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| With over ten chalets and apartments
to choose from, the decision is yours... |
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| IFMGA guided ice, rock, alpine, ski touring, walking, and Via Ferrata... |
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| Fun for all the family, non stop activities and plenty of variety for the kids.... |
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| Useful links to other sites and services... |
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| White Water Kayaking, Canoeing and Rafting |
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All shots courtesy of Bromley Canoe Club – thanks guys!
http://www.bromleycanoeclub.co.uk/
THE DURANCE VALLEY – THE WHITE WATER ELDORADO OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS
We are situated in the Vallouise Valley, and all of our accommodation lies right by the white water
rivers’ Gyr and Onde (Grade 3 to 4 depending on water levels). Best of all we are less than 10
kilometers from the famous Durance River, in an area that enjoys 300 days of sunshine every
year.
Situated in the centre of the Hautes Alpes region we are in an area commonly regarded by
paddlers as the centre of alpine paddling in France. We are surrounded by more than 2,000km of
rivers - an ideal white water play-ground that runs from April to September.
The range of white water sports includes rafting, kayaking, canoeing and rodeoing and if that isn’t
enough we are less than an hour’s drive from Lake Serre Poncon – Europe’s largest man-made
lake and a haven for canoeists, dinghy sailors, kite and windsurfers.
For a general introduction to our area check out the video on this page:
http://www.hautes-alpes.net/kayak-rafting/eaux-vives-alpes.html
Now have a look at the river guides for all the best rivers and also the webcams spread across
the Hautes Alpes on this page:
http://www.hautes-alpes.net/kayak-rafting/topo-rivieres-webcamriviere.html
 Paddling at AlpBase.com
We have a full range of apartments and chalets and can provide secure storage for your canoes,
kayaks and equipment. Plus private parking, plenty of hot water and space to dry out your gear.
We know the best local and UK guides and can sort out any queries or provide information and
advice as needed. We work closely with local paddler David King (kingdou@aol.com) who runs our rafting and kayaking courses for schools, and our one day “taster” sessions. These are for families, groups or individuals and involve rafts, inflatable kayaks and open canoes.
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FluidSkills.com
For our alpine paddling and instructor courses we work with Darren Joy at Fluid Skills. Darren has a great deal of experience of our local rivers and has been running courses here in the Hautes Alpes for many years including kayak coaching and training courses – whatever your ability. Check out Darren’s website for full details on his white water courses and kayak instruction -
http://www.fluidskills.com
Here is a taste of the rivers in our area – all are less than an hour’s drive from our AlpBase.com accommodation in the Vallouise Valley. We have separated the rivers into classic white water runs, play spots and training sites, and some of the lesser known gems of the Southern French Alps:
White Water Classics:
1. The Durance – Southern Section
Description: Nice gentle open stretches with a few little rapids at grade 2.
Grade: 1-2
The Course: From the bridge at l’Archidiacre to the bridge at Tallard.
Distance: 6 kms
Time: 1.30 hours
Best time: March to October
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
2. The Durance – Northern Section
Description: some gentle paddling with a mixture of fun waves and quick rapids, a very well rafted
and paddled section.
Grade: 2-3
The Course: From Briançon to Le Villaret, mid way between Villard-St-Pancrace and St Martin
De Queyrieres.
Distance: 6 kms
Time: 1 hour
Best time: April to early September
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
3. The Guil
Description: For experienced paddlers who understand alpine white water.
Grade: 4-5
The Course: From the bridge and parking opposite Château Queyras down to bridge at La Chapelue.
Distance: 6 kms
Time : 2 hours
Best time: July to August
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
4. La Romanche
Description: A typical alpine white water course – fast, with a strong currentt
Grade: 3-4
The Course: From the bridge opposite the village of La Grave down to the barrage at the tunnel
Du Grand Clos.
Distance: 5 kms
Time : 1.30 hours
Best time: July to September
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 10.00 and 18.00 hrs
5. The Guisane
Description: A straight forward stretch of river presenting no real problems other than the rapids
at Les Guibertes (4) very close to the N91 road.
Grade: 2-3
The Course: From the bridge opposite the village of Monêtier les Bains to just before
Chantemerle. The river basically parallels the N91 road
Distance: 8 kms
Time : 2 hours
Best time: April to end of July
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
6. The Onde
 Description: Another glacial fed river, the Onde is one of the most picturesque rivers in the area. It
has numerous rapids of grade 4/5, followed by 4km of grade 2/3 up to the barrage dam in
Vallouise.
Grade: 4-5
The Course: From the Pont Des Alpes Bridge to Vallouise
Distance: 5.5 kms
Time : 1 hour
Best time: End of May to end of July
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs |
7. The Gyronde, Vallouise Valley
Description: A result of the River Onde running into and joining the River Gyr, just below Vallouise
where AlpBase.com is centred. A very popular alpine river with seasoned Brit paddlers, the
Gyronde is easily accessible 500m. downstream from the Vallouise barrage dam. The normal
exit point is at the wooden bridge just before the village of Les Vigneaux. Be careful, because
after this there is a short section of grade 6 water! The next passage downstream brings you to
the Les Vigneaux rapids at grade 4/5 for 1 km. These are followed by the “Rapides des Vigneaux à la Durance” at grade 2 for a further 4 km.
Grade: Overall 3-4+
The Course: From Vallouise to Les Vigneaux
Distance: 5 kms
Time : 1 hour
Best time: Early May to the end of August
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
8. The Gyr
Description: This glacial fed river offers cold classic alpine paddling – short but aggressive! The
Gyr has a 4km section from Pelvoux Les Claux to Vallouise at grade 2 followed by a section of
4/5. Make sure you disembark 250m. after the main Vallouise Bridge.
Grade: 2-4
The Course: From Pelvoux village to Vallouise
Distance: 4 kms
Time : 1 hour
Best time: June to mid August
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 10.00 and 18.00 hrs
9. The Claree
Description: A high mountain village area just before the italy border. Great views and white water
fun.
Grade: 2-3
The Course: From Pont des Barraques to the bridge at Pont de la Guinguette.
Distance: 9 kms
Time: 1.30 hour
Best time: End of April to end of July
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
10. The Ubaye
Description: large change of character from gentle to wild hard during the different runs. Fantastic
scenic area.
Grade: upper Ubaye grade 2/3
The racecourse grade ¾
The Ubaye gorge grade 4/5
The Course: From Pont des Barraques to the bridge at Pont de la Guinguette.
Distance: 19 kms
Time: 1.30 hour – 5 hours
Best time: End of April to end of July / July – August for the gorge
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
Play Spots and Training Sites:
1. L’Argentiere la Bessee
Description: A man made section for slalom and play kayak with a strong undercurrent and
numerous waves
Grade: 2-3
Distance: 1kms
Time: 2 hours
Best time: April to end of August
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 – dark
2. Saint Clements
Description: A man made section for slalom and play kayak with a strong undercurrent and
numerous waves next to SND kayak shop.
Grade: 2-3
Distance: 1kms
Time: 1 hour
Best time: April to end of August
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 – dark
Usha in actio!n
Lesser known gems:
1. The Buëch
Description: A wide river with a strong undercurrent, some gravel pits, and numerous waves
Grade: 2-3
The Course: Aspres sur Buëch to the outdoor centre at La Germanette, Saint-Sauveur.
Distance: 11kms
Time: 2 hours
Best time: April to end of May
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
2. La Souloise
Description: great section needing the right conditions for it to run.
Grade: 3-4
The Course: From the bridge at Les Gillardes to Lake Sautet
Distance: 5 kms
Time: 2 hours
Best time: April to early June or after heavy rainfall
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
3. La Séveraisse
Description:A very well used section for rafting but a long drive to use this rive.
Grade: 3
The Course: From Le Bourg to Villard Loubière
Distance: 8 kms
Time: 1.30 hours
Best time: May to July
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
4. La Veneon
Description: a real alpine glacial river with some of the hardest sections to run in France. Rafting
and hydro speeding is offered on the easy sections.
Grade: 2-6
The Course: From Le Berade - saint Christoph
Distance: 26 kms
Time: 1.30 hours – 6 hours
Best time: May to July
Authorised Paddling: Every day between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs
The L'Argentiere Centre
White Water competitions and Centres in The Ecrins Area
1. Le Fe Steve Kayak with the Briancon Family Kayak
2. The Rabioux River Rodeo – held over 3 days in the middle of August each year, this is THE
rodeo comp in the Hautes Alpes. Check out the details here:
http://www.rabioux.com
3. The l'Argentière la Bessée Slalom Course and WW Centre (10km away AlpBase.com).
For details check out this website:
http://www.hautes-alpes.net/kayak-rafting/spots-sports-extreme-aventure-alpes.html
4. The l'Argentière la Bessée Slalom Course and WW Centre (10km away AlpBase.com).
For details check out this website:
http://www.hautes-alpes.net/kayak-rafting/spots-sports-extreme-aventure-alpes.html
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