Discovering the Upper Ubaye Valley on snowshoes
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationFrench Alps / Queyras Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions76.41 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
The undulating green of the forests, the cottony white of the high, hanging valleys, the myriad shades of grey and ochre of the imposing, jagged cliffs, and the pure blue of the Southern Alps sky. Welcome to the upper Ubaye Valley! This little-known region is well worth a visit!
We'll be hiking in a high mountain environment, staying on relatively gentle slopes surrounded by steep cliffs that shelter abundant wildlife. We'll be staying in quality accommodations nestled in charming little villages that feel like the ends of the earth.
This land of contrasts welcomes you without glitz or glamour, with its values of sharing and conviviality typical of mountain countries that have opted for gentle tourism, respectful of the natural environment.
The highlights
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A sunny and uncrowded mountain range
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A star-shaped holiday based from two welcoming accommodations
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A small, friendly group
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
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
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 566 m
- Average daily descent: 566 m
Management
French
English
Whether still wearing my mountain hat as a passionate hiker or my chef's toque as a lover of gastronomy, I invite you, in Cervières, Burgundy, Iceland or elsewhere, to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere !
To live a passion through one's profession, to travel the world, to discover, to share.
With my energetic and cheerful personality, I'm eager to share with you everything that inspires me when I hike. Open to others, I'm enriched by each encounter with you. See you soon on the trails!
The stay is supervised by a member of our partner agency, a qualified and passionate Mountain Guide, with snowshoeing qualifications and extensive knowledge of the valley.
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 - 01h - 45km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in from 5pm at the Saint-Ours gîte in the Val d'Oronaye, located at the foot of the Col de Larche, in the Ubaye Valley.
At 7:30 p.m., a welcome drink will be offered, giving your guide the opportunity to talk to you in more detail about the course of the stay and also to share a convivial moment.
Day 1 -
Mallemort Pass
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this first hike of the year, we take an old military track that will lead us to the Col de Mallemort pass—quite an undertaking! Yet, life is abundant; it's not uncommon to encounter mouflon, chamois, and perhaps even the bearded vulture, its golden plumage illuminating the sky. Further on, we reach the Viraysse barracks, which, under their blanket of snow, seem to slumber forever. From there, we have two options: either we cross the pass to enjoy a magnificent panorama towards the Mercantour National Park, or we turn back and wisely retrace our steps.
Day 2 -
Larche Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 00h35 - 23km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We'll get back on the road for a quick transfer below the Larche pass. This time we'll head towards the northern part of the valley. There's no forest cover, the climb is quite steep, but the scenery is magnificent; if it weren't for the color, you could easily mistake it for the Hoggar desert, with its dunes and rocky spurs, silence and immensity.
If the sun is out...a headscarf will be very welcome! We will descend to Larche, a small village destroyed by fierce fighting in the spring of 1945.
Day 3 -
Mirandol Pass
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After passing the deserted houses of the hamlet of Fouillouse, we'll climb through the few fields still untouched by agricultural abandonment to reach a larch forest dotted with Swiss pines. We'll continue our gentle ascent to a viewpoint. From there, the landscape is wide open and rolling, and the rest of the route will take us to the Col de Mirandol at 2,433 meters. Here, mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, in this landscape sculpted by giants. The return journey will follow beautiful north-facing slopes before joining a path that will lead us back along the mountainside to Fouillouse.
Day 4 -
Mary and Marinet Valleys
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 12km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 680 m
- Negative elevation 680 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After taking the time to admire the hamlet of Maljasset (1910m) with its slate roofs and superb Romanesque church, we will begin a climb under the larches and then through the alpine pasture to the sheepfold of Mary (2293m).
Next, after following the shores of Lake Marinet, we will arrive at the small bivouac of the same name (2560m). We will then find ourselves at the foot of the Aiguilles de Chambeyron. The high mountain scenery will be breathtaking!
Day 5 -
Crachet Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 40km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From the Vars pass road, we will go up a very beautiful valley to the Crachet pass (2631m) from where we will have a superb view of the Crévoux valley and the Pic de Chabrières (2746m).
The trip ends after this last walk, around 2 pm. We can enjoy the hostel one last time for a drink and a shower before leaving.
For those arriving by train, our free shuttle will drop you off at Mont-Dauphin station at 3:30 pm at the latest.
Day 6
Note
We reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snowpack conditions, 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
In the heart of the Southern Alps, in the Haute-Ubaye, on the road to the Col de Larche, a small road takes you to the hamlet of Saint-Ours (at 1780 meters altitude) and, at the very end, our gîte-auberge, where calm reigns.
The gîte's free parking is accessible, even in winter.
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. You can select this option when you register.
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.
At an altitude of 1900 meters, in the heart of the Alps of Haute Provence, on the border with Italy, Inès and Odilon welcome you to their gîte and refuge in an exceptional natural setting.
The gîte-refuge is located at the foot of the Chambeyron massif, in a magnificent 18th century farmhouse, renovated in keeping with the Ubaye tradition.
The gîte's free parking is accessible, even in winter.
Regardless of your mobile network operator, your mobile connection should be good. Wi-Fi access is free and available.
Subject to availability, it may be possible to depart after the end date. To do so, select this option when registering.
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 the Saint-Ours gîte, in the Val d'Oronaye, located at the foot of the Larche pass, in the Ubaye Valley.
The trip ends on day 6 in Fouillouse, after the last walk, around 2 p.m. We can enjoy the hostel one last time for a drink and a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre station at 3:30 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, particularly by cars during peak holiday travel periods. That's why we're doing everything we can to welcome you to Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre station.
For those arriving by train and wishing to use our free shuttle service, we will meet you at Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre train station, in the parking lot in front of the station. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free option when making your reservation.
🚂 Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre 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)
🚘 Via the North: Grenoble - Col Bayard - Gap - Barcelonnette - Jausiers - Saint-Ours
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Barcelonnette - Jausiers - Saint-Ours
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Guillestre - Vars Pass - Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - Saint-Ours
You can park all week in the free car parks of the cottages.
Important :
- Regardless of the route you take, it is mandatory to be equipped with snow tires or chains (practice putting them on before you leave).
- 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).
- At the exit of the tunnel, beware of the GPS which wants to take you towards Bardonecchia and the Col de l'Échelle which is closed in winter because of the snow!
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be led by a qualified and passionate Mountain Guide.
- Accommodation in two cozy cottages
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6
- Rental of snowshoes & poles as well as safety equipment
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- Transportation to the accommodation or to Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre train station
- drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Free shuttle service between Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre train station and the Saint-Ours gîte : CHF0.00 / unit
- Single room (subject to availability) : CHF137.22 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF64.95 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF58.55 / 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
- snowshoes
- sticks
- DVA
- shovel
- probe
For picnics
- fabric bags and towels
- Thermoses, bowls, cups and spoons for salads and hot drinks
Equipment to bring
For the day
- 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...
- a pharmacy, with the necessary supplies to treat everyday minor ailments, think about possible foot care (Compeed, strapping and other dressings), and of course your personal treatments.
Clothing to bring
To protect yourself from the winter chill, the best method is the "layering" approach: adjust your temperature by wearing layers of clothing that aren't too warm , so you don't sweat too much. We recommend choosing garments made from natural merino fibers, which are warm, breathable, and odor-resistant should you perspire.
For the day
- warm, waterproof trousers or lighter trousers and tights
- a Gore-Tex type windbreaker
- A down jacket to protect against the most biting cold.
- a not-too-thick sweater, possibly fleece or merino wool.
- Warm and quick-drying underwear (tights, long-sleeved t-shirts, etc.), perhaps made of merino wool.
- High-top, waterproof hiking boots
- a warm hat that protects the ears well
- a cap or other hat to protect you from the sun
- two pairs of gloves, thin ones and warm, waterproof "snow" gloves (or mittens)
- Gaiters are recommended if the snow pants don't have good elastic and/or hooks to stay on the boot.
For the evening
- 2 to 3 pairs of warm socks
- spare clothes
