For lovers of the outdoors, France has a huge secret!
The Hautes Alpes (High Alps) is one giant outdoor playground encompassing more than 5,000 square kilometres – that’s bigger than The Lake District, Peak District and Snowdonia National Parks combined. Yet whilst they jointly attract 40 million visitors each year, the Hautes Alpes only see two million adventure sport enthusiasts annually.
The weather’s better too, an almost Mediterranean climate, and with over 300 days of sunshine a year and the widest selection of outdoor activities anywhere in Europe there’s only one catch, its rubbish for shopping! The food is typical “death by cheese” mountain fodder too – expect a lot of raclettes and fondues.
But if you can live with all that then the rest is pure heaven. It’s the centre of alpine road cycling, amazing for mountain biking and it is THE white water centre of France. There’s more rock climbing than the whole of Yosemite valley, 30 Via Ferrata routes, the longest Tyrolean Zip line in Europe, Ailefroide (France’s second centre of Alpinism), the largest man-made lake in Europe, and three national parks’ worth of walking and hiking on well-marked trails. Look out for eagles, chamois, Ibex, willow grouse, and the ubiquitous marmots!
The Hautes Alpes is tucked away just beneath the Northern Alps, three hours’ drive south of Chamonix and three hours north of Marseille. It is called The High Alps because it has the largest concentration of 3,000m. and 4,000m. mountains in France, as well as arguably the easiest 4,000m. peak in Europe – Le dôme des Écrins (4,015m). That equals a life time of alpine hiking and mountaineering. The rock climbing is equally as impressive – there are 85 crags with over 1,000 sport routes and free climbing routes up to 650m. in length.
In the heart of it all is the famous Durance valley, home to quiet, beautifully tarmacked roads that comprise the largest concentration of world class road cycling cols anywhere in the Alps – think Col D’Izoard, Galibier or Alpe D’Huez from your door step!
The mountain biking is just as good; thousands of kilometres of specialist lift-assisted downhill courses with everything from family-only gentle forest meanders, to high altitude trails and big gutsy descents such as the famous La Prorel – 14Km. worth of downhill adrenaline!
The Hautes Alpes is the Alps as it used to be – a remote region that is 1.5hrs drive from the nearest motorway and much cheaper than the Northern Alps. Its home to holiday company AlpBase.com, run by an English family who moved here in 2003. They offer a wide range of self-catering chalets and apartments, and are happy to provide further information about how to get the most out of this wonderful alpine paradise. Whether you are an ultra-fit weekend warrior, a group of mountain lovers, or an active-outdoor family, there is something for everyone in The Hautes Alpes.
“As one of the UK’s leading expedition climbers over a 30 year career, I have explored the world many times over. But honestly I have not found an equal to this place. It’s AWESOME! So if you get a chance come out and visit us and get a taste of this Southern Comfort Secret!” says AlpBase.com director Jerry Gore.
Visit AlpBase.com or contact direct: [email protected]
