In partnership with OpenMedias
Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department just 80 kilometers from Nice, Valberg welcomes many French and foreign tourists throughout the year.
For fifteen years now, the resort has been involved in ecotourism through numerous initiatives.
Valberg has obtained the Flocon Vert Label: a certification of excellence rewarding it for its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.
To date, only eight stations in France have obtained this precious label.
"Les Randos du Géologue": a unique experience
To pursue its commitments to sustainable development, the Valberg resort wishes to offer themed hikes around geology.
Thanks to a grant from the European LEADER program, the South PACA region and the Mercantour National Park, this project called “Les Randos du Géologue”, on the initiative of the Communauté de Communes des Alpes d'Azur (CCAA) is organized in the Regional Nature Reserve of the Gorges de Daluis located just a few kilometers from Valberg.
Hikers set off to explore exceptional geological sites where ten unique minerals have been discovered.
During the hike, the group will make stops to observe the different geological sites and will receive information from their mountain guide, a professional trained in geology.
“
For example, participants will be able to discover ripple-marks: marks formed in the past by the movement of water.
They will also be able to observe formerly exploited copper mines and understand the formation of different rocks such as pelite, a red-colored rock, emblematic of the territory, or even white sandstone.
The hikes that we offer are journeys through space and time, during which we can read the history of the Earth between the geological strata
”confided the organizers of the project.
Geological hikes for everyone
To open hikes to as many people as possible, the Valberg resort offers three levels depending on the physical condition of the participants.
A first so-called "family" hike lasting about four hours is offered to groups with children.
The distance to be covered is four kilometers for 260 meters of vertical drop.
The second intermediate-level “heritage” hike lasts nearly five hours for a route of over seven kilometers and a drop of 385 meters.
Finally, for the more athletic, the so-called "sensation" hike lasting over six hours will take you on a nine-kilometer course with a drop of over 700 meters.
For all the excursions, whatever the level, each participant will be provided with an educational, fun and interactive kit, to learn more throughout the course on the different rocks encountered.
Sustainable development at the heart of the hiking project
Through this hiking project, the Valberg resort continues to be concretely involved in sustainable development.
If the hikes take place on Sundays and are accompanied by picnics made up of local and seasonal products, the resort also organizes meetings on Saturdays with various actors of the territory.
Budding geologists will not need to take their vehicle, a shuttle is set up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“
This geological hiking project allows local partners to work in order to discover our territory as well as our heritage.
We work on a daily basis to become a resolutely ecotourism destination, with a four-season operation and which shines over the entire catchment area.
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To continue its commitment to ecotourism, the Valberg resort would like to offer other hikes in the future on different themes such as astronomy or agro-pastoralism.
This content is designed and produced by OPENMEDIAS, the editorial staff of the Figaro sports channel did not participate in its production.
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