Discovering the mountains as a family in Nevache
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationNévache / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions56.76 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Come and enjoy a family holiday in the mountains , in a pristine valley! This trip offers activities adapted to the pace of even the youngest children . Hike to encounter the wild animals that inhabit the valley, discover the joys of dog sledding, and, to end your stay in style, embark on a two-day hike with an overnight stay in a mountain refuge to experience a night in the mountains !
The highlights
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Mountain discovery for children
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A trip suitable for children aged 5 and up, perfect for a family holiday.
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Night in a mountain refuge
Photos
Sport
Level
Summer multi-activity
The expert's opinion
The activity days are adapted for children; everyone needs to be fit enough to walk for part of the day, at a slow pace.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 178 m
- Average daily descent: 175 m
Autre
- Average duration/day: 2h
- Average daily elevation gain: 50 m
- Average daily descent: 50 m
- Maximum altitude: 1600 m
Management
French
For a group of 6 to 14 people, you will be supervised:
Guided by a state-certified mountain guide for hikes.
By a professional musher for cani-hiking.
Program
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Welcome to Névache
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in at the hotel in the afternoon from 2 pm. Settle into your rooms. Information session and welcome drinks at 7 pm to introduce you to the week's program.
Day 1 -
Marmot hike along the Clarée
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A hike to meet marmots, these friendly and photogenic little rodents. A themed hike to learn as much as possible about the life of this iconic little animal of our mountains. We'll take the time to let them get used to us so we can see them up close!
Picnic by the river, and return to accommodation in the afternoon.
Day 2 -
Gourmet hike, picnic of local products
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Gourmet Hike: From the hotel, we'll follow a scenic route to do some shopping: goat or sheep cheese (depending on the chosen route), and sausages for our picnic barbecue. We'll taste the local cheeses and charcuterie, and then we can, for example, make some boats and watermills using tree bark and wood. Return to the accommodation in the afternoon.
Day 3 -
Dog sledding and cani-hiking
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 50 m
- Negative elevation 50 m
- Maximum altitude 1600 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, you'll meet the sled dogs: discover their kennel and the breeds of the pack, then set off on a cani-hike, a very fun activity. You'll be equipped with a wide belt and connected to the dog by a leash with a shock absorber, sharing special moments with the dog pulling you.
Free afternoon.
Day 4 -
Hiking and overnight stay in a mountain refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 360 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we pack our backpacks for two days. Then we hike up to the Chardonnet refuge where we'll enjoy the warm atmosphere of the late afternoon. We might play board games on the terrace or in the common room, observe the small wildlife in the surrounding area, or perhaps encounter the flock of sheep if they're nearby…
Day 5 -
High-altitude hike and return to the valley
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From the refuge, we can climb a little higher to observe the high-altitude wildlife in the magnificent Cirque du Chardonnet: large birds of prey and marmots, and perhaps even ibex or chamois through binoculars if we're lucky. Then it will be downhill to Névache and the end of your stay around 4 pm.
Day 6
Note
VERY IMPORTANT: The management reserves the right to modify the program for any reason whatsoever (weather conditions, and the fitness level of the participants on the day in particular…) in order to ensure a better running of your stay.
Accommodation
Welcome to the Hotel l'Echaillon, a haven of tranquility nestled in the heart of the Clarée Valley in Névache. At the Hotel l'Echaillon, you'll find the friendly atmosphere of a guesthouse combined with the comfort of a two-star hotel . It's a true "Hiker's Home," where you'll feel right at home. In this harmonious and unspoiled Clarée Valley, time seems to stand still, inviting you to contemplation and complete immersion in the surrounding nature.
The hotel is the ideal starting point for outdoor activities. Bordering the Roubion stream, you can venture out without a car and explore the surrounding area on foot . Just a short walk away, the crystal-clear waters of the Clarée River invite you to enjoy a moment of peaceful contemplation.
This former alpine chalet, rehabilitated and maintained by us since 1990, is surrounded by chalets forming the warm hamlet of Chalets de Buffère .
Access
Go to the starting point
From Paris, you have several options:
Either arriving from the Italian side via the TGV PARIS-OULX
From Oulx station, there are two ways to get to Névache:
In two stages, you need to take a bus to Briançon (Resalp line 76 - €7.50). Tickets must be purchased 100% online (at least 48 hours before your departure!). No tickets will be sold on board the bus. Purchase bus tickets on the websites www.ter.sncf.com or TER PACA
Direct line: there is also a direct private shuttle service between Oulx and Névache which operates by reservation only at a price of €20
www.bus-oulx-monginevro-briancon.com
Either arriving directly from Paris/Briançon, by night train or daytime trains
From Marseille or Valence, there are direct TER trains to Briançon .
To travel from Briançon to Névache:
Either by regular shuttle (July - August). Roubion stop 350m from the hotel.
Information and timetables are available at https://www.autocars-resalp.com/lignes-horaires/briancon-nevache
You can take a taxi for approximately €75 (excluding July and August or shuttle hours), ideally in a group depending on the schedule. Please let us know your arrival time when you book.
Don't hesitate to call us, we'll help you with your application!
You can drive to the hotel, where there is a large parking lot. We'll keep this description brief, given that in this modern age, GPS is standard equipment in our cars and on our phones.
From the south, you go up the Durance valley to reach Briançon.
From the north and west, you can, like cyclists, take the Lautaret Pass and its spectacular views, or choose the comfort (and the price) of crossing into Italy via the Fréjus Tunnel, a road version of the ambitious railway project of the mid-18th century. Consider carpooling!
Price details
The price includes
- Organization and supervision costs
- The night in a mountain refuge
- The cani-hiking activity
- Full board on day 1, dinner on day 6 after the picnic
- 1 access to the wellness area
- The transfers scheduled in the program are in addition to personal vehicles.
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Additional access to the wellness area (€8 per session)
- Round-trip transportation to Névache
- Cancellation, assistance, repatriation and trip interruption insurance
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
- 1 soft-framed backpack (40/45 litres) for parents, 1 bag (10/15 litres) for children
- 1 large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack
- 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses
- 1 sunscreen and protective lip balm
- 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5L minimum)
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to hold your money, ID card, health insurance card and assistance contract
- 1 small roll of toilet paper, tissues
- 1 airtight plastic container (minimum capacity 0.3 liters) + cup + cutlery, for picnics
- 1 headlamp or flashlight
- One sleeping bag liner for the night in the mountain hut. Sleeping bags are unnecessary.
- Earplugs or earplugs
Clothing to bring
Clothing: for the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:
- A technical, long-sleeved T-shirt made of breathable material.
- A fleece jacket or a lightweight down jacket
- A waterproof and breathable windproof jacket such as Gore-Tex, or a K-Way or a rain poncho
During the hike, in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In case of rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is essential. These three layers should always be in your backpack, as mountain weather can change very quickly. Also, pack a pair of well-fitting, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and Vibram soles. Remember to try on new boots or those that haven't been worn for a long time before setting off. Don't forget your swimsuit if you plan to swim in a lake or stream.
