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.

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.

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).

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 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.

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

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 summit overlooks the Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes ski resort. It is home to the arrival stations of the resort's ski lifts. However, the ascent is described here from Ancelle. This outing is done on snowshoes, following the summer trail marked in yellow. These markings are visible on trees in winter, but not on 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.

Most of the hike takes place on a balcony trail in a sort of cirque, before reaching the foot of Vieux Chaillol with a beautiful panorama. This hike also allows you to discover the remains of the Malcros Canal. A somewhat crazy project which, from 1881 to 1923, supplied water to the valleys from a... glacier! Despite the elevation gain, the hike involves fairly gentle and very regular ascents and descents.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

A climb to the summit overlooking the village of Wooden Roof Tile and the ski resort of Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes. The circular offers beautiful panoramic views of Dévoluy, Champsaur and the Rouanne valley.

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 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 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.