Ecrins 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.

The Lac du Lauvitel and its integral reserve (the first in France, created in 1995).

A family loop trail among waterfalls and flowers to Lac Bleu and Lac Lauzon, in the exceptional setting of the Cirque du Gioberney, above the Voile de la Mariée waterfall. Moderator's warning on 12/10/2020: Caution! The two small bridges over the Lauzon Torrent have been washed away. See the notice from Lnltrn dated 12/10/2020.

The Lac d'Arsine, which has been split in two for several years, nestles in the cirque formed by the Agneaux and Neige Cordier mountains and is a real gem.

In the Crête des Grangettes cirque, there is a particularly famous mountain lake at 2,514 metres, called the Eychauda.

Lakes of breathtaking beauty in a mineral setting, with magnificent views of the Valgaudemar peaks.

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.

This circuit in the PNE (Écrins National Park) will take you to two beautiful lakes at the foot of the two Pinier peaks that dominate the area.

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.

This hike is easy, with only a few short sections requiring a little more attention. Easy to access, the Bans refuge has the feel of a high mountain refuge. The climb along the Bans torrent is gradual. After a small rocky outcrop on which the refuge is perched, the reward is there! The view is unique, overlooking a cirque enclosed by magnificent peaks. And what can we say about the kindness of the refuge wardens, who will serve you meals and drinks?

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

Very nice, accessible hike: no difficult passages, breathtaking views of the glaciers all the way, regular waterfalls, marmots, an incredible end to the hike with the Oules du Diable. Hike done on August 23, 2014, a year with a lot of water, we were lucky: waterfalls and torrents "at full throttle" and a very flowery route!

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 classic family hike. Most of the trail is in the forest, sheltered from the sun, except at the end of the trail to reach the lake. The trail runs alongside the Parc des Écrins and enters it in places. Please note the National Park regulations, in particular the ban on dogs, even on a leash (see the notice at the start of the trail).

Loop in the Écrins National Park. Tour of the Aiguille de Venosc via the Lauvitel and Muzelle lakes, then the Vénéon Valley.A rich and varied itinerary! It is relatively long. It can be done in two days by spending a night at the Refuge de la Muzelle or bivouacking near the refuge.

A beautiful loop in the Valgaudemar valley above the Pétarel Lakes.

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 pleasant walk above the large village of Monêtier, famous for its hot springs and ski resort.

Hike in a high mountain setting overlooking the Glacier Blanc and the surrounding peaks.

A pretty little lake in a green setting above Embrun and at the foot of the Tête de l'Hivernet (2,824 m).

This is a must-do hike in Vallouise, offering views of the Écrins, the Cerces and the Queyras, and in particular, thanks to its proximity, the Pelvoux, the Pic sans Nom and the Ailefroide.

A high-mountain route leading along the edge of a moraine ridge with breathtaking views of the high peaks of the Écrins.

This early morning hike is a sure-fire way to see chamois. It is easy to access and well-equipped photographers will be able to take some beautiful shots. For everyone else, the views alone will be a feast for the eyes. The only difficulty is getting up very early

This route takes you to Lac de l'Eychauda, looping back via the pass of the same name, then Pas de l'Âne and finally Col des Grangettes. The view of the lake from Col des Grangettes is panoramic.

Hike along the Reyssas irrigation canal. To maintain a steady gradient, the canal passes through some unlikely and beautiful places. Admire the work of our ancestors. Discover abandoned farms. Hike through the forest, including a majestic larch grove. Beautiful views of Lake Serre-Ponçon. This hike requires a bit of agility (crossing the Coulet torrent) and balance (walking on a narrow path along the canal). From 12 years old.

A relatively low-altitude foray into a high mountain landscape where the Romanche river rises in the scree following the Plate des Agneaux glacier.

This is a pleasant route to one of the main and most beautiful viewpoints of Lake Serre-Ponçon. Due to the large number of intersections, I recommend using the Visorando app.

A short walk leads to a peaceful lake where, in good weather, the neighbouring peaks are reflected. Moderator's warning on 12/10/2020: Caution! The two small bridges over the Torrent du Lauzon have been washed away. See the notice by Lnltrn dated 12/10/2020

Le Pontet is a magnificent turquoise lake above the hamlet of Les Cours, near Villar d'Arêne. You can get close to it by car, but the walk from Les Cours is very pleasant and, depending on the season, you may see edelweiss and marmots.

The first part of the hike is sunny. At the top of Les Têtes, you can enjoy a 360° panorama of the Pelvoux massif to the north and west and the Durance Valley to the south.

A beautiful climb to the Vallonpierre refuge is followed by a superb crossing that leads to the Chabournéou refuge, in high mountain terrain beneath the elegant north face of the Sirac.

A well-deserved but spectacular view. A magnificent lake at the foot of the Muzelle glacier that is not to be missed!

Hiking in the Ecrins massif towards glacial lakes.

Hike to a high-altitude lake nestled in a glacial basin at the foot of the Pics de Combeynot.

This family hike allows you to discover the discreet but magnificent little Lac des Charbonnières and a splendid panorama from the summit of Les Têtes. The route is mainly through larch forest, alternating between trails and tracks, but does not present any major difficulties.

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.

This family-friendly loop follows the torrent to the Romanesque bridge of Les Oulles and continues with a visit to the bubbling giant's pots, the "Oulles du Diable".

This hike is accessible to all without any particular difficulty and allows you to walk with the magnificent panorama of the Meije glaciers as a backdrop. What's more, the remarkable exposure of the circuit and its relatively modest altitude mean that this loop can be completed as soon as the snow melts. Moderator's note added on 26/07/2021: please note that part of this circuit is no longer passable. See reviews for an alternative route

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).

Starting from Villard-Reymond, there is a very pretty circular walk under the Grand Renaud cirque, through the mountain pastures and back via the Croix du Carrelet.

This hike takes us to see the largest concentration of blue thistles in the entire Alpine arc.

For me, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in this magnificent region of the Alps, with breathtaking views of the eastern glaciers of the Meije massif. It is a long walk through the mountain pastures, but with very gradual climbs. However, there is one section that may be tricky for those prone to vertigo. A great alternative to the hike to Lac d'Arsine, which starts from Monêtier-les-Bains.

Hike to discover the Combe and the Col de Laurichard, west of the Combeynot Massif.

Hike in several stages: - The Orgues de Valsenestre (or "great library"), a geological curiosity with a multitude of perfectly aligned vertical strata. - The Col de Côte Belle with a panoramic view of the Font Turbat valley. - Return via the balcony path to the small suspended valley of Combe Oursière. - Finally, you cross a forest of "crooked" larch trees (larch trees deformed by the weight of snow). ... Not forgetting the Hobbit house

From the forecourt of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Salette, there is a view of the entire hike. An exceptional panorama. With the optional Gargas, it's nothing but happiness.

Venture into the Torrent de la Selle valley towards a charming cabin (used as a shelter) on the road to Col de l'Aup Martin, an important passage on the Tour de l'Oisans.

A beautiful route along the two banks of the Vénéon, passing through the mountain village of Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, home of Father Gaspard, who conquered La Meije in 1877. You will pass at the foot of two magnificent waterfalls, one of which you can cool off in by swimming underneath if you are brave enough.