• Alpine Adventure: Briancon to St Etienne de Tinee/Roya

• (Part 3 of a trek from Lake Geneva to Nice along the length of the French Alps)

• Everyday (subject to availability) from 17 June to 23 September

• From £1075/€1175 per person based on 2 sharing.
• Price of holiday & luggage transfers reduces if more than 2 in your party. Please contact us for a quote.

• From £825/€910 per person based on 2 sharing
• Price of holiday reduces if more than 2 in your party. Please contact us for a quote.

• 8 nights, 7 days self-guided mountain walking moving between gites, auberges, hotels and refuges
• Also possible to book parts 3 and 4 together see Braincon to Nice

• 3rd leg of a trek along the full length of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice
• Discovering the beautiful Queyras Regional Park
• Exploring the pretty and quiet Ubaye Valley
• Breath-taking scenery of Mercantour National Park
• Visit the historic town of Briancon

• You’ll be staying in private rooms for 2 in gites, simple hotels and mountain auberges. Shared bathroom except for two nights. You’ll be served wholesome local cuisine. All evening meals are included in your holiday price with the exception of the first night.

• 8 night’s half board accommodation (except one evening meal);
• 1 transfer at the start of day 6 to avoid road walking,
• detailed walking notes and walking maps,
• transport of luggage between accommodation if this option is chosen

• Travel to Briancon at start of walking holiday and from St Etienne de Tinee at end of holiday; drinks with evening meals, lunches, one evening meal, travel insurance, anything else not listed above

• See other similar holidays:
• All other mountain walking holidays - Alpine Adventure Lake Geneva to Chamonix - Alpine Adventure Chamonix to Briancon - Tour of Queyras - Tour of Vanoise - Marvels of Mercantour - Tour of Ubaye - Travels through Alpine Provence: Baronnies

Walking Profile

7 days self-guided walking between accommodation. Walking per day amounts to an average of 5hrs 30 - 7hrs 30 walking and 1000m of ascent and descent. Maximum altitude gain: 1380m. The walk follows the GR5 for the most part. The walks take place on paths, although they are mountainous and rocky in nature. You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be experienced in walking on mountainous terrain with a good head for heights.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Briancon. Night in hotel

Day 2: Briancon - Arvieux (1750m)

From the centre of Briancon you'll follow the beautiful Ayes Valley with its numerous traditional chalets originally built for use for summer pasture. After the first main col you'll enter the wonderful Queyras Regional Park, home to numerous wildflife and affording expansive views. A lovely descent into the dramatic Arvieux Valley. + 1380m ; - 1000 m; 7hr 30

Day 3: Arvieux (1750m) - Ville Vieille (1380m)

From Arvieux climb out of the valley to reach the beauttiful Lac Roue and then the preserved mountain hamlet of Souliers. Traverse the mountain side to reach Meyries and views across the Guil Valley towards the summits of the Queyras. Descend to the village of Ville Vieille. +780m, -1085m, 6 hours

Day 4: Ville Vieille (1380m) - Ceillac (1640m)

A climb through larch forest, pretty flower filled clearings and the sound of cow bells will take you to the high pastures of Pres fromage (cheese field!). Pass by the bright white gypsum ravines at “Ruine Blanche” before climbing towards Col Fromage (2301m) passing striking limestone peaks on the way. After the col you'll get great panoramic views towards the mighty peaks of Font Sancte (over 3300m) and the beautiful valley below where the village of Ceillac nestles. It is possible to take a dramatic traverse over the Crete de Chambrettes for stunning views. + 1055m ; - 800 m; 6hr

Day 5: Ceillac (1640m) - Maljasset (1900m)

From Ceillac you'll discover the amazing waterfall, Cascade de la Pisse and then higher up two beautiful lakes - Lac Miroir set in pasture with its green waters reflecting the surrounding limestone rock walls, and Lac Ste Anne with its deep turquoise waters set in a cirque at the base of Fonte Sancte (3385 m). A small climb brings you to Col Girardin (2699m) with wonderful views back towards the Queyras and ahead into the Ubaye Valley. A pretty descent brings you to the hamlet of Maljasset. Small transfer from Maljasset to Fouillouse. + 1100m ; - 835 m; 6hr 45

Day 6: Fouillouse (1900m) - Larche (1660m)

Walk to the Col du Vallonnet at 2524m, dominated by the summit of Brec de Chambeyron (3389m). A beautiful and wild valley leads you on to Col de Mallemort (2558m) where you start your descent to the village of Larche. You are now walking for the next couple of days in the Mercantour National Park. + 840m ; - 1050 m; 6hr 15

Day 7: Larche (1660m) - Bousieyas (1883m)

A beautiful trail in the small valley of Ubayette to reach lake Lauzanier at 2285m before a steep climb to the mountain pass called Pas de la Cavale Beau at 2675m. A small descent through alpine meadows and pastures before a small climb to Col des Fourches (2262m). Afterwards, descend to Boussieyas in 45 minutes and your accommodation. +1200m ; - 980 m; 7hr 15

Day 8: Bousieyas (1883m) - St Etienne de Tinee (1490m)

Your walking trail crosses the alpine pastures of Col de la Colombiere with the possibility of going to the summit of Tete de Vinaigre (2394m) for great views. Then descend to the village of St Dalmas le Selvage before climbing to the next mountain pass called Col d'Anelle. You'll then descend to reach the village of St Etienne de Tinee. +690m ; - 1400 m; 5hr 30

Day 9: Departure

Departure after breakfast. See travel section for information on bus service to Nice.

If you wish to book part 4 of the GR5 trail at the same time, then please see our combined holiday page alpine adventure parts 3 & 4

If booking part 4 separately you can choose between the usuanl part 4 GR5 trail to Nice or a longer trail via the GR52 and the heart of the Mercantour National Park, finishing in Menton