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. The only downside is that it can get quite busy during the holidays and at weekends (mountain biking, skiing and maintenance vehicles).

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.

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

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

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.

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

A peaceful discovery of the upper Champoléon valley, on either side of the Drac de Champoléon or Drac Blanc torrent in the heart of the Champsaur Massif, as far as the Pré de la Chaumette refuge on the outskirts of the Écrins National Park.

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.

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 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!

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

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.

Easy walk, 2/3 in the shade and 1/3 with beautiful views over the vast Drac valley and surrounding mountains.

At the gateway to the Massif des Écrins, near Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, this superb loop hike begins with a gentle ascent through a magnificent larch forest. Along the way, the lush green vegetation accompanies you to the foot of the Col du Cendrier, where the slope gradually levels out. The effort is rewarded by a wide panoramic view of the Massif des Écrins.The traverse of the Crêtes du Barry adds a welcome technical touch, giving the route an extra touch of character. The return, via the Pas and then the Col de l'Escalier, is on a pleasant, flowing path.A beautiful hike, where the spring flora comes into its own with every step.

This is a beautiful little loop on the north side below the Autane and Petite Autane, ideal for hot summer days when you want to stay cool. If you set off early, you can see chamois in the ravines and birds. The crossing trail does not always seem to be maintained during the summer, which makes it more difficult (the trail slopes on some steep sections) and it is now classified as difficult, requiring good experience of this type of trail.

The steep slope on the right bank of the Séveraissette valley is home to the trail crossing the Col de l'Ardouère, which winds boldly through the rugged terrain of a complex and grandiose landscape. Be careful! While the climb up the eastern slope is accessible, the descent down the western slope has some exposed, even vertiginous sections where the slightest slip could be fatal.

An ascent through mountain pastures and alpine meadows to the pass and then the summit of the Palastre, a renowned viewpoint over the Champsaur valley. The rest of the loop towards the pass between the Pic du Clot Lamiande and the Pointe Prouveyrat is not well marked, but the view of the Vallon du Tourrond is worth the detour. Note that the southern exposure of the slope is offset on the descent by streams and waterfalls that refresh this long route, which is best suited to experienced walkers.

Climb one of the Champsaur peaks from the Laye ski resort, enjoying the cool forest, rocky ravines and earthy slopes. The initial loop gives way to a round-trip climb. The final section is on a beautiful ridge with steep slopes on either side.

A classic hike in Ancelle, starting near the village centre and climbing up the north side, through cool woodland. Can easily be done in reverse to enjoy the cool air on the way back.

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 round trip climb in a very wild (and unfrequented) valley. Following the course of the Torrent d'Archinard, between pastures and forest, the trail passes under the Cabane de la Rouannette then climbs to the pass (Crête des Autanes with a magnificent view of the Vallon d'Ancelle) and to the summit of the Coupa, which offers a beautiful panorama of the Lac de Serre-Ponçon and the peaks of the Écrins. An ideal route for hiking and snowshoeing.

This isa physicallydemanding hike that is not particularly technical. Not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. Set off early in summer to avoid the heat. This route is much less travelled than the "classic" GR®54.

The final destination of this almost round-trip itinerary, the Col de Font Froide offers an exceptional view of the Écrins massif. In the distance: Barre des Écrins, Pic Coolidge, Ailefroide, Les Bans... And nearby: Pic de Colle Blanche, Brèche de l'Homme Étroit, Tête de Mal Cros, Pointe des Moutières, Pic de Parières, Aiguille de Morges. Far below: the Navette valley in Valgaudemar. A high mountain atmosphere is guaranteed on this pass, which is accessible via a footpath!

At the gateway to the Parc des Écrins, in the Champsaur Massif, this magnificent hike begins at Rouanne Haute. The path winds gracefully through a larch forest, crosses streams of fresh, crystal-clear water and leads us, below the Col de Chorges, to the brown-tinged mountain pastures, sometimes still dotted with majestic snowdrifts despite the approach of summer.At the top of the Piolit, a breathtaking 360° panorama opens up, revealing the surrounding massifs and the splendid Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Descending via the Col de la Pourrachière, we plunge into a green and refreshing world, the perfect way to round off this wonderful outdoor activity.

The hike begins with the ascent of the Pas de la Cavale, which rises to an altitude of 2,735 metres. After this climb, you will reach the Pré de la Chaumette refuge. From there, another climb will take you along the imposing Sirac, passing through the Vallette, Gouiran and Vallonpierre passes. The route ends at the Vallonpierre refuge.