The trip

LEVEL ***

Average elevation per day: 900 m.
Maximum elevation: 1450 m.
Maximum altitude of passage: 2800 m.
Altitude of accommodations: around 1800 m on average
Walking time: 5 to 7.30 hours per day
Type of hike: mountain route with no technical difficulty and accessible to children from 12 years.
Type of terrain: easy paths of medium mountain. The trails are well marked, you will often be above the stage of vegetation, so just a few passages in the forest. In the Mercantour, some pass passes will take place in scree.
You only carry your belongings of the day except for the night of the day 4 (refuge des Merveilles), your bags will be directly transported to the Silver Camp. It will be necessary to take with you your belongings for the night.

Travel made in collaboration with our local partners, willing to concoct an authentic stay.

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we give you a travel file with:
- IGN map with route layout.
- 1 road-book with all the necessary information for the hike.
- 1 card holder.
- The list of accommodations.

HIKE 

In France, the "Grande Randonnée" trails are marked in red and white (in both directions).
It is better to master the IGN map reading at 1/25000 and 1/50000.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Without luggage transport: your luggages are carried by you exclusively.
With luggage transport: your luggage is daily transported to your accommodation by a vehicle except on day 4. 

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC
6 nights in mountain refuge or comfortable gîte in dormitory and collective room.
COMFORT
In option, room for two people (depending on availability when booking) (double room in gite: sheets and towels not provided, sanitary to share). Supplement is 115€/person. Possibility of double room for nights 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
In option: 6 picnics (day 1 prepared by yourself): 90€ for the week to book at registration.They also can be ordered the day before, directly on the spot.

PHYSICAL CONDITION

To be able to easily walk 15km (on flat trails) in 3 hours maximum.
If this is not the case, at least 3 weeks before departure, 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to undertake some prior fitness training: 4 to 5 km of jogging or 3 to 4 hours hiking or cycling. Your physical preparation will enable you enjoy your trek to the maximum.

Practical information

DEPARTURES

From mid-june to mid-septembre 

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT 

You will leave your bags at the Lauzanier inn in Larche (exit the village towards Italy), this is the start of your hike.
If you have chosen the option to transfer the day 1 between the SNCF station of Guillestre-Montdauphin and Larche, RDV at 8am precise at the SNCF train station.

BY TRAIN:
The easiest way to access this tour is by train as it is a linear hike and not a loop (please consult the SNCF to know the exact times.
Go: stop at Montdauphin station - Guillestre (Paris - Valence - Briançon line). You can arrive by night train or arrive more comfortably the day before by day train and sleep at the Lacour hotel at the SNCF station in Montdauphin-Guillestre.
Return: at the Menton station, you can reach Nice (Nice > Menton: 40 mn) and the trains or planes that take you to major destinations (arrival at the Nice station between 4pm and 6pm).

BY CAR:
In order to plan your trip, we advise you to inquire about your route at the different sites: Via Michelin or Mappy.
You can reach Larche by car directly: from Gap, Ubaye valley take direction Barcelonnette then Larche pass (Italian border). The village of Larche is 5 km before the pass. The Lauzanier inn is located at the exit of the village of Larche. Free and unguarded parking near the hostel or tourist office.

Return to Montdauphin - Guillestre station if you came by car. Or, possibility to book the shuttle Menton > Montdauphin at 240€ per person (on the basis of 2 people), about 4:30 of journey.

END OF STAY

End of the hike on Saturday around 4:30 p.m. 

your bags will be in the hotel you have booked (if you have taken the luggage transport option). If you leave Menton directly after the hike, we will drop off your bags at a hotel near the station (the hotel will charge us €15 per bag if you do not stay overnight).

Return by train:

At Menton train station, you can reach Nice (Nice => Menton: 40 mins) and the trains or planes that take you back to major destinations (arriving at Nice station between 4 and 6 pm).
Night trains : Nice - Paris; TGV;
Shuttle bus to Nice - Côte d'Azur airport in front of Nice Ville station, on the right along the avenue in front of the station.
You can spend the night in a hotel close to the station in Nice or Menton.
Or return to Montdauphin - Guillestre station if you came by car, but it will take you at least 5 hours to get back by train.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE STAY

Possibility of arriving the day before:
At the Auberge du Lauzanier in Larche +33 (0)4 92 84 35 93 (starting point for the next day).
At the Hotel Lacour at the Montdauphin - Guillestre train station +33 (0)4 92 45 03 08 (then transfer to Larche optional, 40€ per person).

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle (except day 4). You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 10kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the the driver to refuges, which access is not always easy! Luggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!