Mountain Adventure Holidays
One of the very best areas in France to snowshoe in the mountains. The tiny ancient hamlet of Névache is situated in the Vallée de la Clarée, a truly beautiful base for a week of exploring the surrounding snowy summits and Cols.
The very name 'Névache' means 'snow covered' and the area is known for having the best snow cover in the Southern Alps. We also aim to spend one night in a mountain refuge which, in itself, is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the mountains 'up close' in all their glory.
Without doubt this is one of our favourite snowshoe destinations. It is one of those hidden gems that you stumble across and then wonder why on earth you haven't visited before. The community here is quintessentially French in terms of culture, food, and tradition. It is a quaint and ancient community that really does feel like a haven of tranquillity.
You will be welcomed at the airport or train station (depending on your choice of arrival) by your guide, who will drive you to your accommodation. The evening meal will be at approximately 1900 hrs followed by the welcome meeting to discuss the itinerary, location and routes.
Advice on how to travel to Nevache is given in the 'Arrival & Departure' section of the Trip Information.
We have a gentle introduction to this wonderful area as we devote time and energy to exploring the wonders of the 'Haute Vallée', or High Valley of Nevache. The Haute Vallée runs north west from the ancient hamlet of Nevache, with ancient communities and refuges dotted along the route. It is well known as a wonderful example of how local people have used the clearings in the forest and the open high meadows to their advantage. Making use of the landscape in a way that allows maximum benefit to the grazing herds. The ancient practice of 'transhumance' is still practised here where there is the seasonal movement of the people with the livestock.
Leaving Nevache behind us we will wander alongside the river while taking in the views of the rocky peaks which tower over us on either side of this long narrow valley. We will aim for the Chalets de Fontcouverte, and if conditions and energy allow it we may climb higher to the Chalets de Queyrillin which sit at 1985m (6510ft). At the Chalets de Queyrillin there is also an ancient chapel which is a popular hiking destination. We may stop for refreshments at the wonderful Auberge La Fruitiere which is often open during the winter providing refreshments to skiers and snowshoers.
Ascent: 450m (1476ft) Descent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we climb to the famous Col de L'Echelle which is a mountain pass between France and Italy, and is know in Italian as Colle della Scala. It connects the Vallée de la Clarée and the Vallée Étroite. We begin from the hamlet of Roubion which sits at 1300 metres (4264ft) and climb steadily to the high point at 1762 metres (5779ft). On the way we pass the ancient Chapel of Saint Hypolite, and then just before the Col the Notre Dame de Bon Secours, this roughly translates as 'Our lady of Good Rescue'. This is a really lovely walk and although in the summer months it is a busy mountain road, in the winter it is covered in a blanket of snow and is only accessible for those who make the effort to either ski or snowshoe to this panoramic viewpoint. Below us we have views to the town of Bardonecchia, and to our left a narrow valley dominated by Mont Thabor which reaches 2178 metres (7143ft).
Ascent: 462m (1515ft) Descent: 462m (1515ft) Distance: 10 km (6.3 miles) Duration: 4h00
There are many local routes in the Vallee de la Claree to choose from, such as the Chalets des Acles. This is a gorgeous valley which is less frequented than others. We begin at Plampinet where we take a steep but steady trail through the pines. On our way we pass the Oratoire Saint-Roch, and then reaching some clearings we arrive at the old farm buildings of Chalet des Acles which are grouped around an ancient chapel. After enjoying our picnic lunch and taking in those final high mountain views of this beautiful part of the world we will descend for our final night and cosy dinner in our ancient hamlet of Nevache.
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 9.8km (6 miles) Duration: 4h30
This morning we head for a high open valley in the mountains, called Vallon du Creuzet. In the summer months it provides grazing for the herds of cattle, but in summer it is a silent white world.
Our objective will be a wander into the beautiful high combe below the structure of the 'Ancient Fort de l'Olive'. The Fort was built in 1881 and was the third and final fort built near Briançon as part of a system of fortifications in the 1870s and 1880's. The first part of todays snowshoe hike is like walking through a Mediterranean landscape covered in snow. We wander past ancient pine trees with their gnarled trunks, and past limestone outcrops and crags reminiscent of the terrain further south. After taking in the ambiance we wander back down our route with the change to do a further loop on the way home.
Ascent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 9.5 km (6 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we begin our two day adventure in the mountains, but before our escape to the hills you have the opportunity to visit the walled city of Briancon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At an altitude of 1326 metres (4350 feet) it is the highest city in France, based on the French definition as a community with more than 2000 inhabitants. In 2008, several buildings of Briançon were classified as World Heritage Sites, as part of the "Fortifications of Vauban" group. They include the city walls, Redoute des Salettes, Fort des Trois-Têtes, Fort du Randouillet, and the Asfeld Bridge. They were designed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633–1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV.
We will return to Nevache by mid-day to begin our relatively easy climb to the Refuge de Buffère. The trail to this lovely rustic Refuge is normally very good as they use a snow-mobile to re-stock the Refuge and the path will be pressed down. A steady climb through the pines takes us to the refuge where we will be spending the night. The Refuge prides itself on its excellent meals made with local or organic food. It also likes to offer its guests locally brewed beers, perhaps some home made Génépi, or their delicate liqueur made from Edelweiss! Now, that's an interesting proposition Edelweiss liqueur?
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 4.5km (2.8 miles) Duration: 3h00
This morning we will leave our cosy Refuge and explore the ground beyond as we make our way to the Col de la Buffère. This is an excellent goal for our day in the mountains and one which offers fabulous views to the massif of the Ecrins mountains. We begin by wandering through the larch trees that are scattered just above the Refuge, however, the terrain soon opens out and we have a wonderful large valley to enjoy. The trail is very steady as it makes its way to the Col de la Buffère which sits at 2427m (7960ft) and where, weather dependent, we will aim to eat our picnic lunch. After savouring the views we will descend back to the Refuge for a hot drink before descending back to the village.
Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Distance: 11.5km (7.2 miles) Duration: 6h00
Today is your departure from this beautiful hidden gem of the Haute Alps.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
In the event of there being a lean winter and a lack of snow to cover the entirety of our route this trip will go ahead. Snowshoes are an aid to hiking in winter and if we do not require them we will still enjoy a winter walking trip.
On all our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. We are painstaking in our research to give you the best option possible and one that is good value. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender.
Nevache is a tiny community and accommodation options are very limited, we have listed our preferred choices below. If you have requested a 'single' room, which will incur a supplement, then please note that 'single' rooms are very limited in number. Therefore if you are considering this holiday and would like a bedroom to yourself we would urge you to get in touch as soon as possible so that we can secure the best options. If you would like to know more about the accommodation please contact us.
The Hotel Echaillon is situated in the valley of Nevache, and in the hamlet of Roubion. The Échaillon, which is 2*, has 19 en suite rooms, some with balcony. The hotel has a bar, a lounge with a fireplace, and a south facing terrace. There is a wellness area, with sauna, and steam room, which must be booked in advance, for a charge of 7 Euros per session. The hotel also arranges massages on site. Downstairs, there's a drying room, for shoes and other wet or damp clothing.
This really is a gorgeous Refuge and very comfortable. The Refuge prides itself on its excellent meals made with local or organic food. It also likes to offer its guests locally brewed beers, perhaps some home made Génépi, or their delicate liqueur made from Edelweiss! Now, that's an interesting proposition Edelweiss liqueur? Some bedrooms are available rather than the normal dormitory refuge style. This requires early booking on your behalf.
Arrival
There are various options for getting to the area. Briançon is the nearest large town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and itself worth visiting. It is about 30 mins drive from Névache.
If you fly to Turin, Italy, we will collect you at the airport, and take you to your accommodation. This will be at a time to suit the majority of the group, but no later than 16h30 on the arrival day. The transfer time is approximately 2h15.
You can also take the TGV train from the UK and from various major cities in Europe, to Briancon. From Briançon you can take a local bus or a taxi to your accommodation. Another major train station is at Oulx which on train timetables is often called Oulx-Cesana-Clavière-Sestrières, in Italy. This is serviced by the French TGV.
See Rail Europe and the Tourist Office, at Briançon, which gives various ways of getting to Briançon. From Briancon or Oulx you can take a local bus or a taxi to your accommodation.
Early arrivals can either wait at the airport, or if enough time allows make use of the 50 minute Turin Eco City Tour detailed on the Turin Airport website.
Departure
A transfer back to Turin airport, in Italy is included. We will leave your accommodation in time to reach the airport by 1100hrs. Your flight back from Turin should ideally be from 13h00 onwards on the departure day.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss flight and transfer times.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way.
In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F).
The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Items for your overnight in the mountain hut/refuge
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £400.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your snowshoe guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.
Your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
For this trip we ask that you keep your luggage to a minimum. To make travelling to your accommodation easier we have included a pick up from Turin airport. However, it means that there may be 8 people in a minibus with limited space for luggage. Your guide will also be arriving with all the snowshoe equipment for your week ahead, and this also will be in the minibus. In addition you will have to carry your luggage up stairs to your accommodation so please keep luggage as small and light as possible.
On this trip you will spend one night in a remote mountain hut and on this night you will not have access to your luggage which will be left at your main accommodation. You will be required to carry just a few extra items in your rucksack for this overnight.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
In some countries such as Switzerland and Italy it’s not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will pay for the tap water at the accommodation during the evening meal when on half board, but not at lunch stops.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
As the winter season approaches, it's time to embrace the beauty of snowy landscapes and outdoor adventures. To help you make the most of your holiday, we've put together some essential tips and suggestions on how to prepare for your winter getaway. Click here to find some suggestions on how to prepare for both cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2427m (7960ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Turin Airport, Italy |
