Snowshoeing & relaxation at the foot of the Ecrins
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationLe Monêtier-les-Bains / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions71.65 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
In a few words
Serre-Chevalier, the resort of Luc Alphand, the local boy, everyone knows it! What is less well known is that the upper Serre Chevalier Valley is the ideal starting point for hiking, far from the ski lifts, at the foot of the mythical peaks of the Écrins massif: La Meije, Les Agneaux and Pic Gaspard…
From our cozy little inn nestled at the foot of the famous Col du Galibier, we'll set off to explore the secret, wild valleys of the Guisane Valley and the Cerces massif. You'll be able to listen to the profound silence and breathe in the fresh air.
We will definitely go and relax at the Grands Bains du Monêtier. Imagine yourself immersed in the naturally warm water, facing a magnificent panorama, with snow falling all around you!
The highlights
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Magnificent views of the Écrins glaciers
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The beneficial warm waters of the Grands Bains du Monêtier
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A comfortable and welcoming hostel away from the resort
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: 11 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 657 m
- Average daily descent: 657 m
Management
English
French
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 connecting with others, I'm enriched by every encounter I have 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 - 00h30 - 20km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 5pm at the Auberge du Pont de l'Alp in the hamlet of Lauzet, at the foot of the Col du Lautaret. Settle into your rooms and then, at 7pm, enjoy a presentation of the trip over drinks.
Day 1 -
Grand Tabuc Valley
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 560 m
- Negative elevation 560 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A warm-up walk towards Les Sagnières. This village, located above Le Monêtier on the north-facing slope and accessible only on foot via mule tracks, was continuously inhabited until 1970. It tells us about the harsh way of life of the inhabitants of these mountains… just before the internet age! Larch forests and wide clearings opening onto magnificent landscapes make this walk a true escape close to the valley.
Day 2 -
Puy du Cros Mountain
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 625 m
- Negative elevation 625 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
On the southern slope of the valley, we will gain altitude via ancient paths, routes used by herds to reach the alpine pastures and by the inhabitants of Monêtier working the high-altitude mines.
The coniferous forest will give way to wide-open, magnificent, and generously sunny landscapes where we can indulge in a picnic overlooking the glaciers. These are also the wintering grounds of the ibex, who might even come to keep us company!
Day 3 -
The Galibier
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 16km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This hike will take us, through rolling slopes, towards the Col du Galibier (2642m), which stands as an imposing climatic barrier between the Southern Alps and neighboring Savoy. From up there, as the icing on the cake, we'll have a breathtaking view of the north faces of three giants of the wild Oisans Massif: La Meije (3983m), Le Pavé (3823m), and Pic Gaspard (3881m).
Day 4 -
Alpe du Lauzet and the Grands Bains du Monêtier
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Alpe du Lauzet This is a traditional alpine pasture at the foot of imposing limestone peaks reminiscent of the Dolomites. In winter, it's also the domain of ibex, who forage for food in these vast expanses of pristine snow. It's the ideal place to try and spot them. This hike is a beautiful excursion into the wilderness. After this walk, we'll be sure to relax at the Grands Bains de Monêtier.
Day 5 -
The Fontenil Valley
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We'll set off on foot from the inn to explore the Fontenil Valley, encircled by the imposing wall of the formidable Combeynot Peaks (3155m). We'll find ourselves in the heart of the nature reserve, a wintering ground for numerous chamois, making it the perfect place to try and spot them. The return to Le Lauzet will offer a final, exhilarating descent through fresh snow, well-protected by the larch trees.
The stay ends after the walk, around 2pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time for a drink before leaving.
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
You will be accommodated at the Auberge** du Pont de l'Alp, a comfortable and friendly gîte located in the hamlet of Lauzet at an altitude of 1700 meters, at the foot of the Cerces and Écrins mountain ranges.
The hostel's free parking is easily 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 and depart after the end date. You can select these options when you register for your stay.
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 Fugues en Montagne. Thank you for your understanding.
Access
The stay begins on day 1 at 5 pm at the Auberge du Pont de l'Alp, in Le Lauzet, a hamlet in the commune of Monêtier-les-Bains, located 20 kilometers from Briançon. Check into your rooms, then at 7 pm, enjoy a presentation about the stay over drinks.
The stay ends on day 6 after the last walk, around 2pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time for a drink before departure.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Briançon station by 3pm at the latest.
Go to the starting point
The main source of fine particulate pollution in our mountains is the combustion of fossil fuels generated by cars, particularly during the holiday traffic.
That is why we are doing everything we can to welcome you at Briançon station.
🚂 Briançon 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)
🚂 Oulx SNCF station (Italy)
TGV Paris-Oulx on the Paris-Turin-Milan line then Oulx-Briançon shuttle.
For those arriving by train and wishing to use our free shuttle service, we will meet you on day 1 at 6:50 pm at Briançon train station, in the parking lot to the right as you exit the main hall. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free shuttle option when making your reservation.
If your train arrival time doesn't coincide with the shuttle's arrival time, you'll need to take a taxi to get to the hostel. We recommend contacting Transalp Taxi at 06.81.69.88.39; the fare is approximately 80 euros.
🚘 From the North: Grenoble - Col du Lautaret - Pont de l'Alpe. If the Col du Lautaret is closed, you will have to go via the Col Bayard and Gap. You will then reach Briançon from the south.
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Embrun – Briançon - le Pont de l'Alpe.
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Pont de l'Alpe.
You can park all week in the hostel's free parking lot.
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
- Comfortable and friendly gîte accommodation
- The stay will be supervised by a qualified guide.
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 6
- 1 two-hour session at the Grands Bains du Monêtier
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks and personal expenses
- The supplement for a single room (subject to availability)
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Free shuttle between Briançon train station and the Pont de l'Alp inn : CHF0.00 / unit
- Single room (subject to availability) : CHF228.70 / unit
- Half-board extra before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF80.96 / unit
- Half-board extra after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF80.96 / 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:
- the snowshoes
- hiking poles
- Safety equipment: avalanche victim detectors, shovels and probes
For picnics:
- fabric bags and towels
- containers for soups and salads
- spoons
- thermoses for hot drinks
- cups
- towels and toiletries
Equipment to bring
- 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...
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 hiking:
- 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.
- 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
- indoor shoes or slippers
- 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.
