Crossing the Southern Alps – wolf country
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 1395.00 €
About the Traversée des Alpes du Sud
There are still places in France where you can feel far away from it all, immersed in nature. The Alpes de Haute Provence is one such place. More than a hike, this trek is a journey. A change of scenery is guaranteed in these little-known mountains and wide-open spaces.
Experience an authentic adventure in wild lands frequented by wolves, whose tracks we may be lucky enough to see. The wolf is at home in these mountains, and its presence shapes this territory. Your guide will introduce you to the fascinating and little-known customs of this mythical animal.
You will leave with :
Julien.D
Trekking Guide
“Every step is an invitation to contemplation, every sunset a reminder of nature’s simple, profound beauty.”
Photo gallery of the Traversée des Alpes du Sud
The route of the Traversée des Alpes du Sud
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader.
- Overnight stays in a gîte or refuge
- Half board
- Picnic lunches
- Transfers as indicated in the program
- Luggage transfer
What's not included in the package
- Cancellation assistance insurance to be taken out upon registration
- Your personal consumption (drinks in general)
- Transport to and from the meeting point on D1 and D7
- All transfers related to program changes
- Your travel and hiking gear
- Everything not included in the price
Day 1: Dormeilleuse Ridge, your first step into the great outdoors
This morning we meet the guide and the rest of the group at the Gap SNCF train station to get acquainted. Then a 1h15 transfer takes us to the starting point of our trek, in Valavoire.
We start our walk with a climb up to the Dormeilleuse ridge, where the panoramic views of the Ecrins, Dévoluy and Durance valley will leave you with unforgettable memories. The traverse takes us to the Col de la Sapie, before descending through wild forests inhabited by a wealth of wildlife to the small village of Authon.
Day 2: Crossing the Monges massif
8 hours’ walk – Overnight in gîte – D+ 1400 m / D- 1200 m
The Massif des Monges is not very well known, yet it’s splendid and you’ll discover it with your own eyes throughout this beautiful day. We cross this high plateau inhabited by wolves. This stage winds through passes and meadows, over gently rolling ridges. We’re unlikely to meet anyone, except perhaps chamois or mouflons, which are plentiful in this area! A long stage, but you’ll be rewarded and encouraged by the changing scenery along the way.
At the end of the stage, short transfer from Chabanon to the historic village of Seyne.
Day 3: Discover the Roche Close massif
6 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in gîte – D+ 1100 m / D- 1000 m
We start the day with a short transfer to the hamlet of Maure.
This morning, we climb up the beautiful Chabrières gorges before arriving below the imposing Roche Close peak, with its ochre or silver flanks depending on the light. The trail takes us to the Col de la Pierre, at an altitude of over 2,400 metres. Between Dos de Chameau to the north and Pic de Roche Close to the south, we feel very small! Finally, we begin our descent into the Laverq valley, which served as a refuge for Protestants persecuted during the Wars of Religion. La day is easier than the day before, but just as beautiful.
Day 4: At altitude in the Estrop massif
Today we’re gaining altitude. From the refuge, we climb up the valley and cross the Laverq biological reserve towards the Baisse (pass) de la Petite Barre at 2735 meters altitude. In these immense landscapes, you feel like you’re in the Himalayas without having crossed the planet. The Tête de l’Estrop, imposing and mineral, watches over us from its 2960-meter altitude. The descent to La Foux d’Allos is a two-stage process, as we have to climb back up a little before crossing the Baisse de l’Auriac.
Day 5: Lakes and high mountain passes in the Mercantour
After a short transfer to the Laus plateau, we head for Lac d’Allos, Europe’s largest natural lake in the Mercantour National Park. We take in this natural wonder, guarded by the Tours du Lac, sandstone peaks soaring into the sky. What follows is wilder: we cross the Col de l’Encombrette and reach the cirque of the same name. Exploring it gives our day a touch of adventure. We descend via the beautiful Pas de l’Echelle to Colmars, a beautiful medieval town protected by ramparts and fortified by Vauban.
Day 6: The wide-open spaces of the Haut Verdon
A fabulous day awaits us. After a short transfer to the Bois Noir parking lot, we cross a high plateau bordered by high peaks on our way to the Lignin lakes. The scenery is grandiose. From the lakes, we climb to the Baisse du Détroit, then descend through beautiful larch forests to the Rieu plateau, where the view is panoramic. The day ends in the picturesque village of Peyresq, abandoned and recently rebuilt. Overnight at La Colle Saint Michel.
Day 7: Last panoramic day
Departing from La Colle Saint Michel, we take the Chemin des Crêtes in the Verdon Regional Nature Park. From the Puy de Rent, we enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Haute Provence mountains and the Lac de Saint André. The wild atmosphere of these little-traveled crests immerses us one last time in this beautiful nature. From the Baisse d’Annot, we begin the final descent to the village of the same name.
From Annot, a 2h30 transfer takes us back to Gap where we separate.
Highlights of the trip
General information
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ATTENTION: air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you book during this period.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
CLIMATE
Temperatures vary according to altitude. It can reach 30°C in summer on the plains, or sub-zero on the summits.
Summer thunderstorms are common in the French Alps.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
Make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
You can take along the European Health Card issued by your social security.
Transport and conditions
Intermediate trips mentioned in the itinerary are by private cab.
LUGGAGE
Your personal belongings will be transported as indicated in the program. We recommend that you pack your belongings for the trek in a duffle bag, not a suitcase. Please ensure that your bag does not exceed 12 kgs.
The stay
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner will be served in or near the accommodation. We provide a picnic lunch every morning (except the first day).
ACCOMMODATION
Overnight stays in refuges or B&Bs, in dormitories
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
Some (but not all) refuges offer charging facilities for small electronic devices (smartphones, cameras). We advise you to bring portable batteries or solar panels.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
No visa required for French nationals and citizens of bordering countries.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
Meals not included (cold drinks, snacks, etc.) and accommodation are included in the price of the stay. Tipping is not necessary and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
Watse added value
AN EXPERT GUIDE
TO THIS REGION
A French Watse guide specializing in the area is on hand throughout.
THE BEST
ACCOMMODATION
The refuges and lodges on this trek have been selected by our teams for their ideal location and the quality of their welcome.
HOMEMADE PICNICS
During the Traversée des Alpes du Sud, your picnics are prepared with fresh, local produce at the refuge and/or by your guide.