5 Day Snowshoeing Itinerary
The Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys are situated just on the edge of the Ecrins National Park and remain one of the true winter wildernesses and wildlife refuges of the Alps.
There are numerous possibilities for snowshoeing in and around the area and this itinerary is just an example. In reality when you are here, the guides will decide where to go to make the most of the conditions of the day.
All our guides are fully qualified snow shoe guides with the french 'Accompagnateur en montagne' qualifications. They will have your safety and enjoyment as their priority through out the trip.
You can browse slide shows of some of the snowshoe walks in the area at
Undiscovered Alps Snowshoeing in the Alps Collection
If we are providing transfers for you, we would collect you from the airport or station. If not your accommodation will let us know when you have arrived. Either way, we'll welcome you at your accommodation and go through the holiday with you and bring your snow shoes to try on!
Depending on what time you arrive you can go for a short walk around the area, visit the local village or just relax in your accommodation and drink in the views!
Half day introduction to snowshoeing, winter wild life and snow safety.
The Champoleon valley is a wild winter wilderness frequented by chamois and ibex.
It is walled by 3000 meter peaks with a river along the valley bottom, a scattering of traditional alpine villages, trees and cliffs.
There are several walks to be done in this valley and the guide will decide on the day where will be best. You'll be looking out for signs of wildlife and if you're lucky you'll get to see the chamois frolicking in the snow.
This will be a gentle start to your holiday, to help you get used to wearing snowshoes and warm up your walking legs. The guide will also explain the safety of the mountains in winter - useful knowledge to have!
Full day snowshoe with picnic on the col (6 - 7 hrs)
This is a big but very rewarding day out up to the summit of La Piolit at 2484m.
This snow shoe walk starts off following the beautiful Rouanne valley from Ancelle. Then about half way up you start to climb, zig zagging through mixed forest with a view of a dramatic cliff face (Le Lauterat) across the valley.
Then as the woods start to thin you walk out on to open snow fields with magnificent views all around you. There are different routes to get to the summit, but the most popular is to go up to the col de la Pourachrere at 2173m.
As well as being a great picnic spot, this is also a good opt out point if anyone doesn't fancy going up to the top. You can sit and wait in the sunshine and enjoy the amazing views right over the Gapencais and Champsaur valleys.
Those who get to the summit will also see the Lac du Serre Poncon (biggest damned lake in Europe) in all its winter glory!
Then it is all down hill and on snow shoes you can slide, run, jump and generally have lots of fun getting down the mountain - the snow is very forgiving!
Half day walk through mixed forest and alpine snow meadows to a frozen lake
On a day of fresh new snow - this is one of my favourite winter snow shoe walks in the whole of the Champsaur valley.
Walking along the south facing side of the valley, the sun is with you all the way, sparkling off the snow.
The beech woods, with a layer of snow delicately balanced over their leafless tangled branches, the pine trees laden down with snow blankets just waiting to be pinged, the open meadows of virgin snow crying out for you to be the first to mark your tracks and finally the lake itself with its unique crystal formations, icicles and ice patterns.... I could go on but yes - all extremely beautiful and breathtaking!
Again there are several options for getting to the lake, some involve a bit of a climb and some involve a simple traverse - we can decide on the day what you fancy!
Return Home
This is the sad day when we have to say goodbye :( but hopefully it will be more a bientot than au revoir!
If we are driving you to the airport, we'll come and collect you at the arranged time. Otherwise the day is yours.
