Vallée de la Clarée, U-shaped valley between Névache and Val-des-Prés, France.
The Clarée Valley is a broad, glacier-carved landscape in the French Alps with gently sloping sides and open meadows. The valley floor features rolling pastures surrounded by coniferous forests and flanked by rocky ridges on both sides.
The valley received formal protection in the late 20th century due to its ecological importance and diverse plant life. Centuries of pastoral farming and woodland management by local people have shaped the landscape into what visitors see today.
The communities here maintain a strong connection to alpine life, with herding traditions and pastoral practices visible in how the meadows are managed and used. You can see this everyday relationship with the land through the scattered mountain huts and the seasonal rhythm of the villages.
Car access is heavily restricted during summer months to protect the landscape; shuttle buses connect the nearby villages and trailheads. Plan to explore on foot with good shoes and minimal gear, as the main experience is walking through open meadows and forest trails.
The valley holds a remarkable concentration of rare alpine plants, including many species usually found only at much higher elevations. This botanical richness makes it rewarding for nature watchers who discover alpine flowers and unusual vegetation scattered throughout the meadows.
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