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Discover Val-des-pres, a Hidden Gem in Hautes-Alpes Provence

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Nestled in the stunning Hautes-Alpes department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Val-des-pres is a charming village that offers a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors. Embark on breathtaking hikes along scenic trails, where natural beauty envelops you at every turn. Winter sports enthusiasts will delight in the nearby alpine and cross-country skiing trails. For culture lovers, explore t...See more

Walking around Val-des-pres

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Walks and discoveries in Val-des-pres.
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Touring the hamlets of Val-des-Prés
1.1 km

Touring the hamlets of Val-des-Prés

Starting from the hamlet of Le Rosier, this walk links the main hamlets of Val-des-Prés, Le Rosier, Le Serre and La Vachette, returning via the hamlet of Les Alberts on the left bank of the Clarée. From the Rosier parking lot opposite the Huttopia campsite, cross the bridge to the left bank of the river, then take the wide track to the left of the bridge. This runs along the Clarée for around 700 meters to reach Val-des-Prés and the beautiful church of Saint-Claude, which can be seen in the distance. The trail soon comes to a bridge and the Val-des-Prés bread oven. Cross the bridge to reach the town hall and village church. At the fountain opposite the town hall, continue straight ahead between the houses to reach the heights of the village. The asphalt lane then becomes a forest track which rises straight up to reach the forest, then bends to the left to climb steadily higher. Stay on the main route and ignore the small paths on either side of the track. The route soon crosses the imposing bed of the Torrent de la Ruine, marked by concrete and granite check dams designed to stabilize the floodwaters. Once over the torrent, the little path opens out onto a wide forest track which descends gently: take this track very briefly, then pick up the little path on the right, located in the first hairpin bend of this wide track. This path gradually descends for 400 metres before joining a new forest track: continue along this track until you reach the hamlet of La Vachette. Enter the hamlet of La Vachette, heading for the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation: just before it, at the narrow crossroads, fork left to reach the bridge and the riverside houses. Join the hamlet of Les Alberts: at the small crossroads at the fountain (after the bridge), take the small lane on the left towards the "chemin des noisette": a small carriage road that runs alongside the river and joins the hamlet of Les Alberts. This asphalt road "Chemin des noisettes" joins the hamlet of Les Albert after one kilometer, before crossing the Durance stream. After passing the fountain and sundial of the Kovacic house, the road leads to a small parking lot: turn right into the ruelle des Arbennes (indicated by a dead end). A few metres after entering the cul-de-sac, fork left to reach a small dead-end parking lot, and join the dirt track overhanging the parking lot: a short, steady climb is in order. Continue along this little path until you reach the bridge over the hamlet of Rosier and the Huttopia campsite parking lot.

4 h
9 km
Very easy
Parking du camping Huttopia Le Rosier 05100 Val-des-Prés
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From Rosier to La Draye along the Clarée River
1.1 km

From Rosier to La Draye along the Clarée River

This short, easy walk takes you along the left bank of the Clarée from the hamlet of Le Rosier to Pont de la Draye, the last hamlet in Val-des-Prés. From the Rosier parking lot opposite the Huttopia campsite, cross the bridge to the left bank of the river, then take the wide track to the left of the bridge. This runs along the Clarée for around 1km to reach Val-des-Prés and the beautiful church of Saint-Claude, which can be seen in the distance. The trail soon comes to a bridge and the Val-des-Prés "Chef-Lieu" bread oven. Don't hesitate to cross the bridge to see the sundial at the town hall and admire the magnificent porch of the Saint-Claude church, then return to the bridge to continue along the track that runs alongside the Four à Pain and the river. Ignore the small path on the left and continue along the track, which rises steadily in an S-shape: the track then narrows to the left, descending through the fields to reach the Pont de la Draye 600 metres further on. The dirt track then comes out onto the departmental road and the Pont de la Draye bridge. Stop at the fountain on the other side of the bridge, and return by the same route. You can also continue along the right bank of the river! To do so, cross the bridge and take the small asphalt road on the right, skirting the last houses on the Draye, where the road becomes a gravel track and continues as far as Plampinet.

2 h
3.9 km
Very easy
Parking du camping Huttopia Le Rosier 05100 Val-des-Prés
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What to do in Val-des-pres

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Choose from a variety of activities in Val-des-pres and book your favorites.
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Flower Camping Le Montana
3.5 km

Flower Camping Le Montana

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with mobile homes, chalets, tents, pods, geodesic domes, heated swimming pool, snack bar, etc. The whole team of Flower Camping Le Montana*** welcomes you. Discover our 3* family campsite on a human scale with 90 pitches including 20 rentals on about 2 hectares open from the end of April to the end of September. The campsite has a heated outdoor pool/ aquatic playground, canalplay for the little ones, mobile homes, chalets and tents with wood stove, pods and geodesic domes. Enjoy the many activities offered by our beautiful region and relax! We wish you a very good vacation among us. On site: - The campsite’s grocery store: you will find emergency supplies, local and regional products. - Bread deposit: Every morning we offer baguettes and pastries by reservation. - Wifi: free near the reception but paid from your location you have 10 minutes free then you can choose a package (7-day rate example 21€, (2023 rate )). - Le Snack: The snack bar of Montana offers you a full breakfast to savor on the terrace by the pool! In July and August, we offer you from the waffle snack and every evening our delicious takeaway pizzas, burgers, fries. - A snack bar where you can enjoy a hot or cold drink on our terrace by the pool. Young and old alike will also enjoy our ice creams! - The laundry: Washing and drying tokens as well as laundry are for sale at the reception - Games: board game loans at the grocery store in July and August The campsite also has a children’s playground, ping-pong table, swing, inflatable castle and petanque. - Baby equipment: We offer cots as well as high chairs.

Route de la Durance La Vachette 05100 Val-des-Prés
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Refuge Terzo Alpini
14 km

Refuge Terzo Alpini

Terzo Alpini is a refuge located in the Vallée Étroite, at an altitude of 1780 m. It is part of the commune of Névache. The Vallée Etroite is part of the commune of Névache, and is a listed and protected site. Managed by Riccardo and Anna Novo, the refuge is open in summer from mid-June to mid-September, and in winter from mid-February to mid-April. It is also open out of season on weekends (booking required). For New Year's Eve, reservations by telephone only. Catering by prior arrangement. The refuge : Terzo Alpini welcomes up to 34 guests (20 in rooms and 14 in dormitories). The refuge has hot showers on every floor, summer and winter alike (hot showers cost €1). Both the small rooms and the dormitory are equipped with wooden bunk beds, making for a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The refuge comprises 2 rooms for 2 people, 2 rooms for 4 people, 1 room for 8 people and a dormitory for 14 people. Accommodation 1/2 board, picnic baskets on request. The cuisine: At Terzo Alpini, Italian tradition comes first! You can try Piedmontese starters such as anchovies au vert, beans in salad, petite tome, cold cuts, sweet and sour zucchinis and many other specialities. At Terzo Alpini, polenta has pride of place! It's put more than one exhausted hiker back on his feet! It's served with alpine cheeses, meat and sausage, or venison cooked by Riccardo. Of course, we also offer daily specials such as ossobuco, tajine and more... And for children, we have a special menu. The Vallée Étroite is the ideal location for a wide range of sporting activities: ski touring, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, hiking and horse-riding, mountain biking, climbing on the magnificent routes of the "Paroi des militaires"... Accessible on foot from Névache, Modane and Bardonecchia in summer, but also by car, it can only be reached by cross-country skiing, ski touring or snowshoeing in winter.

Vallée Etroite 05100 Névache
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What to visit in Val-des-pres

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Visit the museums and galleries of Val-des-pres.
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Where to eat in Val-des-pres

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Explore the culinary traditions of Val-des-pres.
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Where to sleep in Val-des-pres

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Choose a comfortable accommodation in Val-des-pres.
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Flower Camping Le Montana
3.5 km

Flower Camping Le Montana

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with mobile homes, chalets, tents, pods, geodesic domes, heated swimming pool, snack bar, etc. The whole team of Flower Camping Le Montana*** welcomes you. Discover our 3* family campsite on a human scale with 90 pitches including 20 rentals on about 2 hectares open from the end of April to the end of September. The campsite has a heated outdoor pool/ aquatic playground, canalplay for the little ones, mobile homes, chalets and tents with wood stove, pods and geodesic domes. Enjoy the many activities offered by our beautiful region and relax! We wish you a very good vacation among us. On site: - The campsite’s grocery store: you will find emergency supplies, local and regional products. - Bread deposit: Every morning we offer baguettes and pastries by reservation. - Wifi: free near the reception but paid from your location you have 10 minutes free then you can choose a package (7-day rate example 21€, (2023 rate )). - Le Snack: The snack bar of Montana offers you a full breakfast to savor on the terrace by the pool! In July and August, we offer you from the waffle snack and every evening our delicious takeaway pizzas, burgers, fries. - A snack bar where you can enjoy a hot or cold drink on our terrace by the pool. Young and old alike will also enjoy our ice creams! - The laundry: Washing and drying tokens as well as laundry are for sale at the reception - Games: board game loans at the grocery store in July and August The campsite also has a children’s playground, ping-pong table, swing, inflatable castle and petanque. - Baby equipment: We offer cots as well as high chairs.

Route de la Durance La Vachette 05100 Val-des-Prés
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Refuge Terzo Alpini
14 km

Refuge Terzo Alpini

Terzo Alpini is a refuge located in the Vallée Étroite, at an altitude of 1780 m. It is part of the commune of Névache. The Vallée Etroite is part of the commune of Névache, and is a listed and protected site. Managed by Riccardo and Anna Novo, the refuge is open in summer from mid-June to mid-September, and in winter from mid-February to mid-April. It is also open out of season on weekends (booking required). For New Year's Eve, reservations by telephone only. Catering by prior arrangement. The refuge : Terzo Alpini welcomes up to 34 guests (20 in rooms and 14 in dormitories). The refuge has hot showers on every floor, summer and winter alike (hot showers cost €1). Both the small rooms and the dormitory are equipped with wooden bunk beds, making for a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The refuge comprises 2 rooms for 2 people, 2 rooms for 4 people, 1 room for 8 people and a dormitory for 14 people. Accommodation 1/2 board, picnic baskets on request. The cuisine: At Terzo Alpini, Italian tradition comes first! You can try Piedmontese starters such as anchovies au vert, beans in salad, petite tome, cold cuts, sweet and sour zucchinis and many other specialities. At Terzo Alpini, polenta has pride of place! It's put more than one exhausted hiker back on his feet! It's served with alpine cheeses, meat and sausage, or venison cooked by Riccardo. Of course, we also offer daily specials such as ossobuco, tajine and more... And for children, we have a special menu. The Vallée Étroite is the ideal location for a wide range of sporting activities: ski touring, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, hiking and horse-riding, mountain biking, climbing on the magnificent routes of the "Paroi des militaires"... Accessible on foot from Névache, Modane and Bardonecchia in summer, but also by car, it can only be reached by cross-country skiing, ski touring or snowshoeing in winter.

Vallée Etroite 05100 Névache
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Refuge Laval
17 km

Refuge Laval

Located in the magnificent Clarée valley in the Hautes-Alpes, the completely rebuilt Laval refuge offers a warm and comfortable welcome. Meije & Thomas, the janitors, and their team welcome you to the cosy atmosphere of the wooden chalet-style refuge. Winter access is by ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or skating. Leave your car at the Ville Haute parking lot in Névache and take the summer road, which is closed at this time of year, or drive along the right bank of the Clarée for a more bucolic atmosphere. The refuges are often perceived as inaccessible and reserved for a more seasoned clientele, but the Laval refuge is an exception to the rule. In summer, you can come either by car to the parking lot of the same name some 300 m upstream from the refuge, or by shuttle bus, depending on the time of day and the season: Accueil Tourisme Névache. On the first floor, two small dormitories with single and double beds for 4 people, and two dormitories for 7 and 8 people with single or double beds equipped with sheets and comforters (bring your own sheets and comforter bags). On the first floor, sanitary facilities and hot showers (bring your own toiletries). In the dining room, which seats between 36 and 40, a beautiful Masse (Tulikivi) stove radiates a gentle warmth that you'll appreciate whatever the weather! For humid summer days or snowy winters, a dryer running on excess energy from the pico power station will dry your clothes and shoes in no time. Electricity is provided by a pico-power station fed by the Cula torrent, making the refuge completely self-sufficient. In this friendly environment, we'll let you enjoy simple, generous, high-quality cooking, using organic and local produce, so that young and old alike will be rested and refreshed before setting off again, backpacked, to explore the many hiking trails that this luminous Clarée valley has to offer. Total immersion in unspoilt mountain nature guaranteed. The summer refuge is : Your base camp, for touring Mont Thabor (GR57), touring the Cerces massif, hiking to discover the beauty of lakes Béraudes, Long, rond, and many more. A stopover for motorcyclists on the Route des Grandes Alpes A thirst-quenching, gourmet stopover for cyclists and mountain bikers, A rest area for donkey trekkers, who can enjoy the meadows beneath the refuge. A meeting point where you can simply enjoy the view from the terrace and take full advantage of nature.

Haute Vallée de la Clarée 05100 Névache
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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾