Trail running and yoga retreat in the Queyras: Lake Souliers and Furfande
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions36.35 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
In the heart of the Queyras mountains, this 4-day trail running and yoga retreat offers an ideal sporting immersion to lengthen your stride at altitude while protecting your body. Located in the hamlet of Montbardon, the Gîte du Cadran Solaire provides a warm and welcoming retreat for your three nights of full board accommodation , from the first dinner to the last picnic.
Each day balances intense physical effort with targeted recovery. On the trails, you'll traverse iconic wild landscapes: Lake Souliers , the Glaisette ridge , the majestic Furfande cirque , and the Col Fromage pass overlooking the Riou Vert valley. In addition to running, organized hatha and vinyasa yoga sessions before and after the race optimize muscle regeneration and refine your posture.
To ensure personalized attention in a friendly atmosphere, outings take place in small groups of 4 to 8 people. Throughout the stay, Laura 's dual expertise as a mountain guide and certified yoga instructor is invaluable. This unique combination offers a rejuvenating break dedicated to performance and well-being.
The highlights
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Lake Souliers, Glaisette ridge, Furfande cirque and Fromage pass trail
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Yoga sessions before and after exercise for better recovery between outings
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3 nights at the Gîte du Cadran Solaire, meals included from the first evening to the last day
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
The expert's opinion
This training course is aimed at trail runners wishing to take their skills to the next level and move towards longer mountain formats.
This trip is for you if:
- You run regularly and already have experience with long runs.
- You are capable of sustaining an effort for 4 to 7 hours in mountainous terrain.
- You can cover 15 to 25 km and accumulate 800 to 1,200 m of elevation gain per day.
- You are comfortable on technical trails (stones, roots, scree).
- You are proficient in alternating running and walking uphill.
- You know how to manage your pace, food, and hydration independently over several hours.
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average distance/day: 13 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 825 m
- Average daily descent: 825 m
Management
French
I discovered the mountains as a child. After studying biological engineering, I left everything behind to become a mountain guide, while simultaneously training in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. On this retreat, I'll take you running on the trails of the Queyras region and lead yoga sessions to help you recover.
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Trail and road running
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 2 pm at the Gîte du Cadran Solaire, in the hamlet of Montbardon: presentation of the route, safety instructions, and distribution of equipment. Warm-up run around the hamlet (approximately 7 km and 400 m of elevation gain), followed by technical workshops at the gîte: safety procedures and map reading. Recovery yoga session at the end of the day, then dinner.
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Activity Yoga
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Wake up with an energizing yoga session, followed by breakfast. Depart from Souliers to climb to Lac de Souliers, at around 2,500m, then cross the Col du Tronchet and follow the Glaisette ridge, with sweeping views of the Queyras peaks. Return via rolling descents where everyone runs at their own pace. Recovery yoga at the end of the day and evening at the gîte.
Day 2 -
Day 3
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Activity Yoga
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A great day trip to the Cirque de Furfande, through forests, past summer chalets and high-altitude meadows. We alternated between trail running and brisk hiking on the climbs, with technical breaks and refreshments along the way. Return to the gîte for the last evening.
Day 3 -
Day 4
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Activity Yoga
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Yoga upon waking, followed by breakfast. Gradual climb to the Col Fromage pass, then descent through the Riou Vert valley, alternating between technical sections and rolling terrain. Final yoga session after the exertion, and the course concludes around 5 pm at the starting point.
Day 4
Note
The program, distances and times can be adjusted according to the level of the group, the weather and the condition of the trails.
Accommodation
The Gîte du Cadran Solaire is a comfortable mountain gîte in the hamlet of Montbardon, in Château-Ville-Vieille. It serves as the base camp for the 3 nights of the workshop.
Access
Meeting and end of the course at the Gîte du Cadran Solaire, in the hamlet of Montbardon, which serves as base camp for the 4 days.
Go to the starting point
From the train station to the accommodation:
- By bus (ZOU! network - Line 531 / Queyras shuttles): Regional buses connect Montdauphin - Guillestre station to the village of Château-Ville-Vieille (allow approximately 45 minutes journey time, ticket costing approximately €2.10 to €3.00 ).
- Ascent from Château-Ville-Vieille to Montbardon (4 km uphill): As the hamlet is perched above the village, complete the journey by local taxi (approximately 10 minutes uphill, estimated fare between €15 and €25 ) or via the summer/winter shuttles of Queyras.
- By direct taxi from Montdauphin - Guillestre station: Allow approximately 35 to 40 minutes journey time (estimated fare between €70 and €100 depending on the time slot and season).
- A WhatsApp group is opened 10 days before departure to organize carpooling.
Free on-site parking throughout your stay. A WhatsApp group is created 10 days before departure to organize carpooling.
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be led by Laura, a mountain guide trained in yoga.
- 3 nights at the Gîte du Cadran Solaire, in a shared room
- All meals, from dinner on day 1 to the picnic on day 4
- Yoga sessions, mats provided
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Lunch of day 1
- Personal consumption
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Additional night after the stay : CHF59.46 / person
- Overnight stay the previous day : CHF59.46 / person
- 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
- Yoga mats, provided by the guide.
Equipment to bring
- Trail running bag, water bladder or water bottles (1.5 to 2 L minimum per day), trail running poles (if you are used to them), charged headlamp, survival blanket, SPF 50 sunscreen, category 3 sunglasses, bars, gels and dried fruit, small first aid kit, toiletry kit, identity document, phone and charger, bank card and cash.
- Optional: GPS watch, Compeed, microfiber towel, earplugs, deck of cards.
Clothing to bring
- Trail shoes already broken in, technical socks, shorts or bib shorts (x2), breathable t-shirts (2 to 3), waterproof jacket such as Gore-Tex, windbreaker, down jacket, light gloves, cap or buff, comfortable outfit for yoga and evening.
