Le Monêtier-les-Bains walks

A short, unpretentious walk, best done in spring, on foot or with snowshoes depending on conditions, with a good chance of encountering ibex and/or mouflon.

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

This is a walk that could be called an aperitif if done early in the morning, or a digestif if done early in the afternoon. It is of course possible in all seasons, either on foot or with snowshoes.

This hike will take us to the border between the Serre-Chevalier ski area and the Écrins National Park. The Pas de l'Âne offers an interesting view of the Agneaux mountain.

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.

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).

The Briançonnais region had several hundred peasant-mines each operated by 2 to 3 people. This route lets you access two of these sites in the Guisane valley. Here you can still find remnants of these operations. It also offers stunning panoramic views of the Guisane valley and the Les Agneaux mountain. You can enjoy this in both summer and winter, with snowshoes (the southern exposure allows for rapid stabilisation of the snowpack).

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

The Guisane, which waters the entire valley from the Col du Lautaret, crosses the villages of Serre Chevalier, Le Monêtier-les-Bains, La Salle-les-Alpes and Chantemerle before joining the Durance in Briançon. This easy climb follows the old Lautaret road to the pass, before turning left to reach the source of the Guisane.

This third stage of the crossing of France, following the 45th parallel as closely as possible, is long and difficult but absolutely magnificent. You will discover or rediscover the two jewels that are the Écrins and Meije massifs. Most of the route is on the GR® 50 and GR® 57. The paths are well marked and well maintained. This stage can be divided into four sections: 1) an ascent to the Col du Chardonnet; 2) the descent to Lauzet; 3) the ascent to the Col du Lautaret; 4) the descent to Arsine.

A post-lunch stroll at the foot of the Aiguillette du Lauzet overlooking the Lautaret sector of the great mountain passes.

20 minutes from the town of Monêtier-les-Bains. A beautiful day hike with a magnificent view at the end. View of the Grand Lac and the Écrins massif. Return to the car park via the same route.

Variation on the round trip hike: Le Grand Lac and Lac de la Ponsonnière allow for a circular route with a passage through a chimney, but this limits access to those with a minimum of mountain experience. A breathtaking, panoramic view of the Écrins Massif: Mont Pelvoux, Barre des Écrins, Pic de Neige Cordier, La Meije, Le Rateau and more.

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

The most popular ski summit in the Alps, offering breathtaking 360° views of the great peaks of the Écrins massif, the Cerces, the Vanoise and Mont Blanc.