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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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

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

Hiking in the Ecrins massif towards glacial lakes.

Magnificent walk between the Pont des Oules du Diable and the Cascade du Buchardet waterfall.

Efirst stage to warm up your legs before climbing to the Refuge des Souffles.

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.

In the foothills of Mont Guillaume, a short hike through the forest overlooking Puy-Sanières and Puy Saint-Eusébe, with a breathtaking view over Lac de Serre-Ponçon.

Une belle boucle dans les alpages du vallon de Réallon (Parc National des Écrins), avec des belles vues au milieu de la faune sauvage. Le panorama en hauteur donne sur le Sud des Écrins avec le Mourre Froid, les Aiguilles de Chabrières. Il s'agit d'une variante courte de la boucle, sans aller jusqu'au pic après le Col de la Gardette, et en "coupant" vers les Tomelles plutôt que de descendre jusqu'au torrent.

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.

A wild trail leads you up a gentle slope following the Prentiq valley to the Cabane du Sellar. Surrounded by mountains, this place is a true haven of peace, where only the sounds of nature welcome you.

An enriching hike to discover the traditions and history of this small valley. Follow a path along the stream to reach Prentiq (near the old houses), a haven of wild beauty with traces of pastoral life. Discover a hamlet where only two huts remain, along with ruins and dry stone walls that bring to mind the traditions of yesteryear. On the way back along the track, you will be treated to beautiful views of the valley.

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.