Hiking in the heart of the Cervières valley amidst autumn colours
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Cervières
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions71.97 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
In a few words
Let yourself be seduced by the magic of Indian summer in the heart of the Cervières valley . Nestled at the foot of the mythical Col d'Izoard , this wild territory offers a striking natural spectacle where time seems to stand still.
This leisurely hike guides you through forests of vibrant larch trees . In autumn, these iconic trees of the Southern Alps adorn the mountains with golden hues, contrasting with the ochre tones of the high-altitude pastures. Between snow-capped peaks and secluded valleys, you'll discover a unique diversity of landscapes , perfect for a complete escape.
Far from the summer bustle, immerse yourself in the absolute serenity that reigns in these unspoiled landscapes. The calm is broken only by wildlife: keep your eyes peeled for a bird of prey in flight or listen to the whistle of a chamois . Each route promises wonder and tranquility , offering an authentic immersion in majestic nature. An unforgettable sensory experience for lovers of wide-open spaces and autumn hikes.
The highlights
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Landscapes with vibrant colors
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The mountain all to ourselves…or almost!
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Family-run and friendly accommodation in an inn in the heart of the valley
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Please remember that you must be able to participate in this program. You can contact us with any questions you may have about the program and the required skill level. Any information about you that could affect your participation in this program must be communicated to us.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 13 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 601 m
- Average daily descent: 601 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
English
French
Whether still wearing my mountaineer's cap, passionate about hiking, or my chef's hat , in Cervières, Burgundy, Iceland, or elsewhere, I invite you to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere !
Our partner is based in Cervières, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. In every season, they invite you to discover extraordinary and unspoiled natural spaces, combining adventure, comfort, and enjoyment, all while respecting your fitness level and desires. Join them for a hike and immerse yourself in breathtaking nature, letting yourself be captivated by its beauty!
At the heart of its approach: exchange, sharing and conviviality, with the desire to combine tourism and respect for the environment.
Program
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Welcome and presentation of the stay
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 5pm at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Lieu-dit le Laus (1750 meters altitude). Hamlet in the commune of Cervières located 12 kilometers from Briançon, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard.
Settle into your rooms and then, at 7pm, a welcome drink will be offered, an opportunity for your guide to tell you more about the course of the stay and also to share a convivial moment.
Day 1 -
Piedmontese stroll
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 22km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A warm-up walk in the Italian Piedmont, via the Col de Bousson (2154m) or the Col de Chabaud (2213m). They were once, due to their low altitude, the link between the Escarton d'Oulx and that of Briançon, or a place of passage favored by smugglers of all kinds.
Day 2 -
The Lake of Ropes
- Transportation Minibus - 00h40 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We will hike to Lac des Cordes (2446m), located in the heart of the communal alpine pastures. We will cross the Col des Marsailles (2601m), situated at the foot of the Pic de Rochebrune, to reach the hamlet of Les Fonts de Cervières. The return journey will follow the Vallée des Fonts, dotted with numerous alpine hamlets. We will be able to admire chalets with their typical architecture and discover a still well-preserved form of traditional agriculture.
Day 3 -
The Chenaillet massif
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 15km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 555 m
- Negative elevation 555 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This hike will take us to discover the Chenaillet volcanic massif, formed of striking rocks with unusual green hues. The trail winds through a constellation of small lakes, leading to the largest of them: Lac Gignoux (2329m), overlooked by the summits of Grand Charvia and Cime Saurel. Along the way, we will pass the ruined Fraches chalet, the last vestige of an old, abandoned summer hamlet.
Day 4 -
The Chalets of Izoard
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Starting from the hamlet of Laus, we cross the Bois de Péméant along the mule track to the Chalets d'Izoard (2120m), a small, ruined alpine hamlet. We will discover a magnificent high-altitude meadow leading to the Col des Ourdeïs (2420m), from where we will have a splendid view of the highest peaks of the Queyras Regional Natural Park.
Day 5 -
The hamlets of the Alp
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 17km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We will set off to explore the hamlets of Alp, small clusters of old mountain chalets that still powerfully bear witness to the harshness of agricultural life in bygone days. Our path will lead us to the Col de Peyre Moutte, from where we will have a final beautiful view of the Vallée des Fonts. The return journey will be along a winding little military trail.
The stay ends after the walk, around 2:30 pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
Day 6
Note
We reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snow cover, participants' physical condition and technical level, the guide's preferences, etc.). These modifications are always made in your best interest: for your safety and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Accommodation
You will be accommodated at the Auberge l'Arpelin, an 18th-century building converted into a friendly and family-run guesthouse, located in the hamlet of Laus at an altitude of 1750 meters, in the heart of the mountains and at the foot of the famous Col d'Izoard.
Free parking is available in front of the hostel.
Regardless of your mobile network operator, your mobile connection should be good. Wi-Fi access is free and available.
Subject to availability , it is possible to arrive before the start date of your stay and depart after the end date. You can select these options when booking.
No registration or special request from you will be processed directly by the accommodation provider, who is not responsible for the scheduling or organization of this stay. Room allocation and other accommodation details are handled exclusively between the hotel and us. Thank you for your understanding.
Access
The stay begins on Day 1 at 5pm at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Lieu-dit le Laus, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. Check into your rooms and then, at 7pm, a presentation of the stay will be held over drinks.
The stay ends on day 6 after the last walk, around 2:30 pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Briançon station at 3:10 pm at the latest.
Go to the starting point
The main source of fine particulate pollution in our mountains is the combustion of fossil fuels generated by cars, particularly during the holiday traffic.
That is why we are doing everything we can to welcome you at Briançon station.
🚂 Briançon SNCF train station
From the north, on the Paris-Lyon-Valence-Briançon or Grenoble-Gap-Briançon line
- Daytime trains: TGV then TER
- The direct night train from Paris-Austerlitz is the most convenient for people coming from northern France.
From the south, on the Marseille-Briançon line (TER)
🚂 Oulx SNCF station (Italy)
TGV Paris-Oulx on the Paris-Turin-Milan line then Oulx-Briançon shuttle.
For those arriving by train and wishing to use our free shuttle service, we will meet you on Day 1 at 6:50 pm at Briançon train station, in the parking lot to the right as you exit the station hall. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free shuttle option when making your reservation.
If your train arrival time doesn't coincide with the shuttle's arrival time, you'll need to take a taxi to get to the hostel. We recommend contacting Transalp Taxi at 06.81.69.88.39; the fare is approximately €45.
Landing at Turin Airport is a convenient way to reach the Briançonnais region. Linkbus (www.linkbus-alps.com) provides direct, non-changeable shuttle services between Turin International Airport (Sandro Pertini di Caselle) and Briançon train station.
🚘 From the North: Grenoble - Col du Lautaret - Briançon - Cervières. If the Col du Lautaret is closed, you will have to go via the Col Bayard and Gap. You will then reach Briançon from the south.
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Embrun – Briançon - Cervières.
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Cervières.
You can park all week in the hostel's free parking lot.
Important :
- The Fréjus tunnel is a toll tunnel. If you plan to return via the same route, purchase a 7-day return ticket (information and prices at www.sftrf.fr).
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a state-certified mountain guide.
- Accommodation in a family-run hostel and in a shared room
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 6
- The tourist tax
- The round-trip shuttle from Briançon train station
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks and personal expenses
- The supplement for a single room (subject to availability)
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Free shuttle between Briançon train station and the Arpelin hostel : CHF0.00 / unit
- Single room (subject to availability) : CHF182.96 / unit
- Half-board extra before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / unit
- Half-board extra after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
For hiking:
- hiking poles
For picnics:
- fabric bags and towels
- containers for soups and salads
- spoons
- thermoses for hot drinks
- cups
For accommodation:
- bath towels
Equipment to bring
- A medium-sized backpack (30 to 40 liters) for the day's essentials (water bottle, warm clothes, binoculars, camera, etc.) and a picnic lunch. Straps for attaching snowshoes are often a welcome addition.
- a rain cover to protect belongings in case of snowfall
- an insulated water bottle preferably (1.5 liters minimum)
- a pocket knife
- a pair of highly protective sunglasses
- a tube of sunscreen and a lip balm, both very protective
- a waterproof pouch for carrying your important documents
- Optional: a camera, a pair of binoculars...
Clothing to bring
In autumn, due to the altitude, nights quickly become cold and days can be chilly, even when the sun is shining, thanks to the wind! The temperature range is therefore potentially significant at this time of year. Snow in the higher elevations is also possible, even though this region is characterized by a high level of sunshine. It also blends beautifully with the golden foliage of the larches!
If you are investing during a stay with us, we advise you to adopt clothing made of natural fibers (merino wool), which is warm, breathable and does not odor from perspiration.
For the day:
- Warm and breathable underwear, preferably made of merino wool.
- lightweight trousers and, possibly, waterproof over-trousers
- shorts
- a light and breathable merino or fleece sweater
- A not-too-thick down jacket for more intense cold weather.
- a windbreaker of the type Gore-Tex or Kway
- High or low hiking boots, depending on your preference
- a hat
- a cap or hat to protect you from the sun
- a pair of thin gloves
For the evening:
- spare clothes
- indoor shoes or slippers
- A pharmacy, stocked with essentials for treating everyday minor ailments. Consider foot care products (skin protectors, elastic bandages, and plasters) and, of course, your personal medications.
- toiletries
