Day 1 - Arrive in Névache

Our trip starts at the group hotel in Névache. The group will meet with the guide at around 7pm, who will brief you on the week ahead and answer any questions you might have. One single-timed group transfer from Turn airport to the hotel is included, details will follow closer to departure. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

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Day 2 - Névache's Haute Vallée

Today we’ll enjoy a pleasant introduction by exploring the Haute Vallée above the ancient hamlet of Névache. The traditional old homes and refuges along the route offer echoes of times gone by, when the locals and their herds would use the forest clearings and the high meadows to their advantage. ‘Transhumance' (the seasonal movement of communities and their animals) still happens here. We’ll view rocky peaks as we pick up a riverside route through the narrow valley, aiming for the Chalets de Fontcouverte. Energy permitting we might push on to Chalets de Queyrillin (1985m) with its ancient chapel. The Auberge La Fruitiere may well be open for some coffee and calories.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx. 5 hrs

Distance: 10km

Ascent: 450m

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Day 3 - Col de l'Echelle 

Known as Colle della Scala in Italy, this mountain pass is between Italy and France, connecting the Vallée de la Clarée with the Vallée Étroite. We’ll start our ascent from Roubion (1300m) and will climb steadily to 1762 metres, passing the ancient Chapel of Saint Hypolite, near Col the Notre Dame de Bon Secours (‘Our Lady of Good Rescue'). This is a delightful walk with panoramic views down across the town of Bardonecchia and across to Mont Thabor (2178m). In the snowy peace it’s hard to imagine it as a busy summer thoroughfare!

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Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx. 4 hrs

Distance: 10km Ascent: 462m

 

Day 4 - Les Acles

The Vallée de la Clarée offers abundant local routes such as the beautiful yet lesser-known Chalets des Acles. We’ll start out with a steep, tree-lined trail from Plampinet. We’ll continue past the Oratoire Saint-Roch to reach the farm buildings of Chalet des Acles, which cluster around the hamlet’s ancient church. We’ll picnic nearby and enjoy high-mountain views then descend back to picturesque Névache.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx. 4.5 hrs

Distance: 9.8km

Ascent: 400m

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Day 5 - Col des Thures

Our first target today is a high-mountain valley and combe up above Névache, silent without the grazing herds of summer. This leads us to the Col des Thures. We’ll begin in terrain that feels like a snow-covered Mediterranean region, with gnarled old trees and limestone outcrops and crags that echo more southerly climes. We’ll ascend steadily along a tree-lined route which leads us into a gorge with dramatic rock spires rising high above the pines. We’ll break free of the treeline to reach the col at 2194m, perched above the snow and ice-covered Lac Chavillon.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx. 6 hrs

Distance: 10.8km

Ascent: 600m

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Day 6 - Briançon and trek to the Refuge de Buffère

Our two-day, overnight adventure begins today. First, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Briançon. This walled city is the highest in France (with more than 2,000 inhabitants) at 1326m. Many of its buildings have heritage status and were designed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban. We’ll get underway proper by midday with a gentle climb to the rustic Refuge de Buffere. The trail is generally prepared in advance by snowmobiles. The refuge is renowned for its excellent, locally sourced produce and beers, and its homemade Génépi and Edelweiss liqueur! We’ll spend the night here. If conditions dictate, your guide may decide to take you straight up to the refuge, leaving Briançon for tomorrow.

 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

Walking: approx. 3 hrs

Distance: 4.5km

Ascent: 400m

 

Day 7 - Col de la Buffère

Today we’ll wake up in our cosy high-mountain refuge. After breakfast we’ll head for the Col de la Buffère which will reward us with panoramic views over the Ecrins massif. We’ll pick our way up through larch trees, soon reaching the more open terrain of a grand valley. We’ll follow a steady trail towards the Col de la Buffère (2427m) for a picnic lunch. Sated with food and views we’ll head back down for a warming drink at the refuge en route back to the village. (If we swapped things about yesterday due to weather, we'll head into Briançon today instead.) 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx. 6 hrs

Distance: 11.5km

Ascent: 350m

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Day 8 - Departure Day

Your Cloud 9 Adventure snowshoe week officially finishes after breakfast today, with one single-timed group transfer back to Turin airport included. 

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