Queyras Snowshoe Week

Photo 03-02-2017, 13 28 39 c

Photo 30-01-2017, 12 55 57

Photo 01-02-2017, 13 16 20

Photo 03-02-2017, 13 28 39 c

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Queyras Snowshoe Week

Spectacular mountain landscapes
Get off the beaten track and explore remote valleys and trails
Explore snow-covered high pastures and cols

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

Fully qualified and expert guide
Based in the charming village of Aiguilles
Airport transfers included (see itinerary)
Snowshoe equipment provided

Queyras Snowshoe Week: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' snowshoeing

Luggage delivery

Group size 4-8

Join: Turin airport / Aiguilles

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights in hotels

DIFFICULTY GRADING

5

Moderate

Queyras Snowshoe Week

The Queyras Regional Natural Park is considered one of the most beautiful in France. It lies to the south of the historic town of Briançon, a world heritage site, and to the west of the Italian border. It's a wild and rugged landscape with dramatic valleys, high pastures and ridgelines to explore. It is also a relatively unknown area, and it is unusual to come across other groups on the trails.

What to expect

For this trip we will be based in a charming 2* hotel in the lovely village of Aiguilles, with breakfast and dinner included. Our group will share ensuite twin rooms - single rooms may be available for a supplement, but must be requested well in advance.

Each day we will aim to cover around 6-10 kilometres, with ascents between 500 and 1000 metres, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. No prior experience of snowshoeing is needed, however, as the techniques are relatively simple, and easy to learn. If you have any questions at all about whether this trip is right for you, just ask.

Queyras Snowshoe Week: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Turin and transfer to Aiguilles

We offer a transfer for the group from Turin Airport, which will leave the airport at 16:30 hrs at the latest, but if you're not taking the transfer, and are travelling independently, we will meet at the group hotel in Aiguilles. We will have a trip briefing, followed by dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Day 2 - La Croix de Curlet

We will don our snowshoes for the first time and 'find our feet', before easing ourselves into the week with a trip up to the Croix de Curlet. From this vantage point we have great views of Saint-Véran and the Cirque de Clausis. We may descend via a different route, and will also aim to do some training on winter mountain safety. On the way back down we will stop for refreshments, before heading back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 5.5 hours

Distance: 7.5km

Altitude gain: +670m

Day 3 - Le Sommet Bucher

Today we will start by following a narrow valley on our way up to Saint-Véran, This pretty little village has the title of highest village in Europe, at a height of 2050 metres, and is fully inhabited all year round. We zig zag through the pine forests, to the Sommet Bucher. From here we enjoy a great view of the Col Agnel, which is on the Italian border and links the Queyras valley with the Piedmont area of Italy. As we descend we can stop for a well-earned coffee break in Saint-Véran.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 5 hours

Distance: 6km

Altitude gain: +554m

Day 4 - Col de la Crèche

Today we will head up to the Col de la Crèche, with beautiful views over the pretty hamlet of Château-Queyras. We start with a short drive up the mountainside to our starting point at les Meyries. A beautiful climb takes us through the pine forest, then above the treeline. From here we can see the dramatic ridge that leads to the Pic de l'Agrenier. As we swing round to the Col de la Crèche we enjoy excellent views of the region. and reach the summit ridge.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6 hours

Distance: 9km

Altitude gain: +640m

Day 5 - Alpages de Fontantie

Our journey today will take us from the trail head at Montbardon to the Alpages de Fontantie. These high mountain pastures are home to herds of cows during the summer months, but in winter the cattle are tucked up safely in their barns in the valley, leaving us to enjoy the peaceful and pristine white landscape. From the summit, at 2500 metres, we should also find great views over the Ecrins National Park.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 5 hours

Distance: 5km

Altitude gain: +743m

Day 6 - Crête de la Gardiole

Crête de la Gardiole, at 2656 metres, is the highest summit of our trip. We start with a short transfer to the village of Abriès, which will be the starting point for today's walk. We follow a beautiful valley to the hamlet of le Roux, then begin our ascent to the summit. There are stunning views along the way, and from the peak; this is certainly one of the highlights of the trip.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6 hours

Distance: 8km

Altitude gain: +910m

Day 7 - Col de Longet

On our final day we will climb to the Col de Longet at 2701 metres. We have some different options today. We can take a nice circuit route that starts in Saint-Véran, crosses the col, then descends to Fontgillarde, which is the last inhabited village before the Italian border. Alternatively we can take a smaller loop that starts and ends in Fontgillarde. The route we take will depend on snow conditions, but whichever we take, we can be guaranteed an excellent end to our snowshoeing adventure.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7 hours

Distance: 10km

Altitude gain: +800m

Day 8 - Departure day

Our trip finishes after breakfast. A transfer back to Turin airport is included, and will arrive at the airport in time for flights departing after 13:00 hrs.

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TRIP NOTES

Included