In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationÉcrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions8.56 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Head to Vallouise for a self-guided snowshoeing holiday, with your base camp at Gîte Au Fil de l'Onde, in the heart of the Écrins.
Each morning, you set off to explore a different route according to your desires and the weather of the day, by car or shuttle from the cottage, without having to change accommodation during the whole week.
Welcome to the gateway to Écrins National Park: snow-covered valleys, streams winding between frosted banks, larch forests where you can stroll peacefully on snowshoes. The peaks of the massif are never far away, and depending on the day, the trails will lead you to different viewpoints.
For this trip, we've prepared three days of snowshoeing on marked and safe trails, suitable for different skill levels. Each day you'll set off with a map of the trails and an app to guide you throughout the outing, so you can move forward with peace of mind, without fear of getting lost.
In the evening, we returned to the gîte for a meal prepared on-site with local produce, a chance to replenish our energy and share stories of the day's outing around the table. This is also part of the spirit of a star-shaped hiking trip: a day spent outdoors in the silence of the mountains, and in the evening, a bit of conviviality and rest before setting off again the next day.
A good compromise between effort and tranquility, between nature and comfort, for those who want to take a breather while still being active.
The highlights
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Eco-friendly accommodation close to nature
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Marked and uncrowded snowshoe trails: the freedom to explore at your own pace
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Spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and surrounding valleys
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
An adventure without major technical difficulties, a hike of no more than 5 hours, with minimal elevation gain to allow you to enjoy the views of the surrounding landscapes. Using snowshoes may add a slight technical challenge to the trip.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 3h30
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 407 m
- Average daily descent: 407 m
Management
This is a self-guided trip; you will be accompanied and guided by a digital roadbook that will lead you along the most beautiful marked trails in the Écrins region. You will not have a guide and can choose your routes according to your preferences.
Program
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Arrival and check-in
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After settling into your accommodation and collecting your equipment, you can stroll around the beautiful village of Pelvoux-Vallouise before returning to your bed and breakfast to relax!
Day 1 -
Tournoux Loop
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 230 m
- Negative elevation 230 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After a good breakfast, you will explore the Tournoux plateau , a loop that will offer you a magnificent panorama of the Vallouise valley, your playground for the days to come.
Along the way, you may have the chance to come across a dog sled team passing close to your route.
Day 2 -
Narreyroux Valley
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 490 m
- Negative elevation 490 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
For this third day, you will explore the wild valley of Narreyroux, a unique opportunity to chart your own course while observing the tracks of mountain wildlife.
You'll discover the charming alpine hamlet, ideal for a picnic break. The route will take you through meadows and forests, offering a beautiful diversity of landscapes to admire throughout your hike.
Day 3 -
The Têtes de Puy Saint Vincent via the Col de la Pousterle
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Écrins massif by reaching the summit of Têtes de Puy Saint Vincent. Once at the top, you can admire a 360° panoramic view of the entire Écrins and Queyras mountain ranges.
Accessible only by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, this route will take you through a superb larch forest.
As you gain altitude, you will be immersed in a Scandinavian atmosphere, with majestic landscapes all around you.
Day 4 -
Departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
It's departure day, you can still take the opportunity to stroll around the Vallouise after leaving the chalet at 10am.
Day 5
Accommodation
For this star-shaped stay dedicated to snowshoeing in freedom, the Gîte Au Fil de l'Onde offers an ideal location in Vallouise, in the heart of the Écrins National Park.
A true base camp, it allows you to easily explore the various snowshoeing routes each day, whether by car or via local shuttles. No more long journeys: here you benefit from a central starting point to explore a diverse territory, between forests, valleys, and panoramic views of the Écrins peaks.
The cottage was designed according to demanding eco-construction principles: natural materials, high-performance insulation, and harmonious integration into the landscape. An environmentally conscious setting, consistent with the spirit of a nature-based, itinerant holiday.
After a day of snowshoeing, relax outdoors in the optional Norwegian hot tub , heated by wood, with views of the surrounding mountains. A true moment of rejuvenation, combining well-being and contemplation, to recharge your batteries before tomorrow's hike.
What truly sets this gîte apart is its warm, attentive, and helpful welcome. We are happy to advise you on the best routes of the day depending on the weather and snow conditions, the shuttle buses to take, or simply good local spots.
Access
Meet at 4 PM at your accommodation in Vallouise-Pelvoux for the start of your stay. Parking is available on site. The nearest train station is L'Argentière-les-Écrins. On the last day, your stay ends at 10 AM at the same location.
Go to the starting point
The nearest SNCF train station is L'Argentière-les-Écrins, ideal for reaching your stay by train.
Parking is available on site at the accommodation.
Price details
The price includes
- Bed and breakfast accommodation
- The half-board option
- The equipment needed for snowshoeing
The price does not include
- Transportation to the place of stay
- Lunch
- The tourist tax
- Personal expenses
- Access to the Norwegian bath
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
- Snowshoes
- Walking sticks
Equipment to bring
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- 1L thermos water bottle
- Slippers for the chalet
- 30L backpack
- Personal pharmacy
- Camera
- Tupperware for lunch
Clothing to bring
- Fleece or down jacket
- Gore-Tex jacket or ski jacket
- Ski pants
- Pair of mittens or gloves
- Pair of glove liners
- Hat or fur hat
- High and waterproof shoes
They traveled with us
They traveled with us
Philippe
- 69 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
january 2026
Among friends
Good morning,
We thank you for your feedback and regret the logistical difficulties you encountered during your stay in Puy-Saint-Vincent.
We regret this lack of communication as we have not found any record of your call.
Regarding the location of the accommodation, the availability of taxis and the operation of the shuttle (Line C), we are immediately contacting our local partner to understand these malfunctions and verify the accuracy of the information provided in our offer.
The Decathlon Travel team
Manon
- 23 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
january 2025
In a couple
Patricia
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
december 2024
Alone
The Juliette team
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