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we climb to the famous Col de L'Echelle which is a mountain pass between France and Italy, and is know in Italian as Colle della Scala. It connects the Vallée de la Clarée and the Vallée Étroite. We begin from the hamlet of Roubion which sits at 1300 metres (4264ft) and climb steadily to the high point at 1762 metres (5779ft). On the way we pass the ancient Chapel of Saint Hypolite, and then just before the Col the Notre Dame de Bon Secours, this roughly translates as 'Our lady of Good Rescue'. This is a really lovely walk and although in the summer months it is a busy mountain road, in the winter it is covered in a blanket of snow and is only accessible for those who make the effort to either ski or snowshoe to this panoramic viewpoint. Below us we have views to the town of Bardonecchia, and to our left a narrow valley dominated by Mont Thabor which reaches 2178 metres (7143ft).
Ascent: 462m (1515ft) Descent: 462m (1515ft) Distance: 10 km (6.3 miles) Duration: 4h00
There are many local routes in the Vallee de la Claree to choose from, such as the Chalets des Acles. This is a gorgeous valley which is less frequented than others. We begin at Plampinet where we take a steep but steady trail through the pines. On our way we pass the Oratoire Saint-Roch, and then reaching some clearings we arrive at the old farm buildings of Chalet des Acles which are grouped around an ancient chapel. After enjoying our picnic lunch and taking in those final high mountain views of this beautiful part of the world we will descend for our final night and cosy dinner in our ancient hamlet of Nevache.
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 9.8km (6 miles) Duration: 4h30
This morning we head for a high open valley in the mountains above Névache. In the summer months it provides grazing for the herds of cattle, but in summer it is a silent white world.
Our objective will be the beautiful high combe that leads to our ultimate goal the Col des Thures. The first part of todays snowshoe hike is like walking through a Mediterranean landscape covered in snow. We wander past ancient pine trees with their gnarled trunks, and past limestone outcrops and crags reminiscent of the terrain further south. We begin by following a side valley above Névache village where we climb steadily through the snow covered trees on an easy angled track. The trail eventually takes us along a gorge featuring stunning spires of rock rising above the pines. We then head up through the treeline allowing us access to the Col at 2194m (7196ft), which sits just above the snow and ice covered Lac Chavillon.
Ascent: 600m (1968ft) Distance: 10.8km (6.7 miles) Duration: 6h00
Today we begin our two day adventure in the mountains, but before our escape to the hills you have the opportunity to visit the walled city of Briancon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At an altitude of 1326 metres (4350 feet) it is the highest city in France, based on the French definition as a community with more than 2000 inhabitants. In 2008, several buildings of Briançon were classified as World Heritage Sites, as part of the "Fortifications of Vauban" group. They include the city walls, Redoute des Salettes, Fort des Trois-Têtes, Fort du Randouillet, and the Asfeld Bridge. They were designed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633–1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV.
We will return to Nevache by mid-day to begin our relatively easy climb to the Refuge de Buffère. The trail to this lovely rustic Refuge is normally very good as they use a snow-mobile to re-stock the Refuge and the path will be pressed down. A steady climb through the pines takes us to the refuge where we will be spending the night. The Refuge prides itself on its excellent meals made with local or organic food. It also likes to offer its guests locally brewed beers, perhaps some home made Génépi, or their delicate liqueur made from Edelweiss! Now, that's an interesting proposition Edelweiss liqueur?
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 4.5km (2.8 miles) Duration: 3h00
This morning we will leave our cosy Refuge and explore the ground beyond as we make our way to the Col de la Buffère. This is an excellent goal for our day in the mountains and one which offers fabulous views to the massif of the Ecrins mountains. We begin by wandering through the larch trees that are scattered just above the Refuge, however, the terrain soon opens out and we have a wonderful large valley to enjoy. The trail is very steady as it makes its way to the Col de la Buffère which sits at 2427m (7960ft) and where, weather dependent, we will aim to eat our picnic lunch. After savouring the views we will descend back to the Refuge for a hot drink before descending back to the village.
Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Distance: 11.5km (7.2 miles) Duration: 6h00
Today is your departure from this beautiful hidden gem of the Haute Alps.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. We are painstaking in our research to give you the best option possible and one that is good value. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
Our trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender.
With regard to the accommodation in Nevache, if you have requested a 'single' room, which will incur a supplement, then please note that 'single' rooms are very limited in number. Therefore if you are considering this holiday and would like a bedroom to yourself we would urge you to get in touch as soon as possible so that we can secure the best options. If you would like to know more about the accommodation please contact us.
We love this old Auberge which is right in the heart of the village of Névache. It dates back to 1780 and is built in traditional chalet style respecting the architecture of the region. It has a wonderful character and cosy ambiance. The restaurant with its vaulted roof is a wonderful setting for meals, and there is a fire for those chilly winter days. This really is a truly 'rustic' old world experience!
The auberge has a limited number of bedrooms and for this reason we urge early booking. The bedrooms have ensuite facilities of toilet, sink and showers. If the auberge is already booked then we will most likely stay at the Gite La Découverte.
Claudine, Olivier and their daughters have been welcoming travellers and walkers to their gite for more than 15 years. This family run accommodation is a cosy venue for our stay in the village. At La Découverte Claudine cooks tasteful and hearty dishes with fresh and seasonal products. Olivier is always available to provide information about walking or snowshoeing itineraries, weather forecasts, or local life.
The bedrooms are either twins or doubles with private facilities. The double rooms have a sink, shower and toilet, and the twin rooms have a sink, and shower. 'Gite' style accommodation is usually basic, but comfortable. In Nevache, due to the nature of this tiny community, there is very limited accommodation. We believe we have a good base for our week with Olivier and Claudine.
This really is a gorgeous Refuge and very comfortable. The Refuge prides itself on its excellent meals made with local or organic food. It also likes to offer its guests locally brewed beers, perhaps some home made Génépi, or their delicate liqueur made from Edelweiss! Now, that's an interesting proposition Edelweiss liqueur? Some bedrooms are available rather than the normal dormitory refuge style. This requires early booking on your behalf.
Arrival
There are various options for getting to the area. Briançon is the nearest large town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and itself worth visiting. It is about 30 mins drive from Névache.
If you fly to Turin, Italy, we will collect you at the airport, and take you to your accommodation. This will be at a time to suit the majority of the group, but no later than 16h30 on the arrival day. The transfer time is approximately 2h15.
You can also take the TGV train from the UK and from various major cities in Europe, to Briancon. From Briançon you can take a local bus or a taxi to your accommodation. Another major train station is at Oulx which on train timetables is often called Oulx-Cesana-Clavière-Sestrières, in Italy. This is serviced by the French TGV.
See Rail Europe and the Tourist Office, at Briançon, which gives various ways of getting to Briançon. From Briancon or Oulx you can take a local bus or a taxi to your accommodation.
Early arrivals can either wait at the airport, or if enough time allows make use of the 50 minute Turin Eco City Tour detailed on the Turin Airport website.
Departure
A transfer back to Turin airport, in Italy is included. We will leave your accommodation in time to reach the airport by 1100hrs. Your flight back from Turin should ideally be from 13h00 onwards on the departure day.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss flight and transfer times.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way.
In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F).
The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Items for your overnight in the mountain hut/refuge
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £280.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
On this trip you will spend one night in a remote mountain hut and on this night you will not have access to your luggage which will be left at your main accommodation. You will be required to carry just a few extra items in your rucksack for this overnight.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this.
Each evening you can choose to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2427m (7960ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Turin Airport, Italy |
