Snowshoeing New Year's Eve in the Vercors Highlands
Duration : 4 days
France, Northern Alps, Southern Alps
Level : good physical condition essential, 4 to 6 hours walking per day
from 440 € / p. from 6 to 12 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
I would like to invite you to finish 2024 and start 2025 in an original way, in an extraordinary place: the Vercors Highlands conservation area.
In small groups, we will be immersing ourselves in this immense wilderness with snowshoes, before spending a convivial first evening in the Chaumailloux refuge. Ideally located, it offers simple, rustic comfort, with just the right amount of "pure mountain" atmosphere. After waking up to a magical view of Mont Aiguille, we will spend the day hiking in the exceptional setting of the Vercors Highlands. Then it is off to celebrate at the gateway to the conservation area, in the simple, warm surroundings of the Auberge du vallon de Combeau, where Gilles, the host, has cooked up an invigorating meal.
To sum up, this is the ideal snowshoeing program to start the year in a relaxed atmosphere and leave feeling energized and fulfilled after a great soak in nature.
If you are in the mood for other similar adventures, I also offer the following winter packages:
- crossing the Vercors on snowshoes, from Isère to Drôme,
- a snowshoeing holiday in the southern Vercors massif,
- an autonomous snowshoe raid on the Vercors High Plateaux,
- and a weekend of snowshoeing in the southern Vercors.
Program
D1: Snowshoe hike to the Auberge des Chaumailloux.
We arrive at the Combeau hostel at 10.30am, where we divide up the food (we leave what we don't need for the evening), then set off in the direction of Chaumailloux. We're quickly caught up in the atmosphere of the Hauts-Plateaux, as the views open up and the wide-open spaces stretch out their arms to us. The Chaumailloux shepherd's hut is located in the heart of the Vercors Highlands conservation area, at an altitude of 1600 meters. It's the ideal place to fall asleep and wake up in the mountains. With no running water (but a spring nearby), solar panels, a wood-burning stove and dry toilets, it's the ideal cocoon for a warm evening away from it all.
Walking time: 4 hours, altitude positive difference: 500 meters, negative altitude difference: 200 meters.
D2: Auberge des Chaumailloux - Vallon de Combeau.
Today we take the superb route across the southern part of the Vercors Highlands conservation area, passing the Jardin du Roi sheepfold, the Croix du Lautaret and the Col du Creuson, before reaching the Combeau valley. Here, at the end of the world, our lodge awaits us for the evening.
Walking time: 6 hours, D+: 400m, D-: 700m.
D3: Loop around the Combeau valley.
This time we follow the ridges at the southern end of the Highlands. Via the Col de la Lauzette, we reach the crests of the Grande Leyrié and then the summit of Mont Barral, an incomparable viewpoint over the Grand Oisans and the elegant peaks of the Dévoluy massif. We return to Combeau via the Col de Côte Chèvre. We return to the lodge to celebrate December 31st in the mountains!
Walking time: 3 to 5 hours, D+: 400m, D-: 400m.
D4: End of stay.
Last glimpses of the valley's captivating scenery, and departure after breakfast.
Walking times given are indicative and may vary according to conditions (with or without snow). The itinerary may be adapted by the guide according to snow conditions, group level or weather conditions. The program will be maintained even in the absence of snow, as the atmosphere of the Highlands in winter light remains exceptional.
The price includes
- Supervision by a mountain leader.
- Food and full-board accommodation.
The price does not include
- Transport to and from the Auberge de Combeau, about 2 hours' drive from Valence or Grenoble.
- Pick-up and drop-off at Die train station if necessary (supplement 30€/person).
- Rental of snowshoes and poles (15€/person for 3 days).
- Drinks and personal expenses.
- Assistance-cancellation insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".
Accommodation
- The Chaumailloux sheepfold-hut is a former sheepfold run and maintained by the "Association des Skieurs du Mont Aiguille". It sleeps 14, divided into two small dormitories with mattresses (blankets available on site). There is no running water, but a spring flows nearby. It is equipped with solar panels, a wood-burning stove and dry toilets.
- The Auberge de Combeau has 3 dormitories for 5 people, with shared showers and toilets. A large common room with a fireplace is available for meals and breakfasts.
- Picnics at lunchtime are prepared by me using local produce.
- The evening meal on the 29th will be prepared in the sheepfold.