Snowshoeing in the Clarée Valley
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 755.00 €
About the Tour de la Vallée de la Clarée snowshoe hike
Explore the authentic Clarée valley and its breathtaking scenery with this itinerant tour designed by our guides.
Bordering the Ecrins massif and the Italian Piedmont, this Natura 2000 listed valley offers an unspoilt, wild and varied environment. A veritable haven of peace in winter, its abundant snow cover, exceptional scenery and welcoming refuges make it a unique playground for snowshoeing itineraries.
A wonderful winter immersion awaits you on this trip, with nights in a mountain refuge.
You will leave with :
Julian
Trekking Guide
“Every step is an invitation to contemplation, every sunset a reminder of nature’s simple, profound beauty.”
Photo gallery of the Tour de la vallée de la Clarée snowshoe hike
The Tour de la vallée de la Clarée snowshoeing trail
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a qualified mountain leader.
- Half-board in dormitories in gîtes and refuges.
- Picnic lunches prepared by the accommodation.
- Loan of snowshoes, poles and safety equipment.
What's not included in the package
- Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Luggage transfer
- Personal hiking equipment (shoes, clothes, rucksack, first-aid kit).
- Transport to the meeting point on D1 and return transport at the end of the day on D6.
- Everything not indicated in the price includes.
Day 1: Welcome to Névache
2 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in gîte – D+: 200 m / D-: 200 m
Meet at 2pm at the gîte.
We set off for a short jaunt to the Col de l’Echelle to get to know each other and familiarize ourselves with the use of safety equipment.
Back at the gite to settle in for the night, the guide will give you an overview of the week’s activities. A great program awaits you for this week of mountain immersion!
Day 2: Discovering the Buffère valley
5 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in refuge – D+: 750 m / D-: 235
From Ville-Haute, the last hamlet in the village of Névache accessible by road in winter, we climb up the Clarée valley in a grandiose setting. Our walk continues with a fine ascent to the Buffère refuge, where we unload our packs. We reach the Lac de Privé (2,304m), well guarded by the cliffs of Tête Noire and its inhabitants.
Overnight at the Buffère refuge.
Day 3: The Cristol Gate
5 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in refuge – D+: 750 m / D- 750 m
This morning we head for the crêtes de l’Echaillon. The mountain pastures give way to a more mineral, alpine world. We then climb to the Porte de Cristol (2,483 m), overlooking the Clarée valley and the Briançonnais region. You’ll be amazed by the breathtaking panorama.
We return to the Buffère refuge for a second night.
Day 4: Refuge du Chardonnet - Col du Raisin
Off to the Chardonnet refuge, renowned for its warm welcome and homemade pastries. There are two possible routes: via the Casse Pinière or through the forest. After a break at the refuge, we start the ascent to the Col du Raisin (2,691m m) lightly packed. At the summit, we are rewarded with an exceptional view of the Ecrins massif and the Clarée valley.
Overnight at the Chardonnet refuge.
Day 5: Refuge de Laval
We return to the Clarée valley via the Queyrellin chalets. This peaceful hamlet of ten or so chalets offers beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountains. We then climb towards the Laval refuge, where we’ll spend our last night in the mountains.
We can climb up to the Lac Long de Muande (+350m) once we’ve dropped off our bags at the refuge.
Overnight at the Laval refuge.
Day 6: Back to the valley
This is our last descent of the Clarée valley. Depending on the conditions, we leave the Clarée and add a few loops in the melèzins or other areas of interest. We’ll soak up the beauty and serenity of the area one last time before bringing this mountain interlude to a close.
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
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 35% 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
JET LAG
No time difference.
CLIMATE
Summer and winter alike, temperatures in the mountains vary with altitude, and the way they feel can be greatly affected by the intensity of the wind.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
We strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
IFREMMONT
No specific indications.
Transport and conditions
Meet at 2pm on D1 at the gîte. Return transport is not included in the price.
If you would like a transfer to or from Briançon station, please contact us.
AIR
No specific indications.
LUGGAGE
You carry your bag from one accommodation to the next, and several stages of the hike are lightly packed after dropping off your belongings at the refuge.
The stay
MEALS
Picnic lunches prepared with care by the accommodation. Morning and evening meals in the accommodation.
We recommend you bring your own snacks for picnics.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you have a special diet.
ACCOMMODATION
Lodging in a gîte on D1, then in guarded mountain refuges.
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
You can recharge your electronic devices every day at the gîte and huts.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
No visa required for French nationals and citizens of bordering countries.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
Daily travel, meals (excluding extras such as soft drinks, snacks, special diets, etc.) and accommodation are included in the price of the stay. Tipping is not compulsory and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
Watse added value
CAREFULLY PREPARED PICNICS
During the stay, picnics are prepared using fresh local produce.
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
The chosen accommodation is selected by our team for its geographical location and the quality of its welcome.
TRANSFERS IN PRIVATE VEHICLES
During your stay, all transfers between your accommodation and the trailheads will be by private vehicle, to give you maximum freedom and avoid any inconvenience.