Hiking to discover Afghan walking
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationHautes-Alpes / Vercors Massif
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions47.97 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Let yourself be carried away by the serenity of a rejuvenating retreat where every step brings you closer to inner harmony. This 4-day immersion in nature introduces you to Afghan Walking , a practice paced by conscious breathing that rebalances body and mind. In the heart of peaceful forests, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you will rediscover a renewed sense of well-being.
Led by a caring guide, this small group retreat (maximum 10 people) fosters a connection with oneself and with nature. Each day combines gentle hikes , breathing workshops, and sharing time to cultivate mindfulness . Accommodation in authentic forest cabins enhances the experience of total disconnection and a return to what truly matters.
Ideal for those seeking to slow down , refocus, and revitalize their energy , this journey is a breath of fresh air to be experienced intensely. A suspended moment to reconnect with your breath, your rhythm… and yourself.
The highlights
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All-inclusive stay with no porterage
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A hiking holiday at your own pace, between Provence and the mountains
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Certified guide, instructor by "Ecole France Marche Afghane"
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 765 m
Management
French
I am a Mountain Guide,
Also a Coach in Afghan Walking, certified by "Ecole France Marche Afghane".
Every passion gives rise to a trek, in the Kingdom of joyful simplicity. The most beautiful adventures aren't necessarily the most distant!
The initial spark is the seed, the stay is the fruit! For a more convivial atmosphere, I limit groups to 10.
Program
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Veynes-Dévoluy SNCF train station > Agnielles
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 620 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the center of Veynes, a small, former mule track climbs the slopes of La Grésière through a Provençal landscape, bordered by broom, thyme, and Montpellier aphyllanthes. At the Col de Bertaud pass, you descend into the Durbon forest and reach the hamlet of Agnielles via an easy descent.
Afghan Walking: First notions on the techniques of Afghan Walking, you will try this new technique.
Elevation gain: +620m – Estimated time: 5h - 11 km.
Day 1 -
Agnielles > rabioux
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 840 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The Lauteret Pass is an ancient access route to the Dévoluy region. Even today, herds graze in the area, and griffon vultures make it a favored passage. Descending from the pass along a path winding through alpine pastures, the view is magnificent, overlooking some of the largest scree slopes in Europe!
Afghan Walking: We adopt 1 or 2 simple breathing rhythms, breathing is done through the nose with the corresponding posture.
Elevation gain: +840m – Estimated time: 7h - 15 km.
Day 2 -
Rabioux > the saviors
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Access to Les Sauvas via the Vallon fountain. Island of larches in the middle of the Combe de Mai in the heart of the Bure massif, in the kingdom of marmots and chamois.
Afghan Walking: A look back at the posture(s) that are synchronized with different breathing rhythms.
Elevation gain: +750 m - Estimated time: 5h30 - 12 km.
Day 3 -
Sauvas > Veynes-Dévoluy SNCF train station
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This last day from the Sauvas site towards the town of La Roche des Arnauds will be punctuated by the crossing of forests and balconies passing through the Conode and Matacharre passes.
Afghan Walking: You progress towards autonomy, adapting posture and breathing rhythms according to the nature of the terrain and gaining in the application of techniques and autonomy.
A shuttle will take the group back to Veynes-Dévoluy train station.
Elevation gain: +850m – Estimated time: 6h - 11 km.
Day 4
Note
Breakfast and dinner are taken at the accommodation.
Lunch will be in the form of a picnic. Your meals are prepared by local restaurants, prioritizing fresh and local produce to limit food transport, reduce carbon footprint, and generate local artisanal activity.
We try our best to accommodate special diets: food allergies, vegetarians, lactose-free or gluten-free diets...
Please let us know as soon as possible.
We offer routes in isolated areas where these demands need to be anticipated.
For the most restrictive diets, we recommend that you consider taking your dietary supplements.
Accommodation
Accommodation, dinner, overnight stay and breakfast in the Sauvas forest house in the old hamlet of Sauvas (1,343m altitude) which belonged until the Revolution to the Chartreuse de Durbon.
Access
Go to the starting point
Veynes-Dévoluy SNCF station is the stop for all trains coming from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Valence, Grenoble and heading towards Gap/Briançon.
Meet at the Veynes-Dévoluy SNCF train station (05400 Veynes)
- From Valence: follow signs for Crest > Die > Col de Cabre, then head towards Gap via the RD.994 to Veynes. (2h20)
- From Lyon: A.43 motorway to Grenoble, then A.51, RD.1075 towards Sisteron, then via RD.994 to Veynes (2h30)
- From Marseille: A51 motorway, Sisteron Nord exit, then D1045 to Veynes. (2h20)
- From Nîmes/Montpellier: exit Sisteron Nord, then D.1045 to Veynes. (3h30)
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a twin room
- Full board for 4 days/3 nights: from dinner on day 1 to lunch (picnic) on day 4. (Please bring your own picnic lunch for day 1)
- Drinks and snacks
- The presence of a state-certified mountain guide, qualified by the “École France Marche Afghane” (French School of Afghan Walking), to lead the hike, specializing in Afghan Walking.
- The presence of a logistics expert entirely dedicated to the group (for transporting luggage, opening and closing the cottages and preparing meals)
- Tourist taxes
The price does not include
- Day 1's picnic
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Massages offered by "La Croisée des Chemins"
- Round-trip transportation from your home to the meeting point (Veynes-Dévoluy SNCF train station)
Options
- 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 to bring
ESSENTIAL to facilitate luggage handling during the stay, managed by the logistics provider:
Please bring a backpack or soft travel bag per person, with a maximum weight of 10 kg.
For hiking:
- A sealed plastic container (capacity 1 litre) for packing picnics, knife, spoon and fork + a 1.5 to 2 litre water bottle + a cup.
- A 30/45 litre hiking backpack for day hikes.
- Walking sticks.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm.
- A garbage bag (will be used to waterproof your backpack or to keep your spare clothes dry).
- Your camera
For the evening:
- A flashlight (preferably a headlamp) with spare batteries.
- Toiletries, a towel, a change of underwear.
- Mini first aid kit with double-skin dressing, compress, disinfectant, bandages and paracetamol + your treatments if necessary.
Clothing to bring
For the day:
- A pair of low, flexible shoes that allow the ankle freedom of movement and have a good sole (like Vibram). Avoid wearing shoes that have never been worn.
- A waterproof and breathable jacket, poncho
- Comfortable trousers for walking, shorts and a tracksuit for the evening
- A fleece or a softshell jacket
- A moisture-wicking T-shirt (synthetic or wool)
- A pair of socks suitable for hiking
- A pair of thin fleece-type gloves, a hat, a cap
- A spare t-shirt (for having lunch in the dry)
For the evening:
- A comfortable tracksuit-style outfit, like jogging bottoms
- A down jacket
- A pair of indoor shoes, like slippers or Crocs
