Alpine Trekking Adventure:

Peak Bagging in the French & Italian Alps

• July - mid September

• Depends on size of group, please contact us for a quote

• grade explained

• One week's guided trekking holiday at altitude near Mont Viso in the Alps on the French/Italian border. Trekking between mountain refuges and gites summiting several peaks over 3000m
• Find out more general information about our guided holidays

• Summiting several exhilarating 3000m peaks in the French and Italian Alps
• An exciting trek through the Alps linking dramatic summits and cols in a challenging week's trekking
• Stunning Alpine views of Mont Viso and the surrounding landscapes of rugged alpine peaks, rocky deserts, alpine pastures, beautiful lakes and historic alpine villages.
• An unspoilt region, part of which forms the region park of the Queyras, with a rich alpine wildlife
• Luggage transported between guest houses for much of the trek

• B&B or hotel for the first and last night. On trek - a mixture of mountain refuges or huts and gites, with a mixture of private rooms and dormitories. The comfort varies according to the style. The mountain huts are much more basic. However there is a convivial atmosphere and the surroundings are magical. Meals will be taken in your guest houses and will be local specialities.

1. Transfers from Lyon airport and train station to first night's accommodation in Alps, 7 nights' accommodation, full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure), transport of luggage on 5 days, 6 guided days trekking

1. Travel to Lyon, France (consult our travel shop for travel operators), lunches on the day of arrival and departure, transfers other than those from Guillestre, drinks to accompany some meals in guest houses and mountain huts, travel insurance

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Trekking profile

This is a challenging trek in mountainous terrain in the Alps. The daily walks are long and involve considerable ascents and descents. Average days are 6 - 8 hours trekking with about 1150m of ascent and descent each day. One day is particularly long and if the alpine ascent is included would amount to over 1700m of ascension in the day. The paths vary from good wide tracks to rocky and sometimes unstable or ill-defined trails leading to airy summits. In some places the summit paths require the use of hands for stability, i.e. easy scrambling

This holiday would be suitable for people who are fit and experienced hill walkers, used to easy scrambling on steepish slopes and some exposure due to drops.

In addition much of the trek takes places between 2000 and 3000m, where the effects of altitude can be felt. Depending on weather conditions there is the possibility of going to five alpine summits above 3000m. The highest summit of the week is the Grand Glaiza which is at 3293m or 10,803ft.

Only limited backpacking is required. Overnight gear and spare clothes will need to be carried, but our main luggage will be transported between mountain huts and gites. Only on two nights will you not have access to your main luggage. This will help to reduce the difficulty and give you more energy to enjoy the trekking and peak bagging.

There is only likely to be small patches of snow at this time of year. Some northern slopes close to high passes or summits may have small banks of snow.

Alpine trekking Holiday

Day 1: Arrival,

Welcome, pick-up from Lyon airport or train station and drive to first guest house near the village of St Véran in the French Alps

Day 2: St Véran - Refuge Agnel (6hrs, +1050m, -450m)

Our first day's trek takes us from the highest village in Europe up over our first 3000m summit and down to the refuge Agnel. Our trail follows an old canal that was used originally for copper and silver mining. After an initial climb, the path is level for a long time, easing you gently into the week's trekking. After the Chapelle de Clausis the trek climbs to the Col de Saint-Véran on the border with Italy, with the pointed matterhorn-like peak of Tête de Toillies dominating our view. From the col there is nearly 200m ascent to the first of our 3000m peaks - the Pic de Caramantran (3025m) from where there are magnificent views. A fairly steep descent follows to get to our overnight mountain hut - the refuge Agnel. Enjoy a lovely high altitude evening in stunning surrounding watching the sun set.

Day 3: Summits from Refuge Agnel (7hrs, +1150m, -1150m)

On the second day of our trekking holiday in the Alps, we'll do some excursions from the refuge, with the intention of bagging two more alpine peaks above 3000m. Each is a half day trek and therefore they divide the day nicely into a morning and afternoon. The Pain de Sucre (3208m) looks steep but as long as the conditions are good it provides a fairly straightforward ascent with some limited very easy scrambling following waymarks along small scree paths and stone slabs. The summit provides excellent views of the Pic d'Asti and the Mont Viso. The Pic de Foréant (3081m) is easier than the Pain de Sucre and is another fabulous Queyras viewpoint with wonderful 360 degree views. The route ascends to the Col de l'Eychassier before descending slightly to two lakes, after which a path follows a steep ridge to its summit. Return to the refuge to celebrate two great summits. Alternative walks are possible in the event of poor weather.

Day 4: Refuge Agnel - Refuge Viso (8hrs, +1360m, -1480m)

This day's guided trek takes an excursion into Italy in the shadow of Mont Viso and takes in another 3000m peak. After crossing the Col d'Agnel, thought to be one of the crossing points used by Hannibal and his elephants, there follows a long descent to the South into Italy. The route then climbs eastwards through the isolated Soustra Valley to the Col de Vallante. From the Passo della Losetta we can make the detour to climb Pointe Joanne (3052m) which at just over 10,000ft provides outstanding views of the surrounding mountains, dominated by Mont Viso, with its sheer 1000m of steep rock face. The trek then contours around the mountain to the Col de Valante before descending to the north into France and down to the refuge de Viso which is in a superb location. You will be without your luggage at the refuge Viso.

Day 5 Refuge Viso - L'Echalp (6hrs30mn, +1000m, -1800m)

Our third day trekking takes us over two cols with a detour back into Italy passing through some wonderful scenery. There is no peak on this day, although there is an optional excursion to start the day by climbing to the Col de la Traversette where there is a short tunnel, thought to be the first built in the Alps in the 18th century, through the mountain allowing passage to the other side. This would add 500m to the amount of ascent done in the day. The trail takes us to the Col Sellière where there are great views of Mont Viso and Mont Aiguillete. Here we re-enter Italy and descend steeply to the Lago Lungo lake in a beautiful mountain setting. A long an enjoyable descent down the picturesque Pellice Valley, where you'll pass through remote farmsteads and hamlets unchanged for centuries, is followed by an ascent to the Col Lacroix on the French border. The final descent brings down to L'Echalp in the Guil Valley.

Day 6 L'Echalp - Les Fonts de Cervières (8-10hrs30min, +1320m to 1775m, -870 to 1320m)

Day 5 of our trek is the toughest day of the guided holiday, especially if you take in our highest alpine peak of the week, Grand Glaiza (3293m), which at almost 11,000ft offers superb views and a fitting high point to the week. After an initial walk along the Guil Valley the trek climbs to the pretty lake le Grand Laus, which makes a good resting place. From there we can take a path leading directly to the summit of the Pic du Malrif (2906m), which is a worthwhile objective in itself, offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges, including the Ecrins with its high glaciated peaks. Providing there is good conditions, we will then follow the ridgeline Crête aux Eaux Pendantes climbing 425m in a series of bluffs over the course of 2km to our last alpine summit over 3000m. After returning to the col directly above the lake we descend down a lush valley alongside a sparkling stream to reach the hamlet of les Fonts de Cervières and our mountain gite for a well deserved rest. You will be without your luggage at this refuge/gite.

Day 7 Les Fonts de Cervières - Arvieux, (6hrs, +650m -1000m)

Our last day's guided trek is relatively straight forward compared to previous days, although depending on the fitness of the group and previous day's conditions, it is possible to extend the day by making an ascent of the Grand Vallon (2867m). The day starts with a moderate ascent to the Col de Peas which is overshadowed by the towering peak 'Pic de Rochebrune' to the west. From there the route to the summit of the Grand Vallon involves a 250m climb. The descent from the col is enjoyable, descending steadily to the village of Souliers. Our trail then contours before descending to the Izoard Valley, passing the lovely Lac Roue. Our last B&B in the parish of Arvieux provides us with some relative luxury.

Day 8:  Departure

After breakfast, transport to Lyon

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