weshallarise

Stage8, travelling from south to north. One of the quietest stages.

An easy walk from Noailly to Abbaye de la Bénisson-Dieu, passing Château de la Motte on the way back.

The first stage of a circular walk around Isola. The route starts at the top of the resort and finishes at Rifugio Questa, on the Italian side, passing by the Terre Rouge Lakes and Lake Tavels.

Starting from the Fontcouverte campsite, climb to the Col du Chardonnet via the Refuge du Chardonnet, then push on (with a bit of off-trail walking) to the Col de l’Aiguillette and the foot of the Peryou. Return via the Col de l’Aiguillette and the Crête du Chardonnet, then descend via the Chalets du Queyrellin.

The Col de l'Aup Martin and the Pas de la Cavale from the Onde Valley, leading into the Champoléon Valley. The Aup Martin – what a pass! Note: This route is a stage of the Tour de l'Oisans but it is very challenging, particularly in early summer when there is still snow on the Col de l'Aup Martin. For this reason, a diversion has been put in place starting from Vallouise, passing through Puy Saint-Vincent, the Col de la Pousterle and the Fournel valley. You then join the Pas de la Cavale (GR®54A).

A walk to this little Provençal chapel on the heights of Jouques, at the top of Concors Mountain. Particularly isolated, it is only accessible on foot. From the top of Mont Concors, there is a beautiful view (watchtower), notably of the castles of Grand Sambuc and Petit Sambuc, and of Sainte-Victoire. You can do this hike in reverse if you want to enjoy the views better on the way back. And enjoy a nice climb in the shade ;-)

A day's hike starting in the hills above La Roquebrussane, climbing La Loube and then L'Amarron before descending into the valleys at the foot of Pinebron and ending at the Notre-Dame Chapel.

A round trip to the highest point of the Luberon mountains, from Cabrières-d'Aigues.

An easy, family-friendly walk from the hamlet of La Chaup to Le Séchier. The outward leg takes you through the woods alongside the Canal des Herbeys via theGRP® du Tour du Vieux Chaillol, whilst the return leg follows the road for part of the way and then runs alongside the Séveraisse.

This route, with no significant elevation gain, takes you around Mont Auron, with its easily accessible summit, and back and forth to Cîme de la Bercha, starting from Auron.

A classic hike in Ancelle, starting near the village centre and climbing up the north side, through cool woodland. Can easily be done in reverse to enjoy the cool air on the way back.

Final, connecting stage. A gruelling descent along the Col du Cheval Noir trail before rolling gently towards Saint-François-Longchamp, past cattle sheds, herds and ski facilities.

This small mountain range undoubtedly offers one of the most stunning sequences of panoramic views. But beware of the challenging paths and the isolation. Pay particular attention to water management: streams and springs often run dry in summer.The starting point is Saint-François-Longchamp, accessible by public transport or by road. Parking is easy and free there in summer. The stages are connecting days. This route follows the Tour de la Lauzière route with a detour via La Thuile and the Col de l’Arc. You’ll spend every other night in a refuge and the rest in a bivouac.Do not attempt this hike if you are not sure-footed: although it stays on the paths (or strays very little from them), this route requires vigilance and follows routes that are very rarely used. You will almost certainly find yourself alone, or almost alone, for most of the day, in conditions where the markings are often half-faded and the paths obscured by livestock tracks. High-altitude cloud cover is common.

Fancy a goat’s path? You’re in for a treat. Whilst the climb to the Col de la Madeleine is very smooth going, the path leading to the Col du Cheval Noir from the Grande Combe is more akin to trail running. It’s a difficult climb, sometimes requiring you to get down on all fours, with your hands almost constantly in use, but it’s nonetheless safe if you tackle it without rushing. Camping by the Cheval Noir lakes promises complete solitude.

It’s hard to say much about this section, as we completed the whole of it in driving rain and cloud. The route is challenging and stony, with numerous herds of livestock and detours… But it remains so beautiful despite everything. The climb up the Bellachat is less difficult than it looks. The landscape is actually very varied: there’s a lot of rocky terrain on the ascent of the Bellachat, with steep cirques all the way to the Lacs du Loup, where the mountain pastures take over before giving way to the Cirque du Colomban, only to return near the Refuge du Logis des Fées.

A change of scenery: the view opens out towards the Beaufortain, the Tarentaise, the Aravis and then the Vanoise. You pass beneath the Grand Arc, descend towards the Vallon de Bayet, cross the Col Basmont, then spend the night at the Col de l’Arc in the unmanned hut

From a bivouac, all alone in the world, a long stage. The secured sections of the Passage des Moutons, Lac de Clartan, the descent to the Chalet du Tour, the paths winding up and down through Pétillat and its waterfall. The ascent to Lac Noir, the passage along the western ridge of the Petit Arc, a bit of off-trail walking; before trudging tirelessly towards a final climb through the woodland to reach the Refuge de la Thuile. What a view from its cross!

A lovely climb through the upper pastures where the cows that produce the milk for Beaufort cheese graze, with views of the Vanoise, the Thabor Massif, the Aiguilles d’Arves and the foothills of the Écrins. Then the route changes direction, offering views of Belledonne, the Chartreuse and the Bauges, before setting up camp at the Montartier Lakes.

Starting from Saint-François-Longchamp, this first stage of the Tour de la Lauzière is a gentle walk to the Grande Léchère Lake Mountain Hut, where you’ll spend your first night.