L'Argentière-la-Bessée walks

For this first stage, you will begin your journey at the Argentière-les-Écrins train station. The hike follows the GR®54A, taking you through the Fournel valley and the Deslioures biological reserve. You will finally arrive at a plateau that is ideal for camping. Please note: landslide in July 2025

This 7-day trek is for hikers who are used to camping in tents.Although there are a few refuges along the route, the stages are designed for those who wish to sleep in the heart of nature.The circuit crosses the Écrins massif and offers total immersion in the alpine landscape, where you can encounter local flora and fauna.Ideal for walkers who are used to the mountains, it is a complete adventure that will challenge you with its significant elevation changes and occasional technical or unmarked sections.

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.

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.

A cool hike starting from the village of Les Vigneaux. The Col de la Pousterle can be reached by many routes, but this one takes the "Via Novo", the GR®50. At the pass, there is a view overlooking the Vallée de la Vallouise, and you can even see the front of the Glacier Blanc.

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

A lovely mountain bike loop, climbing on a forest track and descending on a remarkable trail through a cool larch forest. Fans of fast, flowing single tracks will be delighted. Straddling the municipalities of Freissinières and Champcella, the latter have always fought over the mountain pastures, and this is still the case today. There is a very short section where you will need to carry your bike.

Based on the route already suggested on Visorando, the Cimetière des Vaudois, I suggest a route that allows you to discover, after the cemetery, the Grotte des Fazys, where some of these Waldensians were smoked out during the 14th and 15th centuries. This is followed by a detour through some of the charming neighbourhoods that make up the village of Freissinières, an educational route (arboretum) and finally a return via the Bois de Monsieur, along the Torrent de la Biaysse.

Hike along the ridges starting from the Freissinières valley.

Loop to the Ascension lakes starting from Lauzet. The hike passes through the small pass of Peyron, which offers a magnificent view of the two valleys, the three lakes and the entire cirque. The return trip along the forest path is a bit monotonous, but this is more than compensated for by the beauty of the landscapes you encounter.

This circuit can be started from many different places. The one described here starts from the hamlet of Lauzet above La Roche-de-Rame. Please note that the 10km access track is in very poor condition and not recommended for low-clearance vehicles.

An easy walk through the Swiss pine forest of Bois des Ayes above Villar-Saint-Pancrace.

This is a short circular walk around Puy Aillaud, to be done when there is no snow, which will allow you to admire the paragliders taking off from one of the most famous spots in the valley. You will then pass through the shade of the forest as you cross the Ravin du Goitreux.

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.

Loop starting from Pierre Feu. This circuit will take you to the chapels and hamlets around Puy-Saint-André, sundials and the "Décoiffées" fairy chimneys. An easy circuit, except for the descent to Pierre Feu, which has a few sections where you need to take care not to slip.

A short loop starting from Puy-Aillaud will take you from larch forests to hay meadows and pastures, with views of Pelvoux and the Puy-Saint-Vincent valley as far as L'Argentière-la-Bessée.

Sometimes it is worth splitting the daily walks in two to enjoy an evening in the bivouac. This is the route we have chosen this year, which allows you to marvel at the 360° landscape from the bivouac in the evening and morning.

Access from the alpine hamlet of Moussière to the bivouac area located between the Selle and Crousas mountain pastures. This mountain pasture overlooks the Cabane Sainte-Marie, where the sheep are kept at night.

A fine walk with two passes and some very beautiful scenery. Swimming available.

This pleasant second day begins with a climb to the Col de Moussière before passing by the very pleasant Lac du Lauzet, then taking the long forest track back to the Moussière car park.

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.

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

Hike above Ailefroide with a beautiful panoramic view of the Vallouise valley, the small pass of Rascrouset, the Selé, the Pelvoux and the Glacier Blanc. Excellent viewpoint, especially of the Pelvoux.

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.