8 day Snowshoeing itinerary
The Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys are situated just on the edge of the Ecrins National Park and are rarely visited and remain one of the true winter wildernesses and wildlife refuges of the Alps.
There are numerous possibilities for snow shoeing 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 week 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 metre 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 you'll spend half a day walking along the valley 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 week, 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!
Half day snowshoe walk through forest ending up at a high altitude chalet for mulled wine
St Leger Les Melezes is a beautiful little ski village situated half way up the mountain in a forest of larch trees (melezes - is larch in french).
There is a whole network of forest tracks and trails criss crossing the mountain side with magnificent views over the Champsaur valley and of the Vieux Chaillol mountain (Champsaur's highest mountain).
This walk can be as strenuous or relaxing as you like - it is very easily adaptable. There are steep paths going all the way up to the summit of La Cuchon or gentle traverses of the forest - you can decide on the day!
It's best to do this walk as an afternoon.... and finish it in the high altitude chalet hidden away in the forest! After a few hours of fresh air and exercise a glass of mulled wine or cup of steaming hot chocolate will be just the ticket!
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 beautiful 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 winer 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.... all extremely beautiful and breathtaking!
Again there are several options for getting tot he lake, some involve a bit of a climb and some involve a simple traverse - we can decide on the day what you fancy!
Half day snowshoe through a classic alpine village and in to the Ecrins National Park
Starting in Prapic, an ancient farming village, still habited all year round by about four families, with classic alpine architecture and village lay out - very pretty.
After the village you walk in to the Ecrins National Park through a beautiful classic u shaped valley. There are choices for exactly where you go - up on to a plateau or following the river, but which ever way you choose you'll be rewarded with stunning scenery.
At the top of the valley there is a waterfall (usually frozen in winter) called the Saut du Laire which means 'jump of the thief' - it has an interesting little folk tale associated with it that your guide will be only too pleased to tell!
The way back passes a quaint little chapel situated all on it's own in the winter wilderness - a reminder of the religious heritage of this valley!
Full days snowshoe to the summit of the Vieux Chaillol at 3163 m - a big day out (about 8 - 9 hrs)
This is the last day challenge to put your snow shoe legs to the test!
The Vieux Chaillol is the highest peak of the Champsaur valley- it's the mountain on our logo in fact!
It's a stunning walk starting at 1600m in the ski village of Chaillol - it's not cheating to take the chair lift up to gain a bit of height - so generally we do that if we can!
After the chair lift the route takes you through mixed woodlands up to Col de La Pisse, where in summer you can see the ruins of the Canal du Malcros - an engineering feat of Napoleon and his men to divert water from the malcros glacier in to the Champsaur valley.
From the col you have amazing views over the Chamosaur valley and into the Molines valley - a very remote and uninhabited wilderness!
This is also your first get out point if you think you have gone high enough!
You follow the canal route up to the col de Cote Longue where the workers' cabin has been carefully restored and from where you can see into the Champoleon valley - another wild place!
After that, you can either go back down or complete the challenge to the summit.
From the col it is a reasonably steep walk up to the summit over an open snow field, where you will be rewarded with views over the dramatic Ecrins Massif.
Surrounded by so many wild habitats it is not unusual to see chamois and ibex on this snow shoe walk so keep your eyes peeled!
After you have patted yourselves on the back for reaching the summit, it is all down hill for nearly 1200m! lots of fun!!
There are several 'get out' points, though so don't worry if you aren't up for it!
Return Home
This is the sad day when we have to say goodbye :( but hopefully it will be more a bientot than aurevoir!
If we are driving you to the airport, we'll come and collect you at the arranged time. Otherwise the day is yours.
