I have never been anywhere that you are above the clouds like that beautiful valley. What is the elevation, JMF?
On average how long would you drive to the start point of one of your hiking journeys like this one?
I note on google maps that Plateau d'Ambel is near Lyons and Grenoble. Is that the region that you live? I note that your last few blogs are also around that region of France.
I once visited Clermont-Ferrand but that's as far east of France as I've ever been on my very small number of visits there (3 I think!)
John