Explore the French Alps on snowshoes with this 4-day guided hut-to-hut trek. Stay in remote mountain refuges, enjoy stunning winter landscapes, and discover the magic of the mountains in winter.
Location: Clarée Valley, Southern French Alps
Step into a pristine winter wilderness on this guided snowshoeing adventure through the stunning Clarée Valley. Journey through silent larch forests that open out onto wide alpine snowfields and high mountain panoramas, all blanketed in untouched snow. With cosy mountain refuges and a carefully designed route that balances accessibility with optional challenges, this is the perfect blend of serenity, adventure, and alpine immersion.
The Clarée Valley is one of the Alps’ best-kept secrets. Protected from development and traffic, it offers a true sense of escape. Snow-covered in winter, the valley reveals a magical landscape of frozen streams, snow-dusted trees, and spectacular peaks. Its natural beauty, varied terrain, and quiet trails make it ideal for snowshoeing. The route between the Buffère, Chardonnet, and Laval refuges offers just the right balance of challenge, reward, and alpine charm.
Throughout the trip, you’ll be guided by a qualified accompagnateur en montagne – a professional mountain leader who lives locally and knows the Clarée Valley in all its winter moods. These guides are trained in snow safety and group management in winter conditions. Their qualification includes avalanche awareness, use of safety equipment (transceiver, probe, and shovel), and adapting the route based on snowpack and terrain.
Your guide will not only ensure a safe experience but also bring the landscape to life with their local knowledge and passion for the mountains.
This trip is ideal for people who enjoy being active in nature and are looking for a peaceful yet rewarding winter experience away from the crowds. You don’t need to be a mountaineer or have snowshoeing experience – just a solid level of walking fitness and the ability to enjoy 3–4 hours of steady movement each day.
It’s important to note that snowshoeing generally requires more effort than walking on dry ground – often 20–40% more, depending on snow conditions. A 5km route in snow can feel more like an 8–10km hike, and an ascent of 400–500m may feel closer to 600–800m in terms of physical effort. The route has been carefully designed to allow a comfortable pace, with time for breaks and optional afternoon loops for those who want to go further.
If you love crisp mountain air, snowy landscapes, cosy alpine refuges, and the satisfaction of travelling under your own steam, this adventure will be a perfect fit.
You need to get to Briançon for this trip. Briançon is a fascinating town with its Vauban fortress situated in the heart of the southern French Alps and well worth a visit if you want to extend your trip.
From Paris SNCF operates a direct night train (Intercités de nuit) from Paris Austerlitz to Briançon, offering an efficient time saving overnight journey. Alternatively, daytime services are available with a transfer at Valence or Grenoble, taking approximately 6 to 9 hours in total.
From Marseille: There are direct TER trains from Marseille to Briançon, with the fastest journeys taking approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes. This route offers a scenic journey through the Alps.
From Turin Airport (Italy)
If you're flying into Turin Airport, there are transfers directly to Briançon with Linkbus or you can reach Briançon via public transport by getting the train from Turin Caselle Airport to Torino Porta Susa station and then from there to Oulx-Cesana-Clavière-Sestrières where there is a regular bus to Briançon.
From Marseille Airport:
From Marseille airport you can get the shuttle to the main Marseille St Charles station and then the train to Briançon from there (see above). A long but beautiful journey!
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