La Transhumance

Migration on horseback. Ride the range (French/American style) on a great trail ride in the Alpes-Maritimes.

The annual migration of stock from high pasture to low pasture and back is still very much part of life in the Mercantour National Park. They are celebrated events, attracting all manner of fêtes and activities along the routes.

Join Denis Longfellow as he takes three days to move his stock between their winter base at the coast at Sainte Agnès above Menton, to Le Boréon near St Martin Vésubie, or the trip back down to Sainte-Agnès in the autumn.

Enjoy the thrills of stock migration in the glorious hills of the area, and finish off your ride with a well earned dip in the Med.

Horse riding can also be enjoyed as part of our activity holidays.

All round tailor made courses and rides for the less experienced also available.

Testimonials

We are back home and setting back to the rain of England! God its flat here!! Missing everything and everyone in Mercantour! I wish I was back there on the back of a horse up a mountain!
Lizzie Girvan-Hart October 2006

Season

Mid June and end September only

Departures to date

2008 - June 12 - September 26

Pricing

Full board in hotel and gîte d'etap accommodation - £545
Single supplement for the 1st and last nights only £38

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Grades

grade

Your Accommodation

Gîte

What's included

All meals, inclusive of packed lunches. Drinks at own cost in Hotel Saint Yves only.

Accommodation : See itinerary below.

Transport : To and from Nice airport.

Activities : 5 day break, 1st nights in a hotels/refuges. Shared accommodation on trail days. Three days guided horse riding by qualified leader. Hats, chaps and saddle bags are provided. Transport of luggage.

Itinerary

The itinerary below covers the trip both ways.

• Day 1 Arrive Nice airport, transfer to Sainte Agnès (northbound), or La Zourcière (southbound) – about 90 minutes. Stay at the Hotel
  • Saint Yves or La Zourcière.
• Day 2 Depart on horseback to Peϊra Cava (northbound) or the Gordolasque Valley (southbound). Stay at Chambre d’hôte with Jean- Paul and Karine, or the gîte d'etape Relais des Merveilles. (refuge, bunk type accommodation).
• Day 3 The opposite if Day 2 above, depending on whether it's a northbound or southbound trek. Accommodation as day 2 above.
• Day 4 Finally traverse over the Baisse de Prals to the Vallon de la Madone de Fenestre, and then on to Le Boréon (northbound), or the Menton back country to Sainte Agnès (southbound). Stay at La Zourcière, or the hotel Saint Yves.
• Day 5 Transfer back to Nice airport.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection