Champsaur walks

Discover the Marmottes de Prapic. This easy, gentle hike is ideal for all the family. As well as the valley's magnificent scenery, it's also an opportunity to meet marmots almost without fail.

A beautiful loop that allows you to admire beautiful mountain lakes.One criticism might be that it gets quite busy during the holidays and at weekends (mountain biking, skiing and maintenance vehicles). Please note that there may be guard dogs present.

An easy loop that follows both banks of a pretty torrent, with a possible stop at the Tourond refuge. With a bit of luck, you may be greeted by a few marmots. You can extend the walk to the Pisse waterfall

This is a long hike to reach the Pic du Vieux Chaillol (3,163 m), a landmark peak in the southern Hautes-Alpes landscape. Please note that the elevation gain is only 1,530m and not 1,706m as stated on the information sheet.

A balcony walk offering magnificent views of the plain at the entrance to the Champsaur.

Loop starting from Prapic, passing through the Saut du Laïre to reach Les Bassets on the heights of Prapic.

In July, head for the Crupillouse lakes: small high-altitude lakes that are still frozen, alternating between earth and stone. The trail crosses three streams and snowfields and sometimes climbs in tight switchbacks from 1,400 to 2,600 metres. Watched over by chamois, the arrival at the lakes is a reward for the fairly long climb. The thawed sections were magnificent colours.

A peaceful exploration of the upper Champoléon valley, on either side of the Drac de Champoléon or Drac Blanc torrent in the heart of the Champsaur Massif, to the Pré de la Chaumette refuge on the edge of the Écrins National Park. ⚠️ 15/09/2025: Left bank impassable due to a landslide. The route is a return trip 1-4-3 to the refuge on the GRP®. Please read the notices carefully.

A lovely hike in the hills above Ancelle offering views of the Dévoluy and the Petite and Grande Autane mountains. For walkers, this is a good warm-up walk at the start of the week to prepare for longer routes.

In the heart of Champsaur, this hike is beautiful but also very exotic, as it climbs up the wooden roof tile torrent valley in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Spanish canyon.

Hike along the remains of the Mal Cros Canal, starting from Chaillol 1600. This canal supplied water for irrigation in the area from a glacier above the Champoleon valley (Drac Blanc).

This hike has been suitable for all ages since 2020. Using the chairlifts (Drouvet 1 and 2 for the outward journey and Roche Rousse for the return journey) makes it easy. The six large lakes are visited on the way down. A variant towards the Col de Freissinières is possible. The landscapes are magnificent, especially at the starting point at the top of Drouvet. The lakes are all very beautiful and diverse.

A pleasant circuit in Champsaur, allowing you to discover a small peak overlooking the Drac valley.

A lovely hike to discover an ancient village in ruins, offering panoramic views of the Champsaur valley.

The Tour de Planure is a hike that starts at the bottom of the valley, following the Tourond torrent, and ends in a magnificent cirque where you can discover a pastoral environment in a high mountain atmosphere.

Summit at 3,071 m overlooking the Grands Lacs des Estaris and the resort of Orcières-Merlette.

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in the area. It offers views of the Champsaur and Gapençais valleys.

From Dormillouse to Prapic via the Col des Terres Blanches.

This is a walk where you'll find shelter right in the heart of mountain pastures and where you can enjoy a friendly meal ... in very pleasant surroundings.

A short, easy circular loop around Chaillol, starting from Chaillol village, suitable for families. Passes over the Canal Malcros.

A splendid hike with a difficult route that will take you to the Col de Chorges. Climb Piolit and enjoy its 360° panorama, then descend via the Col de la Pourrachiére. From Piolit (2,464 m), there are views to the south over Lake Serre-Ponçon and Mercantour, and to the north-east, north and north-west over the peaks of Champsaur, Dévoluy and Ecrins. Caution: do not attempt this route too early in the season, as there is still a lot of snow due to the exposure. See § practical information.

This summit is a classic in the village of wooden roof tile in Champsaur.

This fairly easily accessible pass is located at the bottom of the Champoléon valley. You can make a circular loop by taking a little-used path that climbs parallel to the Prelles waterfall, passes by the small Lac de Prelles lake before reaching the Col du Cheval de Bois pass. Then descend via the marked trail that passes by the Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette.

Family hike through the woods to the beautiful Peyron Roux forest cabin. When you arrive, you'll feel like you're standing in front of the seven dwarfs' house... the dark larch forest has a lot to do with it!

A balcony walk with views of the Champsaurin bocage, the Chaîne du Faraut, the Banc du Peyron and the Petit Chaillol mountain.

A walk in the Notre-Dame de Bois-Vert forest, on the mountainside with a magnificent view of the Champsaur valley and its typical bocage landscape.The Notre-Dame de Bois-Vert sanctuary is a true haven of peace!

Following in the footsteps of botanist Dominique Villars, this trail, marked with information panels, allows you to discover the incredible diversity of the Champsaur vegetation.

Long and difficult hike offered here as a circular route, first through mountain pastures then up steep slopes to the summit. It can also be done as a round trip, which is shorter but involves a tricky descent to the Col de Combeau. As a circular loop as described, the landscape and views are different and the slope is easier. It's up to you.

Route on the Tour du Vieux Chaillol andGR®54trails. It takes you around the Puy de la Chaumette under the south face of the imposing Sirac.

A hike accessible to all, from 7 to 77 years old! Without difficulty, it offers a breathtaking panorama of the Champsaur valley and its bocage. The Devoluard fauna can be abundant, for the enjoyment of young and old alike! The pass road is closed during winter (check for information).

A superb 2-day route in the Écrins National Park, linking two characteristic villages: - Dormillouse, a Vaudois hamlet, completely hidden in the Freissinières valley. - Prapic, on the edge of the Orcières Merlette resort, which has retained its authenticity.

Visit to a village in ruins. Only two houses remain, the shepherd's house and the ONF's free lodge. Unfortunately, access to the village is not recommended in winter (see the description for more information). However, hiking in winter on the right bank of the Torrent du Méollion is very pleasant as it takes you through some beautiful landscapes.

This hike in the Champsaur is marked by curious geological formations in the sandstone. It is worth taking your time and looking up. The double arch is a little off the main route, so you have to go out of your way to find it, but it's well worth the detour.

The hike is entirely along the ridge, below the Petite and Grande Autane. It offers beautiful views of the Col de Roinette, La Coupa and its pass, La Pointe de Fleurendon and, in the background, Le Piolit and Les Crêtes de Bonaparré.

On this hike, nature is the artist, offering us geological formations carved into the sandstone, each one as astonishing as the next. Not to mention Pic Queyrel with its extensive panorama from the horizontal ridge line that connects the two high points. At the end of the hike, you can discover the remains of the Malcros Canal. A somewhat crazy project which, from 1881 to 1923, supplied water to the valleys from a... glacier.

This peak overlooks the Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes ski resort. It is home to the top stations of the resort’s ski lifts. However, the ascent described here starts from Ancelle.A snowshoe hike following the summer trail, which is marked in yellow. These markings are visible on the trees in winter, but not on the rocks.

From Prapic to Dormillouse via the Fressinières Pass. Please note: the height difference is only 1200 m.

Starting from Molines-en-Champsaur, this circular route takes you to the Cabane de Londonnière via a mountain trail, then ends with a gentle descent along a forest path beside the Muande torrent.

A hike mostly along a balcony path in a sort of cirque, before reaching the foot of the Vieux Chaillol with a lovely panorama. This hike also offers the chance to discover the remains of the Malcros Canal. A somewhat crazy project which, from 1881 to 1923, ensured the water supply to the valleys from a... glacier! Despite the elevation gain, the route involves ascending and descending fairly gentle and very even slopes.

A family walk in the forest in the middle of Champsaur, offering beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

An original way to reach the western shoulder of the Aiguille de Cédéra via a forgotten path on part of the ascent, then climb up the suspended mountain pasture to finish on the south-west ridge. The summit is optional for those who enjoy traversing scree slopes.

Opposite the famous Tourond Valley, the charming Méollion Valley takes you along old mule tracks to a ruined mountain pasture and an old village abandoned at the beginning ofthe 20th century. A refuge for resistance fighters in 1943, the ruins of Méollion are a feast for the eyes!

A snowshoe hike over varied terrain, starting in the Pré Matheron meadow, followed by a route through the undergrowth where you create your own path by weaving through the forest until you reach the junction with the ridge line. There, the landscape opens up towards the south.

A challenging and rugged hike beneath the ridges of Banc du Peyron and Moussière.

A beautiful circular loop around the Col Bayard oxygenation centre, very varied and without any significant elevation gain, offering 360-degree views and breathtaking vistas of the Champsaur.

A hike mainly through woodland, becoming steep towards the end, offering views of the Champsaur valley and Vieux Chaillol.

Overlooking the Champsaur valley and the southern Valgaudemar, the Vieux Chaillol offers a fantastic rocky setting and a dazzling panorama of a large group of mountains: Dévoluy, Vercors and Écrins. The view even extends as far as Mont Ventoux and the Lure mountain. The ascent to the Col de Côte Longue is made from the east, starting from the Champoléon valley. This hike is reserved for experienced and trained mountain hikers.

Starting from the hamlet of Moissière, a beautiful hike that begins in the forest before ending on the ridges and the summit, offering an unforgettable panorama of Lake Serre Ponçon, Gap and the Champsaur Valley.

We’re making the most of the August holidays to head up to the Crupillouse Lakes and then continue on to the Col de Parières. The route crosses several streams, but once you reach the first lakes, the view is superb. We continue on to the Col de Parières, where we can admire all the lakes below. We’ll do the round trip in a single day.

A hike through the wild Estrèche valley which, as you ascend, allows you to spot chamois on the left bank, in the pastures of the Upper Estrèche Valley, and ibex in the area known as Les Vallons. It continues with a short circular loop at around 2,200 m offering a panoramic view of the cirque: what remains of the Mourre la Mine Glacier, the Pointe des Moutières, the Tête Virante, the Choucières Vertes, the Puy des Baumes, etc. Comment from a user on 19 June 2025:>The Champoléontown council has issued a municipal by-law prohibiting hikers from accessing the Valestreche trail from 1 June to 25 July and from 5 September to 30 October. This by-law has apparently been in force every year since 2024. Presence of a herd with guard dogs.