Ailefroide

A high alpine forested valley with rushing water, blue skies and rock that envelopes you like a shroud. I thought back to my many trips to Yosemite Valley in California over the years and realized that the Ailefroide Valley which I was heading for, bore more than a passing resemblance to this fabled West Coast American playground. It was early spring, the flowers were just out and amazingly colourful, and wild animals like the chamois and wild boar were coming out to gaze and blink. The only noise was the wind whistling thru the pines.

Set in the heart of the Ecrins Massif, just a mere 10 minute drive from AlpBase and Vallouise, Ailefroide really is one of the French Alps' most beautiful high alpine valleys. With its 400m. high rock walls and even larger mountain massifs that surround it, Ailefroide is first and foremost a Mecca for rock climbers, boulderers and alpinists. But if you love hiking, you have  a young family, or even just like picnics in tranquil mountain locations this valley really is hard to beat, whatever the time of year.

The real big difference between Yosemite Valley and Ailefroide is the size of the respective villages. Compared to the sprawling mass of Yosemite village, Ailefroide is tiny, comprising just three hotels, a few bars and bistros and assorted food and equipment stores.  It is only inhabited (mostly by campers) during the Spring and Summer months (June to early September). In the autumn you can walk and hike wherever you wish and witness the amazing red and gold colours that proliferate, but you will be on your own. And then in November the winter snows arrive and the access road is closed to all except ski mountaineers, ice climbers and the dedicated snowshoer. The village lies at the head of the Vallouise Valley at 1,500m. and is easily accessible in summer by car hire from Turin airport (2 hour transfer) or bus from the train station at L’Argentière-La-Bessee, the nearest town.

Despite its size, Ailefroide village is France’s second centre of Alpinism after Chamonix. The reasons are many: It has all of the advantages of a high alpine region offering easy access to mountains up to 4,000m. and lies amidst spectacular scenery including glaciers, alpine meadows and huge waterfalls. In summer the climate is generally hot and sunny with cool nights, which makes it almost a perfect venue for climbing or walking holidays whether you are a family, a club group, or a tribe of crag warriors on a mission.

If you do visit the Ecrins make sure Ailefroide is definitely on your schedule. You won't be disappointed!