Vercors, disconnect in the Valley of Wolves

Average walker. You must be fit and capable of walking 4 to 5 hours per day.

Transport of your belongings on the first and last day in a backpack (1 or 2 pulkas may be available). Nothing to carry except your daily essentials on other hikes.

Transfers by taxi or your personal vehicles.

Starting from 5 participants and limited to 13 people.

4 days, 3 nights.

Possible departure from mid-December to end of March.

Guided services

By a French state-qualified mountain guide with excellent knowledge of the region.

Accommodation

The Esparron refuge is unmanned. There is no electricity, fresh water flows abundantly at the fountain. There is everything needed for cooking at the refuge. A gas stove with oven is available as well as a stove. The heating wood supply is well stocked.

The refuge offers a simple mountain atmosphere in a unique natural setting. Sleeping is in 2 dormitories, equipped with comfortable mattresses, pillows and blankets. There is no shower available at the refuge. Dry toilets are outside.

A sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner are still necessary.

Meals

At the refuge, meals are prepared communally, and help is always welcome. Fresh and local products feature on the menu every day.

Please let us know at registration of any special dietary requirements.

Meeting point / Dispersal

Meeting point

Day 1, at 2 PM, at Clelles station.

Dispersal

Day 4, around 3 PM, at Clelles station.

You will receive approximately two weeks before your departure a confirmation detailing the time and location of the meeting point, the name and contact details of the guide, and the address of your first accommodation.

Snow Cover

Snow cover in mid-mountain regions is sometimes unpredictable. Some stages may be adapted to hiking if there is insufficient snow. Bring suitable hiking shoes as well as your winter equipment.

By plane

Lyon Saint-Exupéry is approximately 90km from Grenoble; bus to Grenoble SNCF station then train to Clelles.

By train

Clelles station: located on the SNCF line Grenoble – Veynes – Gap.

Check current rail connections to Clelles, including services via Grenoble. Plan to arrive before the meeting time stated in your joining instructions.

Check your timetables on the SNCF website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/

By car

Motorway A7 Lyon-Valence, exit 15-Valence-South towards E713 for Valence-South / Gap / Crest. Then exit 31 to join the D111 towards Crest. D93 to Die, then D518 to Rousset.

Check your route on the website: www.viamichelin.fr

Parking

In the free public unattended car park at Clelles station or at Monestier-de-Clermont.

It is very easy to reach Clelles from Monestier-de-Clermont, whether departing or returning: it is the same train line. 14 to 16 minutes travel between the 2 stations; frequent trains.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle is a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike, in snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

Present on the board of directors since 2018, , we actively contribute to evolving sector practices towards greater meaning. Specifically, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Preservation of the environment on each of our stays

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to adopt simple gestures to protect the places visited and foster beautiful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle is recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in terms of environment, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We are actively pursuing our progress towards the higher level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

Snowshoe equipment

• Walking clothing, spacious comfortable and warm, including comfortable trousers such as Goretex or micropore type (avoid jeans!), leggings or knickers, jogging wear, etc.
• A thick wool jumper or a fleece jacket
• A Goretex jacket, or a windbreaker that allows perspiration to escape if possible, or an appropriate anorak
• Overtrousers
• Two pairs of warm mittens or warm gloves
• A hat and scarf
• A pair of gaiters
• Warm underwear (AVOID COTTON)
• 3 pairs of warm socks

Shoes, poles and snowshoes

• A good pair of hiking shoes, not too flexible but warm and comfortable (no soft shoes such as moon boots or snow boots), and waterproof
• We recommend purchasing telescopic poles which will serve you both in winter for snowshoe hikes and in summer for mountain hikes. It is preferable to choose them with 3 telescopic sections rather than two, with a tungsten carbide tip, very hard and virtually indestructible! (However we can lend you a pair)
• Snowshoes and poles are provided

Sun protection

• Sunglasses (glacier type)
• Sunscreen (lips and skin)

For midday picnic

• Airtight plastic container
• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
• Thermal water bottle 1 litre minimum (or better 1, 5l)

After the effort

• A good sleeping bag
• Headlamp (essential)
• A survival blanket for better ground insulation
• A camera with protective cover against the cold
• A pair of trainers for the evening
• Change of clothes (tracksuit, etc.), and personal underwear
• Underwear and toiletry kit, tissues. For the refuge, bring wet wipes and a small kit, as there is no water. However, we can still wash by melting snow
• A small first aid kit with plasters, biogauze or “2 skin”, gauze, disinfectant and aspirin for minor cuts!