 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
We are heading out to Samoens area (Sixt) for a week from 13th Aug and then onto Briancon (Vallouise) for a fortnight. We are quite active - climbing / via ferrata / road and mountain biking.
Question for those in the know: are there any 'must do' things that we may not be aware of, or quirky places to see and do?.
Also are there any flatish cycle routes that may be suitable for taking children on road bikes on? We usually spend the summer near Bourg and the cycle path by the river is brilliant.
Cheers
Steve,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Silver mine in Argentiere-La-Bessé, Briancon old town, Lac Serre Poncon and Embrun, Brasserie Alphand.
Can't help on the cycle routes though, as we don't stay up in Vallouise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
@Hells Bells, Brilliant thanks. Will add to out list. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
From Samoens the walk along the river to Sixt is lovely. Up past Sixt is a higher/harder walk to the end of the world. It's a beautiful steep sided and dead ended valley and that's really what it's called.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Valkyrie, thanks - will try both parts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Gorges de Tines, awesome, plenty of wter sports, Via Ferrata, Climbing and gerneral pissing about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@ringingmaster, are you on Strava per chance?
If you are you then you could see all the routes I've done these past seven or so weeks both cycling and hiking in the Briancon area ?
This was yesterday, where they had an "open day" for one of the Maginot forts atop the Gondrans at Montgenevre - fascinating.
https://www.strava.com/activities/667908516 and movie of the ride https://www.relive.cc/view/667908516
And there are so many forts to explore !!!!!
Loads to do rafting, kayaking, climbing and Via Ferrata - in front of me is the Roche du Bez Via Ferrata(s) as well as the Adventure Park which is probably a must do as an active family.
Where you're going Vallouise / Ailefroide is in another valley up from us, but with a car you can explore. Nevache is a long flatish valley that will be ideal for cycling and if the family is up for it you can climb all the way up and it's not too bad an ascent, or just go as far as you want.
And look at a map and check out the "back road" that you can take from Vallouise to here rather than going to Argentiere. You turn off at Les Vigneaux (D4) and take the road to Prelles and rejoin the main road. There is also a Via Ferrata off the road further down.
Have to say that electric mountain bikes are now becoming really popular!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Several good Via Ferratas on your doorstep, I was looking down on Vallouise from one in Les Vigneaux just last week!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@ringingmaster, If so be careful of all the rafters and canyoneers, the guides are super fun though
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
The dead end is actually the Fer a Cheval and really is worth seeing - waterfalls, ice cave, wildlife, amazing scenery. Walk up one side and come back the other. About 8 mins up the road from Sixt Village by car. Not a bad cycle journey either although it is a continuous shallow climb. Cascade Rouget is worth a trip. About 5 mins further on is the starting point for any number of fabulous walking trails. You can also take the chair up from salving (turn right at Sixt village) for the views and more trails.
Cycle routes for road bikes are not too plentiful if you want to avoid the roads. Once you have got down from Sixt past the Gorge de Tines (with or without swings) then you can avoid the long straight road into samoens by turning right in Vallons d'en haut and taking the back road in throughout the hamlet - ancient working farms, fountains etc. Make sure you see the Jaysinia Garden in Samoens and take the kids to Lac Bleu in Morrillon for swimming and a mega adventure park in the trees.
Enjoy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Last time we spent a week in Samoens was over 10 years ago but, even then (before the via ferrata had been installed), there was plenty to do (climbing, white water swimming, rafting etc). Samoens is flat-ish so cycling shouldn't be a problem and there are some hills (Col de Joux Plane, anyone) if you want - actually there's some nice walks on the ridges around there too.
If you are happy to do a day out, and want something cultural, I have always liked the Fondation Gianadda gallery/museum in Martigny (I've recommended it on here before) - it includes art, a car museum, sculpture garden etc. Martigny has Roman remains in the town (eg under a block of flats, in a children's playground) as well as an amphitheatre. We made a long day of it by going to Emosson and hiking to the "Traces des dinosaurs" marked on the IGN map (they're not very big) in the morning and then the afternoon at the museum and dinner in Martigny before driving back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@Yellow Pyranha, thanks. Will try and visit the museum on Thursday .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
