4 days in the Cerces mountains between snowshoeing, pulka sledding and bivouacking
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationValloire / French Alps
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AgeFrom 18 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions17.36 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Immerse yourself in a 4-day winter adventure in the impressive Cerces-Mont Thabor massif . This mountain immersion invites you to experience bivouacking in the snow and living independently, far from civilization.
For three nights, you'll learn essential alpine skills: setting up camp, braving the cold, melting snow, and sharing hearty meals. Equipped with snowshoes , you'll haul your gear freely using your pulka , at the pace of a true expedition.
Between accessing wild valleys and climbing more challenging routes like the Col des Rochilles or the Roche Olvéra , the trail reveals majestic panoramas of the surrounding peaks . In a small group , this experience offers a complete escape and an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature.
The highlights
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4 days of snowshoeing and pulka sledding in the heart of the Cerces-Mont Thabor
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3 nights in a winter bivouac at an altitude of over 2000m
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Two outings without a pulka towards the Rochilles pass and the Roche Olvéra
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
- You can walk 5 to 8 hours a day in winter conditions.
- You are capable of undertaking several days of continuous effort in the mountains.
- You can achieve between 600 and 800 meters of elevation gain per day, as well as equivalent descents.
- You are ready to work at high altitudes, up to peaks reaching approximately 2,700 meters.
- You are comfortable with cold conditions, nights in a tent at altitudes above 2,000 meters, and limited comforts.
- Are you ready to actively participate in camp life: setting up tents, melting snow, using the stove, and managing food self-sufficiency?
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 425 m
- Average daily descent: 400 m
Management
French
English
Hi, I'm Cyril, a hiking/trekking guide and specialist in bivouac trips, both in winter and summer. Based between Savoie and Isère, I would be delighted to guide you in my favorite mountain ranges (Beaufortain, Belledonne, Chartreuse, Écrins, Vercors...). I'm also a huge fan of polar countries, having guided in Norway and Sweden for many years. See you in the mountains!
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We meet at 9:30 am in Bonnenuit, a hamlet located near Valloire, in Savoie. After meeting the guide and the rest of the group, we prepare together the necessary equipment for the four days: pulkas, tents, sleeping bags suitable for extreme cold, food, stoves and personal belongings.
This first day allows us to gradually get our bearings. We learn how to use the pulka, adapt our pace to the snow, and discover the first landscapes of the Cerces-Mont Thabor massif. We ascend the Valloirette valley to the Mottets area, where we set up our first bivouac.
Once they arrived, everyone pitched in to set up camp: pitching tents, collecting water by melting snow, preparing meals, and setting up camp for the night. A peaceful first evening, surrounded by snow-covered mountains.
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The day begins with waking up warm in our cold-weather sleeping bags, followed by breakfast in the mess tent around the stoves. Before setting off again, we make sure to eat well and stay hydrated to face the winter conditions.
For this stage, we leave the pulkas at camp so we can hike lighter. We set off on a loop towards the Col des Rochilles, located at nearly 2,500 meters altitude. The ascent crosses the high-altitude landscapes of the Cerces massif and, when conditions are favorable, opens up views towards the Clarée valley and the surrounding peaks.
We return to camp in the afternoon. Depending on the weather and the state of the snow, we either spend a second night in the same place or take the pulkas again to continue our trek towards another valley in the massif.
Day 2 -
Day 3
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this third day, we set off again without the pulkas in order to gain altitude more easily. Our objective is Roche Olvéra, an accessible summit of around 2,700 m, which dominates the area and, in clear weather, offers a wide panorama of the surrounding mountains.
The hike progresses at a leisurely pace, depending on the group's skill level and the snow conditions. The route also offers the opportunity to observe the tracks left in the snow and the wildlife present in the mountain range. With a bit of luck, we might spot chamois or ibex. The guide also explains how to observe them while minimizing our impact on these animals, which are particularly vulnerable during the winter.
We then returned to camp for our third and final night in tents, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. After several days outdoors, everyone had found their own way of managing their equipment, the cold, and the various tasks of the bivouac. The evening unfolded simply, at the camp's own pace, and, if the sky was clear, under the stars.
Day 3 -
Day 4
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 7 km
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After a final breakfast at camp, we spent the morning dismantling and tidying up. Tents, group equipment, and personal belongings were carefully distributed before we left.
We take care to leave the site as clean as possible, in accordance with the principles of Leave No Trace: nothing should remain behind us and traces of the bivouac are erased as much as possible.
We then headed back down towards the valley, pulkas harnessed once more, gradually descending towards Valloire. The pace remained leisurely, with the pleasure of slowly rediscovering the valley after several days spent self-sufficiently in the Cerces-Mont Thabor mountains.
Arrival in Valloire is scheduled for early afternoon. It's time to pack up the equipment for good and bring these four days of snowshoeing, pulka sledding, and winter bivouacking to a close.
Day 4
Note
Distances and durations are given as a guide and may vary depending on the weather, snow conditions and the pace of the group.
Accommodation
Nights will be spent camping in shared tents, with self-inflating mattresses and individual cold-weather sleeping bags provided by us. We also have a main communal tipi tent with a wood-burning stove and the necessary cooking equipment.
Access
Go to the starting point
- From the train station to the hamlet:
- By bus (Savoie Region buses - Line S53 / S52) + Local shuttle: Regular buses connect Saint-Michel - Valloire train station to Valloire bus station (approximately 40-minute journey, ticket price approximately €6 to €10 ). During the season, local shuttles (or ski buses) provide service between the center of Valloire and the hamlets of Les Verneys and Bonnenuit.
- By taxi / private hire vehicle: The journey takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes from Saint-Michel - Valloire station directly to the Hameau de Bonnenuit (estimated fare between €60 and €90 depending on the time slot and the season).
Bonnenuit Hamlet Parking (Free): A public outdoor parking lot is located at the entrance to the hamlet of Bonnenuit, near the bridge and the trailhead. It is completely free and open 24/7.
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a qualified mountain guide.
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 4
- Camping equipment: shared tents, individual sleeping mats and cold-weather sleeping bags
- Loan of snowshoes, poles and pulka
- Mountain safety equipment (shovel, avalanche transceiver, probe)
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to the meeting point
- Day 1 picnic
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
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 provided on site
- All winter camping equipment is provided: four-season tents, a cold-weather sleeping bag, and a self-inflating sleeping mat per person. We also include a large communal tent (tipi) with a wood-burning stove and the necessary cooking equipment.
- Snowshoeing equipment (poles and snowshoes) and pulka (1 for 2 people)
