Gorges, Views, and Vineyards Tour
This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the magical nature of this extraordinary region in an easy-to-moderately paced capacity. The hikes are structured so that two hikes are never back-to-back, leaving plenty of time to recharge, reset, and take in the beauty of the local sites while developing camaraderie with your fellow adventurers both on and off the trail.
We are thrilled to introduce a new Level 1 hiking tour that combines three beautiful, shorter, and easier hikes with visits to local historic sites that date back over 1,000 years, local markets that still have a distinctly medieval feel, uniquely delicious local food, and local vineyards for regional wine tastings.
Based on requests from women who wanted to book an Athara Adventures tour, but do not have much experience with hiking or being in the mountains, we have developed a more approachable tour with hikes that are no more than 7 miles each, on gentle undulating terrain, and structured with a day of rest between each hike. This provides an opportunity to reset, rejuvenate, and explore the area surrounding the two home-bases designated for this adventure. Although the hikes for this tour are shorter, they still provide a bit of a challenge, stunning views down into the surrounding valleys from beautiful, forested terrain, as well as walks through ancient gorges carved over the centuries. Also structured into this tour are visits to four different medieval castles, as well as a visit to an important WWII site of resistance. The hikes for this tour also provide exit points, should that be necessary for any participant.
The Gorges, Views, and Vineyards tour is structured around two home-bases, so that only a small day pack is required for any of the three hikes. You will enjoy a true sense of immersion into this unique and beautiful region by staying with local innkeepers who serve meals harvested from the bounty of their own gardens or grown locally in the area. And let’s not forget the wine! Different regions in France grow different varieties of grapes, and each region takes great pride in the wine that is produced there. This tour offers the opportunity to visit area vineyards to taste and experience the different flavors of wine specific to this region. On our last night together as a group, we will experience fine French dining at the Hostellerie du Grand Duc – you must taste it to believe it!
Gorges, Views, and Vineyards is an adventure not to be missed, both for the newer hiker seeking to have a “taste” of the mountains, as well as the experienced hiker who would appreciate the restorative and relaxed pace and feel of this unique tour. We look forward to seeing you!