The best travel hiking agency in Europe
Hiking trip in the French Alps : a cross-border journey
Hike through rugged passes, glacial lakes, and pristine alpine landscapes
This hiking trip in the French Alps takes you on a breathtaking journey, connecting the Northern Alps to the Southern Alps. An extraordinary week awaits, filled with spectacular scenery and unmatched diversity.
The majestic Thabor massif opens the adventure with its towering peaks, followed by the Nevache Valley and Briançon, renowned for its exceptional heritage. Next, you'll explore the wonders of the Queyras natural park before crossing the border into Italy's Piedmont region. The Val Maira Valley, with its wild landscapes and mountain traditions, offers a complete change of scenery.
Experience the harmony of nature and authenticity on this exceptional trek, where serenity and grandeur go hand in hand. Pack your backpack and embark on an adventure that will stay with you forever.
Highlights
- French Alps trip : a week of hiking
- Cross from the French Alps into the Italian Alps
- Hike from peak to peak
7 days
/ 6 nights
Price: Consult us
Activity
Hike
Journey TypeTrip Point-to-point
Trip Type
Self-guided
Hiking Grade : Terrain Difficulty : Possible departures from 14 November to 14 November
Day by day program
Day 1 : Arrival at Modane train station to Valfréjus to Vallée Étroite
Transfer to Valfrejus (20 minutes), the famous starting point
of the GR5, heading toward the Col de la Vallee Etroite. A gentle
climb brings you to this pass, which marks the natural border
between the Northern and Southern Alps. You enter the Hautes-Alpes,
and the Vallee Etroite itself is a French enclave within
Italy.
The day ends with a descent to the hamlets of Les Granges, where you’ll spend your first night in a mountain refuge.
HIKING TIME : 5h
ASCENT : 850 m
DESCENT : 720 m
ACCOMMODATION : moutain refuge
LUGGAGE
TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this
option)
Day 2 : Hike from Vallée Étroite Refuge to Col du Vallon to Névache
We retrace a few hundred meters before venturing deeper into the heart of the Claree Valley. In this wild and pristine setting, we climb to Col du Vallon (2,645 m), overlooking the stunning Lac Blanc.
A beautiful descent leads to the village of Nevache at the head of the Claree Valley, passing through the historic village of La Ville Haute.
Transfer at 4:00 PM to the Refuge des Fonts de Cervieres.
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 900 m
DESCENT : 1,050 m
ACCOMMODATION : moutain refuge
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 3 : Hike from Fonts de Cervières to Col Malrif to Abriès
Today’s route takes us into the Queyras Natural Park with a high-altitude stage: Col Malrif at 2,830 m.
A beautiful ascent through alpine pastures begins from the charming hamlet of Fonts de Cervières. We cross Col Malrif, enjoying breathtaking views of the iconic Mont Viso, the lord of the Southern Alps.
A long descent follows to Abriès via the Malrif Lakes, some of the largest in the Queyras. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in the upper Guil Valley.
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 950 m
DESCENT : 1,300 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 4 : Hike from L'Échalp to Vallée des Lacs to Col Vieux to Refuge de la Blanche
From the last hamlet in this high Guil Valley, we ascend along the Italian border through the Bouchouse valley, a protected biotope.
We pass the Egorgeou and Foréant Lakes before reaching Col Vieux (2,806 m), crossing over to Col de Chamoussiere directly opposite. The descent continues through the Blanche Valley, where we spend the night at Refuge de la Blanche.
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 1,350 m
DESCENT : 600 m
ACCOMMODATION : mountain refuge
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 5 : Hike from Refuge de la Blanche to Lac de la Blanche to Col de la Noire to Maljasset
From the refuge, you climb the imposing Col de la Noire, which
overlooks the refuge and its small lake. This pass marks the exit
from the Queyras and leads into the wild valley of the Haute-Ubaye.
You then follow the flower-filled Longet Valley, descending gently
to the first hamlet of Maljasset, where you spend the night.
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 500 m
DESCENT : 1,050 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE
TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this
option)
Day 6 : Hike from Maljasset to Col Mary to Chiappera
At the foot of the highest peak of the Haute-Ubaye, the
Chambeyron (3,412 m), we gently ascend the Col Mary valley,
dotted with numerous lakes scattered across well-kept pastures.
From the col, we cross into Italy, entering the Piedmont region to
reach the Val Maira and the beautiful village of Chiappera.
HIKING TIME : 5h30
ASCENT : 950 m
DESCENT : 1,150 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 7 : Hike from the Val Maira to Col des Monges to Larche
A beautiful trek through the unusual Maira Valley leads to the
Col des Monges (2,542 m), marking the border. The descent
follows the Montagnette valley, overlooked by the Maginot Line
fortresses built during World War II. The journey ends in Larche, a
small village in Haute-Ubaye, with an optional transfer around
5 pm to Guillestre - Montdauphin train station.
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 1,050 m
DESCENT : 940 m
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Dates and prices
Personalize your trip
Do you like this trip but would you like to add a few modifications? We can make you a tailor-made proposal.
Trip Notes
Reviews of this trip
5
Nora
15 Septembre 2024
Hiking trip in french alps
Thanks tothe agnecy for flawless organization and the cheerful spirit of its team. Our stay from the first point to Larche was outstanding in every way, particularly for the quality of the accommodations and the support provided.
Submit your review
Over 40 years of expertise and know-how
A small, locally based agency
No booking fees
Over 300 trips in Europe
Authentic trips
French alps trip