Oulx walks

This is the first stage of a journey that will take you across France, following the 45th parallel as closely as possible (within 10 km). To truly cross France and avoid going back and forth, the starting point is in Italy. However, it is possible to start from Pamplinet and climb up to the Col de Désertes to start from the French-Italian border.

For a tour of four typical villages, this is a very shaded route that will delight young and old alike.

This circular route along the south-western bank of the River Dora Riparia allows you to visit the beautiful hilltop villages overlooking the valley. Excellently situated, these villages enjoy maximum sunshine as well as superb views of the valley and the Saulx d’Oulx resort.

Above Bardonecchia, this cross has a particularly striking view of the winding road connecting the exit from the Fréjus tunnel to the Italian cities, beginning with Turin.

A particularly pleasant circular route above the Doria Riparia valley, which links Césane to Oulx and joins the main route leading to Turin and the Fréjus Tunnel. From Fenils, there’s a lovely view of the ski slopes at Sestrières.

Enjoy both the pleasure of a lake and a beautiful ridge offering a 360° panorama (Écrins, Vanoise, Orsiera Park, Val Troncea, Queyras), all starting from a charming little hamlet that has been beautifully restored.

A circular route along the border starting from the road linking Névache to Bardonnèche.

The hike from Col de l’Échelle to Aiguille Rouge is a classic route usually done as a round trip via an easy path. The uniqueness of the route suggested here lies in the fact that it follows a little-known path for much of the ascent. Please note: as this path passes through areas prone to erosion, it is therefore reserved for experienced hikers.

A beautiful hike that takes you from a larch forest to a mineral world. We tackle the summit of the Aiguille Rouge with its splendid panorama, then the vast mountain pasture of the Col des Thures and Lake Chavillon, under the watchful eye of the three Wise Men of the Vallée Étroite. We extend the hike to Lake Bellety, which is less frequented but well worth the detour.

A magnificent circular hike that avoids a mundane return trip to the Aiguille Rouge. This hike ventures off the marked trails on a few occasions, but civilisation is always in sight, so it’s impossible to get lost. After the superb viewpoint at the Aiguille Rouge, the route takes in two lakes as well as a multitude of fairy chimneys in the Combe des Thures.

This section corresponds to the second stage of the crossing of France, following the 45th parallel. This stage is magnificent and can be a hike in its own right. You follow the Clarée valley and discover beautiful waterfalls before climbing up to the Refuge du Chardonnet.

This forest hike does not present any major difficulties. It is suitable for all experienced hikers. It can be done in all seasons, but I prefer autumn because of the colours of the larch trees. After the first snowfall, it is also possible to do this route on snowshoes. However, be careful of the often exposed slopes, which are prone to avalanches.

Visit one of the many forts covering the Briançonnais region, unfortunately now in ruins. This fort overlooks the Clarée Valley and in particular the Cols de l'Échelle and Cols des Acles passes on the Italian border.

The Rocher de Barrabas or Guglia di Mezzodi is a peak on the Italian border with a particularly striking profile. It forms part of a veritable amphitheatre of Dolomite rocks on the Italian side. The view it offers is simply breathtaking.

The lower part of the Maurienne Valley is better known for its motorway – which people drive along without stopping – than for its wild high-mountain landscapes. This route, starting from St Pierre d’Extravache and winding through rocky landscapes, deep blue lakes and ever-present glaciers, disproves the reputation that the valley may have been given. You’ll be walking for three days amongst mountain pastures and high peaks, whilst remaining in mid-mountain terrain.

A very beautiful route amongst glaciers and lakes, which crosses the Italian border (beautiful view of the Val di Suza) and returns to France via the Col Clapier, which Hannibal and his elephants probably passed through. This route follows on from the hike “From the Bramanette Refuge to the Ambin Refuge”, but can easily be done starting from the Ambin Refuge alone.

This is a very easy hike that allows you to discover the beautiful Vallée Étroite, ending in a grand finale at the famous Lac Vert.

The Col du Chaberton precedes the summit of the same name; the hike starting from Montgenèvre takes the hiker through two distinct areas: the new ski resort and the old military fortifications.

This summit overlooks Montgenèvre, as well as the entire Petite Durance valley and Briançon in particular. A fort with eight turrets supporting eight cannons was built here. This colossal work, carried out by the Italian army and intended to fire heavy shells at Briançon, was useless because, at the start of the war, French artillery fire destroyed this magnificent structure. But today, the ruins, now French, stand the test of time and offer a surprising view.

A visit to two passes at the head of the Vallon des Frères Mineurs in the Montgenèvre ski resort.

Hike to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Écrins, from Sirac to Meije and Cerces. Panoramic view of the Italian peaks of Piedmont and some of the peaks of Queyras.

A very peaceful walk along the road and through the forest to reach this small tunnel before the long descent to Bardonneche.

Visit two pretty lakes located on the link between the Névache Valley and the Vallée Etroite. The Lac de Chavillon is located at the Col des Thures, the crossing point between the two valleys mentioned above. The Lac Bellety above is on the border between the former provinces of Dauphiné and Savoie.

A lovely hike to an easily accessible summit, offering superb views of some of the peaks of Queyras, Écrins and the Italian Piedmont.

A lovely, easy walk, mostly through a larch forest and, for a short stretch, along the Clarée. In summer, you can enjoy the magnificent alpine flora that accompanies you along the entire route.

In Névache in summer, the trails are very busy, especially those leading to the beautiful Lac des Thures, which is more accurately called Lac de Chavillon, but as it is located right at the Col des Thures, it is easier to associate it with this name.

A walk around the village of Névache to explore a beautiful forest and a charming forest hut.

Lovely loop above Val-des-Prés providing a bird's eye view of the famous Clarée Valley.

A very beautiful, easy walk through the larch forest. It runs alongside the Bois du Prarial before taking a lovely path (Le Brousset) which offers magnificent panoramic views of Mont Chaberton and the summit of La Loubatière. You then head towards the headwaters of the Durance, which converge in a beautiful glacial cirque dominated by the Sommet de Château Jouan and the Janus military fortification. The walk ends as you follow the river along its left bank.

This walk, starting from Montgenèvre, passes through a beautiful forest before reaching a vast natural terrace offering superb panoramic views, particularly of the Grand Charvia, the small pass and the surrounding mountains.

This easy route, which crosses the French-Italian border, will allow you to discover the magnificent San Gervasio Gorges, the stream that flows through them, and the charming village of Clavière.

A hike starting from the Montgenèvre resort towards a border peak offering a fantastic panorama of the surrounding French-Italian summits.

A very pleasant route along the banks of the Clarée with the discovery of a historic cave. (Please note: the path through the Ravin des Sables is currently completely destroyed, so it is advisable to reverse the direction of the hike to reach the cave.)

A hike to a very accessible summit in the Piedmont, offering sweeping views of the surrounding French and Italian peaks and the Écrins.

A lovely, isolated hike, far from the overcrowded trails. Requires a little attention to orientation and the location of the path.

A lovely, easy walk in the peaceful forest, starting at the top of the gondola lift and returning by chairlift.

A short loop with good slopes, both uphill and downhill.

An easy route to reach the Thabor refuge and spend a good night’s sleep before heading over to Mont Thabor and the Chalets de Laval. This section is accessible by mountain bike.

The border range near Modane comprises a series of peaks along a ridge, which the French call Grand Argentier and the Italians call Punta Nera (Pointe Noire). It is possible to visit these peaks by traversing from the Col de la Roue to the Col du Fréjus, following the ‘Sentiers de la Mémoire’ (Paths of Remembrance) across these passes, which are dotted with military border defences bearing witness to the fighting of 1940.

A superb hike on the border between Savoie and the Hautes Alpes, almost in Italy. Tormented landscapes, high mountains, a chapel at over 3,150 metres, lakes, snowfields, and a bit of contemporary history, as a large part of the route has only been French territory since 1947.

The Lacs Sainte-Marguerite are two pretty lakes a stone's throw from the Mont Thabor refuge. The Lac Rond and Lac Long are set in a very mineral environment at the foot of the Cheval Blanc.

This thirteenth stage marks the start of the crossing of the Queyras Massif. From La Vachette, the previous day’s trail joins the GR®5. After a flat start, the forest path winds its way along the banks of the Durance as it descends towards the hamlet of L’Envers du Fontenil, before climbing up to a fortification at the foot of the Fort des Trois Têtes and then crossing the remarkable Pont d’Asfeld. The GR®5 climbs to the Cité Vauban in Briançon, one of France’s finest fortified towns, and descends via the Portes d’Embrun to the Parc de la Schappe. It heads south towards Villar-Saint-Pancrace, then veers off towards Les Ayes via the hamlets of La Mourande, Sachas and Soubeyran, from where it climbs to the Chapelle Saint-Laurent, then on to Le Lauzin, before reaching the Chalets des Ayes. It reaches the Col des Ayes, descends the opposite slope, joins a track at L’Eychaillon and turns left onto it, running alongside the Torrent de la Rivière as far as Brunissard and then La Chalp.

This is an easy, downhill hike from Valfréjus to Modane. The route follows the GR®5. It is a gentle slope, passing near the pretty Notre-Dame du Charmaix chapel, and there are many oratories in different styles along the way. Take the shuttle bus between Modane station and Valfréjus, but be sure to check the timetable.

A lovely route, mostly shaded. You walk alongside the Charmaix stream on one side on the way up and on the other on the way down. Very nice view on arrival.

Climb to the summit of Le Truc for magnificent views over the Maurienne Valley, the Vanoise, the Grand Vallon, Arrondaz and the Col de la Roue. The view is already very beautiful from Arplane.

The ascent is very shaded by Le Seuil and Les Bovenières. The descent is via La Challe and the Sentier des Ânes.

A challenging hike starting from Valfréjus resort, the first stage to reach Lac des Méandes (below Col des Méandes). The view is incredible all along the route.Be careful, there is very little shade and at an altitude of 2,700 metres, it is always a little chilly.

Circular route starting from Valfrejus Station, to Lavoir, then Fort du Collet, La Turra and Bon Pré, before descending back to the station. This route offers sublime, uninterrupted views of Thabor and the refuge, as well as the Modane valley and Valfréjus Station.

An easy route passing by the Notre-Dame du Charmaix Chapel, which blends seamlessly with the rock face. Then, the Chemin des Essarts: a Discovery Trail with information boards on local flora and fauna created by pupils from the Collège de la Vanoise. And there’s also a beautiful waterfall to admire!

From the Vauban citadel to the Pierre aux Œufs site, a megalithic site featuring cup marks.

For those who love aerial views, the Croix de Toulouse offers a spectacular view of Briançon.

A beautiful hike starting from the centre of Briançon, offering magnificent views of the town, the valley and the famous glaciers of the Écrins massif.

An easy family hike. Caution in the mountains: children must be supervised at all times due to the presence of ravines. Round trip route in the Vauban city of Briançon. Numerous viewpoints and historical sites of great interest.