Le Freney-d'Oisans walks

A mountain hike on the Emparis plateau with views of La Meije.This hike can be completed over several days. Message from the moderators: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (for more information on this SNA and available accommodation, see the practical information).

Another magical stage, thanks to the breathtaking scenery all along the balcony trail above Lac du Chambon, including a stop at the ‘petrifying’ spring. Opposite lies a long mountain range and majestic glaciers, with famous names: the Girose Glacier, Pic de la Grave, Le Râteau and the majestic Meije. You will finish this stage at the start of the Emparis plateau at the Refuge des Mouterres, one of the most beautiful camping spots with an exceptional view of the Meije. Message from the moderators: You are in a sensitive natural area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

In the past, there were hot springs in the hamlet of Mailloz, which were used by the locals for a very long time. Some records indicate a temperature of 20°C, whilst others suggest as high as 28°C. These springs disappeared when the Chambon dam and the penstocks were built. This path takes you through the Mailloz forest, past various historical remains: the Italians’ hut (built by workers), a penstock, a small dam, an old mill, former bathing areas and the old tufa waterfall. Not to mention, towards the end, a stop at the little lake of Mailloz, an enchanting spot for a picnic or a dip in the water. Do also take a moment to admire the trees in the forest; some appear to be well over a hundred years old.

This circular route starts at the car park below the Saint-Géraud Chapel and takes you to the summit of the Croix de Cassini, passing over two passes on the ascent and one on the descent. Throughout the route, hikers are treated to magnificent views of the peaks and the Écrins National Park.

An easy hike to warm up and enjoy a superb view of the Deux Alpes resort. In this sense, the route allows you to benefit from the shade of the forest on the way up, and therefore to arrive in good conditions at Clos des Balmettes, where the descent to the resort will be in the open.

This walk takes you to the Croix de Cassini (2,361 m), offering a magnificent 360° view of La Meije, the Aiguilles d’Arves, the Grandes Rousses, Belledonne, Le Taillefer and the Muzelle Glacier. In good weather, you may be able to see Mont Blanc, and blueberries can be picked in season.

This route offers magnificent views of the Écrins Massif and La Meije, as well as the Bourg-d’Oisans valley. There are four chapels along the route: those in the hamlets of Les Cours and Cluy, the Saint-Géraud Chapel and the chapel in the hamlet of Les Certs. This is an easy walk with several picnic spots along the way. There are several alternative routes available, allowing you to extend the route. You can start from the resort.

A short walk starting from the village of Les Cours, taking you through six hamlets. An easy route taking less than 2 hours. You can extend the route with other circular loops using the various signposted waypoints.

This easy circular offers superb 360° views of five mountain ranges during the journeyOisans with a view of La MeijeThe Aiguilles d'Arves, symbol of the MaurienneThe Grandes Rousses mountain rangeThe Belledonne rangeThe Taillefer massifnot forgetting the Emparis plateau.

Hike on a historic site chosen by César-François Cassini in the18th century to map the Écrins Massif and other surrounding mountains. Magnificent 360° viewpoint over the Grandes Rousses, Belledonne, Taillefer, Rochail, Muzelle, Mont de Lans Glacier, La Meije, Aiguilles d'Arves and even Mont Blanc in the distance! And the resorts of Alpe d'Huez on one side and Les Deux Alpes on the other... An easy climb but a more... "sporting" descent!

A route, which can be done with the family, to discover the oratories built by the Bessats in the 19th century. The route follows a sunny slope and passes through two hamlets with typical houses and the village of Besse, which is worth a visit in its own right. As a bonus, there are some magnificent panoramic views of the Grandes Rousses and Écrins massifs between La Meije and Le Rochail.

This is a beautiful hike with a wide variety of landscapes ranging from pastures to glaciers that can be admired on the northern slope of the Écrins. Message from the moderator: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

A superb loop that is fairly accessible, even if the first kilometre is on a slightly steep path. You will cross multiple waterfalls, streams and torrents, all with breathtaking views of the Emparis plateau and all the surrounding mountains.

This is a beautiful walk that allows you to discover the beautiful chalets of Alpe d'Huez, followed by a gentle path to an old coal mine that closed in 1951, the Herpie mine. Then there is a steeper climb to Lac Blanc. The descent to Alpe d'Huez offers a beautiful view of the resort.

Starting from the centre of the village at the Alpe d’Huez resort, this is a superb winter walk in fine weather, requiring little or no special equipment (walking poles are useful but not essential) and very accessible. The summer scenery of the many lakes is completely transformed when covered in snow. There’s a stunning panoramic view beneath the Grandes Rousses and its beautiful blue ice waterfalls.

A nice little circular loop in the Écrins National Park, to Lac du Lauvitel, from the Ougiers car park. The hike can start from La Danchère, but in August 2024 the road was closed due to a landslide in June. The ascent is via Les Selles and the descent via Les Rousses. It is a mountain trail, much of which runs through forest, so it is shaded, which is useful in hot weather. The trail is mostly paved with old stones and there are small bridges to cross.

This is a circular route without difficulty that takes you down into the Sarenne gorges. The first half of the hike is on the road with beautiful panoramic views, and the second half is along the Sarenne river, through the undergrowth to the village of Huez. You can choose to go back up via the ski lift or on foot via the Chemin du Village de l'Alpe (allow an extra 1½ hours, with a significant elevation gain).