Undiscovered Mountains

05/11/2024

Remember the story about our via ferrata group who got together and created a brand new climbing and adventure week? Well they have opened it up for other people to join them which is really cool!

There are just four spaces left so don't dilly dally if you like the look of this. It really is a fabulous itinerary.

It is for September 2025 and includes 4 days progressive climbing skills with a view to doing a multi pitch route at the end with a few other adventures to break up the week and add an extra element of fun: canyoning, via ferrata and paddleboarding on the Serre Ponçon lake.

Take a look at the full itinerary and trip on the link below and book your spot!
https://undiscoveredmountains.com/alpine-climbing-adventure-week

04/11/2024

As advocates of all year round tourism in the Alps with 20 years of creating non ski resort dependent trips and adventures covering all four seasons, we are proud to see Undiscovered Mountains director, Sally Guillaume, quoted in this article in the The Independent about alternative winter holidays.

The Alps is not all about skiing and whilst we are very sad that some resorts are having to close and of course as petrified as anyone else about the future in our climate changing world, we hope that more people will start to discover the immense beauty and huge variety of adventures possible without having to strap a pair of skis to their feet!

With ski resorts closing due to climate change and uncertain snow cover, Eloise Barker says you shouldn’t abandon the slopes – but instead adapt to them

30/10/2024

Snowshoeing holidays update:

25 Jan to 1 Feb snowshoeing trip is now nearly full - just a very few last places left!

Don't miss out on this amazing snowshoeing adventure based in the Champsaur valley on the edge of the stunning Ecrins National Park and staying in a luxury farmhouse with food to die for!

Imagine waking up in your cosy farmhouse bedroom, snowshoeing through stunning mountain scenery all day and then relaxing in the bar or lounge in front of the fire and enjoying a delicious evening meal created by our amazing chef, Meg!

https://undiscoveredmountains.com/guided-snowshoeing-holiday-alps

30/10/2024

Another study explaining why solo traveller’s enjoy adventure travel experiences so much! It is based on watching films to generate the emotional response but I suspect the emotions shared on a snowshoeing, ski touring, via ferrata or rock climbing trip are even stronger - does that make even stronger connections? Is there a scale of bonding based on the strength of emotion experienced…?

Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, Victor Chung of the École Normale Supérieure in France

“Our findings suggest that experiencing intense emotions with others, even during brief interactions with strangers, plays a role in the emergence of social relationships and the formation of social groups,”

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/oct/30/experiencing-intense-emotions-with-others-makes-people-feel-more-connected-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Participants bonded more after watching films that sparked intense emotions

29/10/2024

Climbing in Orpierre in October! A little local secret - the autumn is one of the best times of year for rock climbing. Less people, perfect temperatures, warm rock and stunning views made all the more marvellous by the beautiful autumn colours!

A fabulous day out en famille climbing a multi-pitch route.

If you want to experience this then all you have to do is get in touch!!!!

Organised people can already book in for next autumn on our rock climbing trip 😃🧗‍♀️
https://undiscoveredmountains.com/rock-climbing-weekend-french-alps-skills-adventure

28/10/2024

❓ Do you know where the Queyras mountain range is?

Nestled on the French-Italian border of the Alps, the Queyras is a hidden gem, home to Europe's highest village, Saint Véran (2400m), and blessed with reliable snowfall thanks to the "Retour d'Est" – a unique weather phenomenon that brings intense, localised snowfalls. This high-altitude paradise is perfect for ski touring and snowshoeing!

That’s why we’ve chosen it for our refuge-to-refuge ski tour, ideal for beginner to intermediate ski tourers. By staying two nights in each refuge, you'll enjoy a day with a lighter pack and flexibility to ski the best routes based on conditions.

https://undiscoveredmountains.com/ski-touring-week-in-the-queyras-alps

Imagine ski touring through untouched snow with breathtaking views, far from the hustle of traditional resorts. Led by local guides, you’ll discover secret routes and cosy mountain refuges, fully immersing yourself in the adventure.

Perfect for experienced downhill skiers with off-piste experience looking to escape the crowds and explore the world of ski touring. ❄️

26/10/2024

Via ferrata style - this sport is not just for grufty climbers!!!

Thanks to Yaëlle Henry and Decathlon Travel for these pictures - photographer yours truly!

25/10/2024

The stunning col du Noyer looking magnificent in autumn

🍂 Le Col du Noyer : une porte entre le Dévoluy et le Champsaur en Automne 🍂

Perché à 1664 mètres d’altitude, le Col du Noyer relie les vallées du Dévoluy et du Champsaur, offrant un panorama à couper le souffle, surtout en automne. Les montagnes majestueuses se parent de leurs plus belles couleurs, du jaune doré au rouge flamboyant, sous une lumière douce et apaisante. C’est le moment idéal pour une escapade en pleine nature, à la découverte de paysages saisissants et de sentiers de randonnée inoubliables.

Que vous soyez amateur de randonnée ou simplement en quête de sérénité, le Col du Noyer en automne est un passage incontournable ! 🍁🏞️

Plus d'infos :
✅ 1664 mètres d'altitude
✅ Massif du Dévoluy
✅ Département des Hautes-Alpes
✅ Généralement ouvert de mai à novembre, mais peut varier en fonction des conditions météorologiques
✅ Le Col du Noyer est très apprécié des cyclistes pour ses ascensions exigeantes. Le versant champsaurin est particulièrement réputé pour ses lacets serrés et son dénivelé important
✅ Un refuge transformé en restaurant est ouvert l'été et vous pourrez y déguster des spécialités locales comme les fameux tourtons du Champsaur.

25/10/2024

Memories from last year’s wolf tracking adventure deep into the wilds of the Alps… moments when time slowed down, and we shared space with the incredible wildlife that calls these mountains home. 🐾

These photos capture just a fraction of the magic—the chamois gracefully navigating rocky slopes, the excitement of discovering fresh wolf tracks in the mud, the moments of calm in the majestic mountainous wilderness... Being there was about feeling a connection to nature, far from the rush, in awe of the quiet beauty around us.

Here’s to the wilderness, and to the moments that stay with us long after we return. 💚

If you are ready for a complete deconnection from a busy life and immersion in nature come and join us for our wolf tracking trip in 2025.

https://undiscoveredmountains.com/wolf-tracking-trip-alps

23/10/2024

Only 4 places left on our new ski touring trip from Chamonix to Zermatt!

This ski tour was created specially for some of our regular ski tourer clients from our ski touring in the Queyras trip https://undiscoveredmountains.com/ski-touring-week-in-the-queyras-alps who wanted to try the Haute Route with our guides and organisation.

We chose the slightly alternative, more Alpine version to be more in line with our Undiscovered Mountains ethos - it is a really fabulous route!

The group will be a maximum of 12 people with two guides and there are just 4 spaces left.

If you are an experienced ski tourer and would like to join us, get in touch and book your place before there are no more!!!

https://undiscoveredmountains.com/haute-route-chamonix-zermatt-ski-touring

23/10/2024

Thank you Gordon for this wonderful detailed review - this is why we do what we do ☺️

21/10/2024

Wow, what a weekend! I just spent two days dangling off various cliff faces filming and photographing an influencer for Décathlon Travel.

It wasn’t supposed to go like this – I haven’t done professional filming since my days at the BBC News over 20 years ago, long before influencers and modern camera tech!

We’re proud partners with Decathlon Travel who are fantastic for active adventures. They carefully select their partners and trips to match their values (unlike some platforms that accept any trip) and really take care of their clients and partners.

An influencer, Yaëlle Henry they work with chose our via ferrata short break in the Southern French Alps for her Decathlon Travel adventure, which we were super flattered about 😊.

We prepped everything as we do for all our clients, but with extra time for filming, since she was supposed to have a professional rope access technician to film her. Anyone who's tried taking photos while doing a via ferrata knows how tough it is – you're high up, gripping on for dear life, and trying to manage a camera too!

Then, the day before she arrived, Décathlon Travel told us the photographer couldn’t make it so Yaëlle, the influencer, brought her mum instead. Rachel was amazing but had never done via ferrata before, and between the climbing and filming, it was just too much.

So, I jumped in! Suddenly, I found myself with a very expensive camera around my neck and the responsibility of capturing awesome shots of Yaëlle in action.

What can I say? I absolutely loved it! My knowledge of via ferrata and some of that old BBC training came rushing back as I found myself hanging off cliffs, directing Yaëlle, and filming – like it was something I did every day!

I won’t claim all the shots were amazing – I used auto mode, had trouble focusing at times, and the sun wasn’t always on my side. But I had a blast, and Yaëlle was happy with the results, so I hope Décathlon Travel will be too! Here are some photos of me in action and some of the general ambiance taken by my son (who was also helping)!

The images I took are in the hands of Yaëlle and Decathlon Travel, but I hope to have enough to be able to make a little reel to show you all how beautiful via ferrata is in the Autumn! Watch this space!







Via Ferrata de la Grande Fistoire

20/10/2024

We just had the most amazing 10 minutes watching this bearded vulture with two others (not seen in this clip) swooping and circling around the cliffs of the via ferrata we were climbing this weekend.

An incredible sighting of a rare and dramatic bird - they flew right past us on the cliff and circled round several times!

Hanging off the cliff without easily spare hands and equipment immediately available to photograph them we were lucky to get this shot! Feeling very privileged. Well done to my son Tommy who got this shot!

18/10/2024

Winter is coming and people are booking their snowy escapes - wooohooo!

If you are still wondering what to do or haven't got round to pressing that book button, here's an update on guaranteed departures and our most popular trips for the up and coming winter... your winter adventure awaits!!

18 Jan - 25 Jan Cross Country Skiing https://undiscoveredmountains.com/cross-country-skiing-week-alps
25 Jan - 1 Feb Snowshoeing for Foodies https://undiscoveredmountains.com/guided-snowshoeing-holiday-alps
8 Mar - 15 Mar Snowshoeing for Foodies
15 Mar - 21 Mar Ski Touring Hut to Hut in the Queyras https://undiscoveredmountains.com/ski-touring-week-in-the-queyras-alps
29 Mar - 1 Apr Wolf Tracking Adventure https://undiscoveredmountains.com/wolf-tracking-trip-alps
5 Apr - 12 Apr Haute Route Ski Tour Chamonix to Zermatt https://undiscoveredmountains.com/haute-route-chamonix-zermatt-ski-touring

17/10/2024

🌟 Our September Via Ferrata adventure turned out to be something truly unforgettable! 🌟

The group was made up of solo travellers, complete strangers at first, all taking that brave leap of faith – booking an adventure without knowing who they’d meet or how they'd manage hanging off a cliff with strangers!

Despite different languages (French and English speakers), ages, and levels of climbing experience (from total beginners to seasoned mountaineers), they clicked right away. And the best part? They bonded so well that they've just booked their next private climbing trip with us for next year! 🧗‍♂️🧗‍♀️

For us, this is what it's all about – not just creating amazing adventures, but watching lifelong friendships and new journeys form. We’re so proud to have been part of this experience and can’t wait to see them again for their next big adventure together! 😊

Check out all our trips for solo travellers and join the adventure! https://undiscoveredmountains.com/singles-adventure-holidays

15/10/2024

So very proud to be featured in the greentraveller magazine with a beautiful article on the southern French Alps, "The other side of the mountain."

A big thank you to Richard for showcasing the wonders of this lesser known corner of the Alps and the variety of activities and adventures you can do here. And well done for travelling here by train and testing out both the day train and night train options!

Read all about it on pages 26 to 31!

Hautes Alpes Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourisme Refuge du Tourond Refuges des Hautes-Alpes La Maison du Vélo Ancelle Eau Vive Passion Bureau des Accompagnateurs en Montagne du Champsaur L'Esprit Montagne

The magazine of the website greentraveller.co.uk, which shines a light on flight-free holidays and travel that can have a positive impact on nature conservation and local economic empowerment

15/10/2024

Huge congratulations to Adriana Brownlee who has become the youngest woman to climb all of the world's 14 summits of over 8000m at age 23!

This really is a major accomplishment! Well done Adriana for flying the flag for young female alpinists all over the world!

The Guardian

Adriana Brownlee, 23, reaches summit of Shishapangma three years after setting target at top of Everest

10/10/2024

Winter Free Skiing Memories ❄️

Book your off-piste adventure with Undiscovered Mountain in the Southern French Alps! ⛷️🏔️

Link : https://undiscoveredmountains.com/freeride-off-piste-skiing-holiday-alps