6 days adventure hike Verdon Mercantour

1st day: Thorame-Haute – Peyresq :

500 m of positive altitude change – 2h30 to 3h of walking according to the itinerary chosen by the guide

Meeting point at 3pm at the Thorame-Haute train station where the guide will wait for the hikers. The luggage will be deposited in the logistician’s car before the departure of the train at 3:36 pm, which will bring the group to the stop of Peyresq*.

Several options:

– Access to the village of Peyresq by the Vaïre valley (3h walk)

– Access to the village of Peyresq by the Colle St Michel* (2h30 walk) in case of disturbance on the train line or according to the decision of the AEM on the choice of the itinerary (in this case the group will not take the train)..

• Dinner and night :
  Welcoming accommodation and meals in Peyresq (alt. 1528m.), an unusual perched village that dominates the Vaïre valley from a rocky outcrop. Overnight stay in dormitory or rooms of 4 to 6 people with shared sanitary facilities.

2nd day : Peyresq – Congerman Forest House

970 m of positive altitude change – 8h00 of walking

+20 mn (the next morning) with the night’s equipment from the logistician’s vehicle (small bag provided the day before)

Peyresq, the Courradour, the Cabanes du Pasquier, the Col de l’Orgeas, the Cabane de Congerman.

Interesting: the great spaces dedicated to transhumance, the pastoral huts, the possible meeting with a shepherd who will share his daily life with you…

• Dinner and night

At the Congerman lodge (1860 m) isolated in a larch forest, upstream from the Saint Pierre gorges : 3 rooms for 3 people + 1 room for 4, 1 dining room and a common living room and sanitary facilities. Built at the end of the 19th century, this building was used as lodging for the teams of planters during the great reforestation works in the mountains. The nurseries were installed on the slopes below.

3rd day : Congerman – Maison Forestière de la Fruchière

700 m of positive altitude change – 7h of walking

Gîte de Congerman, Barre de Pisse-en-l’Air, Baisse du Détroit, Lacs de Lignin, Cabane de Mouriès- Cascades de la Lance, Gîte forestier de la Fruchière. On arrival, refreshing swim in the Lance waterfalls.

Interesting: the drop (or pass) of the Détroit at 2472 m. of altitude, the lunar landscape of the lakes of Lignin, the remarkable glacial valley of the Lance and its giant potholes.

• Dinner and night

At the Fruchière gîte (1704 m): 3 rooms for 4 people, 1 dining room, terrace and shared sanitary facilities. This old renovated sheepfold, in the middle of the pastures and near the torrent of the Lance, offers a sunny terrace with a view on the steep mountains.

4th day : Forest house of La Fruchière – Forest house of Couesto

750 m of positive difference in altitude – 6h30 of walking

Forest house of La Fruchière, Ratery, Cabane vieille, Col des champs, ONF house of Couesto.

Interesting: the state forest of the Haut-Verdon planted in the 19th century to fight against erosion, the black marl landscapes of the Col des Champs… Meeting and exchanges with an agent of the Office National des Forêts who will present his job.

• Dinner and night

At the Couesto lodge (2050 m): 1 room for 4 people, 2 rooms for 3 people, 2 beds on the landing, 1 dining room and shared sanitary facilities. From this old forest ranger’s hut, the panorama unfolds in the background of the Aiguilles de Pelens, so changing at dusk as at dawn.

5th day : Couesto – Garrets

800 m of positive altitude change – 7h00 of walking

+ 20 mn (in the evening and in the morning) with the stuff of the night to the logistician’s vehicle (small bag provided the day before)

ONF house of Couesto to the ONF house of Garrets, several options:

• By the balconies in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, the glacial lake of Lausson nestled at 2327 m altitude
• Entraunes and its valley along the Var, the Aiglière waterfall…

Interesting: the panoramic views of the high valley of the Var, the herds of chamois of the Mercantour, the lake of Lausson…

• Dinner and night

At the Garrets gîte (2050 m) : 1 room for 4 people, 2 rooms for 3 people, 2 beds on the same level, 1 dining room and shared sanitary facilities. A former forestry house from the beginning of the 20th century, this lodging was also a rear base for major reforestation projects. Isolated in the heart of the Mercantour and inaccessible by car, it is in this place that you will spend the last night in the forest before rubbing the highest point of the course and slowly going back to civilization.

6th day : Garrets forest house – Thorame Haute station

600 m of positive altitude change – 5h30 of walking

Forest house of Garrets, Col de la Cayolle, Lake of Allos, Colmars les Alpes.

Interesting: passage of the Col de la Petite Cayolle, highest point of the route at 2639 m, discovery of the Garrets and Petite Cayolle high altitude lakes. Descent to the largest and most prestigious high altitude lake in Europe: the unforgettable Lac d’Allos and return to civilization.

• Return journey

Goodbye marmots… At 1:30 pm, a shuttle will take you from the parking lot of the lake of Allos to the village of Colmars les Alpes where your luggage will be waiting for you at the Tourist Office. At 2:30 pm, a regular bus transfer from Colmars les Alpes to the Thorame-Haute train station will take you back home from 3 pm.

For those who have no time constraints and wish to take the time to discover a magnificent fortified village of the house museum or a 17th century military fort, an entry is offered, it will be possible, upon request to the logistician during the stay, to take the following regular shuttle : Colmars les Alpes 6:00 pm => Thorame-Haute station 6:30 pm.

The price includes :

• 5 nights / 6 days full board from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 6
  (Except insurance and trip to the starting point),
• The presence of a mountain leader from the meeting point on day 1 to day 6 at 3pm
• The services of a logistician for the transport of luggage, the opening and closing of the lodges and the preparation of meals.

What is the required level for this trek?

You must be able to walk 5 days at a pace of 5/6 hours. Your guide will always be present at your side. Breaks are planned. In any case, we take care of the equipment and logistics for your expedition. This is a “Stimulating” difficulty, which means that you must be athletic enough to be able to do several activities over several days. Read our descriptions carefully and call us if you have any questions.

Being able to hike on a mountain trail

Experience hiking on a mountain trail is necessary. This may be your first multi-day trek. Consult us if you are unsure of your level.

What kind of accomodation?

Accommodation is organized in comfortable mountain or forest lodges. In the picturesque perched village of Peyresq on the first evening, then in four isolated forest lodges in the middle of the mountains, between 1704 and 2050 meters. These houses, entirely renovated with taste in the mountain tradition, are totally isolated in the heart of a grandiose and imposing nature, between forests and pastures. The interior layout is of a very high standard of comfort for hiking lodges. These forest lodges will be exclusively reserved for the group of hikers (12 maximum) having chosen the circuit.
Accommodation in shared rooms of 3 to 4 people and night dormitory with shared sanitary facilities.

The forest lodges are equipped with photovoltaic electricity, usable only for small equipment, cell phone or camera (hair dryer excluded)
The cell phone network is often inaccessible in mountain areas
Sheets and comforters are provided: no need to bring a sleeping bag

Dinners and breakfasts during your trek?

The restaurant of your accommodation welcomes you for dinners consisting of a single hearty dish and a dessert. Alcoholic drinks are not included and can be ordered on site.

How to register? What are the cancellation conditions?

The registration is done online by paying a deposit of 30% of the amount of the trip. You pay the balance by transfer to Verdon Voyage at least 10 days before the date of the trip. In case of cancellation before 90 days, you will only have to pay a handling fee of 50 Euros per reservation. Between 89 and 8 days, we will retain the value of the deposit. Less than 8 days, the trip will be invoiced.

What are the security conditions for this trek?

When you register, you confirm your age, physical shape and sport level.
Your guide may judge that you obviously do not have the necessary level to perform the activity.
Your guides will provide all the necessary safety equipment and materials for the descent. The activities are supervised by a state certified mountain guide.

In case of bad weather or bad conditions to practice the activity?

Verdon Voyages or your guide may decide to cancel or modify part of the activity. These cancellations happen rarely.

What are the conditions of cancellation and payment?

• Payment: 30% of the trip amount at the time of booking; balance at D-30 without any reminder from us;
• Cancellation: full refund in case of cancellation linked to Covid-19; 50 euros withholding for administrative fees in case of cancellation before D-60. Retention of the deposit in case of cancellation between D-60 and D-8; no refund in case of cancellation after D-7

Contact us at 00 33 492 71 01 33 or by using the “chat” at the bottom right of your screen.

To make an option, let us know your travel dates by using the “chat” at the bottom right of your screen. We can hold your seats for up to 7 days!