Overview
For the past three years, Undiscovered Mountains has been the trusted partner for our Year 8 Leavers’ Programme at Yardley Court, Somerhill — and their impact on our pupils has been profound. Based in the southern French Alps, the team brings decades of local expertise and a genuine passion for crafting tailor-made adventures that suit the needs and ethos of each group they work with.
Our June expeditions are a highlight of the school year. Each trip is carefully shaped to combine physical challenge, personal growth, and natural beauty — from multi-day hikes through the Queyras, summiting peaks like Le Rouchon (2929m), and staying in remote mountain refuges, to paddleboarding, white-water rafting, via ferrata and the always-popular canyoning. These experiences are far from touristy — they offer an authentic immersion into Alpine life, landscapes and culture.
The guides are knowledgeable and encouraging, managing to stretch pupils outside their comfort zones while keeping a close eye on safety and group dynamics. As with any trip of this scale and complexity, there are times when plans shift or weather conditions change — but the trip remains flexible and responsive to our needs, without losing its structure or sense of adventure.
From the planning stage to the return flight, communication with the team — especially founder Sally — is excellent. Questions are answered promptly, itinerary changes discussed openly, and their local connections allow us to access places and experiences that would be difficult to organise through larger operators.
This is more than just a school trip. It is a digital detox, a lesson in self-reliance, and a rite of passage. Boys come back stronger, more confident, and with stories that ripple through the school for years to come. Their post-trip presentations — especially the footage from their canyoning and hiking challenges — have left many younger pupils determined to stay on for Year 8 just to take part.
Undiscovered Mountains helps transform an end-of-year excursion into a truly life-shaping adventure. For any school or family seeking a meaningful, memorable and responsibly managed expedition in the Alps, we recommend Sally and her team wholeheartedly.
