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ALPINE ADVENTURE: GR5 BRIANCON TO NICE

Highlights

3rd & 4th legs of a trek along the full length of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice. Discovering the beautiful Queyras Regional Park.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $2550 per person

All highlights

These are the 3rd and 4th stages of a mythical walk which follows the GR 5 long-distance trail from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps . We have split the walk into several self-guided walking holidays , although it would be possible to combine them. Our walking holidays include luggage transfers (if you wish) so that you can enjoy the amazing scenery with only a light day pack. From Briançon, you’ll first traverse the beautiful Queyras regional park with its wonderful wild alpine flowers and great panoramic views, before moving onto the secret Alps of the Ubaye Valley. From there it’s onto the majestic and wild Mercantour National Park, with great wildlife before discovering the wonderful perched villages of the Provence in the Maritime Alps. You can do this 12-day section in one go or choose to split it into two parts with a 7-day walking holiday from Briancon to Roya and a 5-day walking break from Roya to Nice. The second of these two sections is easier than the first. The traverse of the French Alps is a truly unforgettable experience as you head south passing by the majestic summits of the Mont Blanc range before passing through the Vanoise and Mercantour National Parks. Your wonderful trail passes through a variety of landscapes, wildlife habitats, and historic sites including the green alpine pastures of the Savoy, rocky deserts in the Queyras, beautiful perched villages of the Roya, snowy peaks of the Mont Blanc and ibex in the Mercantour. Holiday Profile .

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Briancon. Night in hotel. .

Day 2: Briançon (1200m) - Arvieux (1750m)

From the centre of Briançon, you'll follow the beautiful Ayes Valley with its numerous traditional chalets originally built for use for summer pasture. After the first main col (Col des Ayes at 2477m) you'll enter the wonderful Queyras Regional Park, home to numerous wildlife and affording expansive views. A lovely descent into the dramatic Arvieux Valley. We have provided you with the chance to do an additional climb via the dramatic and more remote Col du Cros.. Overnight: Arvieux , + 1380m ; - 1000 m; 7hr 30 . .

Day 3: Arvieux (1685m) - Ceillac (1640m)

Today, the main route takes you past a beautiful lake with a Canadian flavour and a small mountain hamlet. Descent into the Guil valley to reach Fort Queyras, a real bastion of the king's army under Louis XIV. Before arriving in the valley, keep an eye out for the endemic flower: the Astragale Queue de Renard (Fox's tail)! Then 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..

Day 4: 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.. Overnight: Maljasset, Walk: + 1100m ; - 835 m; 6hr 45 . .

Day 5: 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.. Overnight: Larche, Walk: +840m; - 1050 m; 6hr 15 . .

Day 6: 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). Afterward, descend to Boussieyas in 45 minutes and your accommodation.. Overnight: Bousieyas, Walk: + 1200m ; - 980 m; 7hr 15 . .

Day 7: 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.. Overnight: Saint Etienne de Tinee, Walk: +690m; - 1400 m; 5hr 30 . .

Day 8: Roya (1490m) - Roure (1883m) ou St Saveur sur Tinée

Transfer to Roya. A walk traversing through mountain pastures to reach the Col de Crousette followed by a beautiful ridge crossing to the Col de Moulines. Depending on the comfort you choose, you can stop off at the Longon hut (dormitory) or continue onwards to Roure, where a taxi will be waiting to take you to St Sauveur de Tinée (room for 2). . Overnight: Roure, Walk: from +1429 to +1514m; - 1655 m; 6hr to 8hr . .

Day 9: Refuge Longon (1890m) - Roubion (1350m) - Saint Dalmas Valdeblore (1050m)

You leave directly from your arrival point of the day before: Roubion or St Sauveur de Tinée. An easier day of transition around the perched villages of the Nice highlands such as Rougios or La Bolline and Rimplas, La Roche and Saint Dalmas, a picturesque village.. Overnight: Saint Dalmas Valdeblore, Walk from St Saveur: from+1040m to +1243m; from -265m to - 1880m; 5-8 hr . .

Day 11: Utelle (850m) - Levens (550m)

Very nice crossing of the massif above the Vésubie valley. The variant of the GR towards the ridge (orientation table) and the Toasquet Valley is worth the diversions. Then a beautiful balcony over the Vésubie that you cross at Pont du Cros. Then a short climb to Levens, the endpoint of the day. Leave the GR to discover this beautiful perched village. Overnight at the communal gîte, single night formula. Inn in the village or grocery shop for your meals.. Overnight: Levens, Walk: +400m; -1000 m; 5hr30 . .

Day 12: Levens (550m) - Nice (0m)

A forest trail brings you to a magnificent viewpoint over the Maritime Alps at the summit of Mont Cima (878m). You'll then descend to the historic village of Aspremont with its alleyways forming concentric circles around its centre, before a small climb brings you to Mont Chauve. Here a longer variation is possible. A last descent brings you to Gairaud, the end of the official GR 5 trail and the end of your Alpine Adventure. A short bus ride will take you to Nice and the Mediterranean Sea for a well-earned rest.. The holiday ends after your walk on day 13 or book an extra night's accommodation in Nice. Walk: +550m ; -1000 m; 5hr 45 . .

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$2550	$1860	$1660	$1560
Price per kid	$1330	$970	$860	$810

Services

Included:

12 night's half board accommodation in gites, simple hotels and refuges with private rooms (except for two nights in dormitories, 1.00);
2 transfers during the walk to access accommodation;
detailed walking notes and walking maps
transport of luggage between accommodations if chosen (except for one night where you'll need to carry overnight gear)

Excluded:

Travel to Briancon at start of walking holiday and from Nice at end of holiday;
drinks with evening meals, lunches and 2 evening meals in Briancon and St Etienne de Tinee
accommodation in Nice,
travel insurance,
anything else not listed above

Optional:

Extra Nights
Combining trips
Changing or Tailor-made holidays
Tailor Made Trips

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Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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