Mont-de-Lans walks

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).

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 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.

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.

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!

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 breathtaking hike leading to the magnificent Lac de la Muzelle in the Écrins National Park. A challenging climb alongside streams and waterfalls.

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.

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

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.

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.

Stage7 of this route. One of the most beautiful stages of this tour of the Écrins National Park. After making the most of the welcome at the Refuge des Mouterres and a campsite with an extraordinary view, you will discover the unspoilt nature of the Emparis Plateau, a Natura 2000 site with abundant mountain flora. You will leave theGR® 54C for a detour across the Emparis Plateau and its three lakes, Cristallin, Noir and Lérié, before descending to La Grave. Message from the moderators: You are in a sensitive natural area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

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.

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

This is a route best enjoyed in a group of hikers or with your family, as the elevation gain is relatively low. However, it is a walk that will allow you to admire the scenery and walk along the edge of the crevasse. Be careful though, you are in the mountains and there are no safety barriers, so caution is advised. Discover edelweiss, marmots and gentian flowers and enjoy the immensely beautiful landscape! For the more adventurous, you can start from the village of Besse on theGR®54to arrive at the same starting point. Message from the moderator: You are in a sensitive natural area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

Lac des Quirlies (2,566 m) and its eponymous glacier are situated on the eastern slope of the Grandes Rousses massif, right at the far end of the Ferrand Valley. This is a truly beautiful hike that passes through a lush, peaceful valley before reaching a much more rugged landscape around this glacial lake, surrounded by high peaks. Magnificent panoramic views of the Arves and Écrins massifs and, in the distance, the Vanoise. No technical difficulty apart from the length and elevation gain.

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.

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).

A magnificent hike in the Oisans region starting from the Plan du Lac lodge, taking in a small mountain hamlet with its tightly packed houses and offering a magnificent panorama of Pointe Swan (3,294m), all whilst following the rushing torrent of La Pisse.

This redesigned route follows the path that the postman used to take to deliver the mail to the village of Villard Raymond. It is now part ofthe GR®50Tour du Dauphiné.

After the difficult climb to Villard-Raymond, we will enjoy a varied hike through forests and mountain pastures, climbing to a small summit with a cross for a view of the entire landscape.

In an hour, you can reach a 360-degree viewpoint offering views of four Alpine massifs: Taillefer, Belledonne, Grandes Rousses and Écrins. The hike starts in the picturesque village of Villard-Reymond, which can be reached via a narrow road (with around 20 hairpin bends) from the Col d'Ornon. It begins in the shade of the undergrowth before reaching a ridge and then the Col de Saint-Jean. A steep climb, but under pine trees, takes you to the summit of Prégentil, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of peaks reaching 3,000-4,000 metres.

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 is a fairly simple, easy hike offering beautiful views of the Écrins massif and the Vénéon valley around Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, with the option of an orientation table to help you find your way around.

An easy walk at medium altitude, accessible to most people, around the four lakes: Lac Noir, Lac Besson, Lac Faucille and Lac Carrelet, above Alpe d'Huez. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Get off the beaten track by passing by Lac Noir and return above Lac Carrelet and Lac Besson!

A complete change of scenery is guaranteed on this ride, where you’ll be treated to a feast of lakes. The approach to the plateau via the Refuge de la Fare is impressive but poses no real danger, especially as the view on arrival is well worth the effort. Reaching the Dôme des Petites Rousses is then a mere formality before tackling the descent, partly along the ski runs.

After a challenging and technical day on this trek, today is a transitional stage leading to the magnificent village of Mizoën. The descent to Venosc is absolutely stunning, featuring beautiful waterfalls. Then, after a cable car ride reducing the elevation gain to 300 m, you’ll cross the resort of Les Deux Alpes, dominated by the Girose Glacier. You’ll reach Lac Chambon and the splendid village of Mizoën with its Lodge l’Emparis.

Hike to a 3,000-metre peak offering a complete 360° panorama of the Écrins, the Grandes Rousses, Savoie, Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles d'Arves.To take this route, you will need a high-clearance vehicle. (!) User comment on 2 September 2025: >Very beautiful hike, but in my opinion the route should be revised. The track from Le Chazelet is closed to traffic( reserved for authorised persons and alpine farmers only).

The last stage begins at the large Vallon Lake. You will then cross the Col du Rochail, which rises to an altitude of 2,756 metres. After this climb, your path will take you to the Refuge des Sources, then to Villard-Notre-Dame, a village offering a superb view of Bourg-d'Oisans, your final destination.

Admittedly a fairly long hike, but one that will allow you to discover the magnificent Muande valley, with the Lavey refuge halfway along, and, once you reach the end, its majestic peaks and glaciers. No particular difficulty; the paths are always clearly visible and well signposted. Several alternative routes are available: see the ‘Practical Information’ section.

This beautiful route in the magnificent Oisans massif takes you from the wild Vénéon valley to the small Alpe du Pin refuge, passing by the two magnificent waterfalls of Mariande and Froide Pisse. The crossing between the two valleys offers a beautiful panorama of some of the peaks of the Oisans.

This superb hike starting from Allemont passes by the lake, the pass and the Croix de Belledonne before descending through the very wild Bâton valley and past the Lacs du Bœuf and du Bois. Half of the route is completely off-trail, allowing you to observe wildlife and listen to the sounds of the mountains in complete tranquillity. This challenging route requires crampons and an ice axe in all seasons and a night-time start in summer (see practical information).