Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans walks

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.

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.

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 hike will take you through the magnificent Lavey (or Muande) valley with its stone bridges and waterfalls, the Lavey refuge, a reminder of a bygone mountain farming life, and, in a wild and beautiful setting, the turquoise waters of Lac des Bèches, dominated by the Aiguille des Arias and its immense scree slopes. From there, the panorama stretches from the Aiguille du Plat de la Selle and the Dibona to the north, to the Tête des Fétoules and the Aiguille de l'Olan to the south.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

La Tête de la Maye is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Écrins, accessible via a hike from La Bérarde.

A lovely hike in the Ecrins to see the Pilatte glacier. There are no tricky sections or navigation difficulties.

Treat yourself to one of the most beautiful views of the Écrins Massif and the Vénéon Valley by climbing up to the Refuge de Temple-Écrins. Your efforts will be richly rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of the highest peaks in the massif, including its highest point at 4,102 metres. And as a bonus, you can enjoy a delicious omelette with bacon, potatoes and cheese on the terrace at an altitude of 2,410 metres!

A beautiful hike up the Étançons torrent with views of the Barre des Écrins and La Meije, staying on paths that present no technical difficulties.

A very alpine hike in the magnificent Vallon de la Pilatte cirque, beneath the Dentelles des Écrins. Half of the route is off-trail and therefore requires good terrain reading skills. After a steep climb through mountain pastures where marmots, chamois and ibex abound, the rounded rocks and scree precede the glacier leading to the Col des Avalanches, from where you can admire the splendid panoramic views of the Écrins, the Glacier Noir and the Rouies.

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).

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).

Ethird stage involving the ascent of a pass with no major technical difficulty, though the gradient is steep in places and differs slightly from the route shown on the IGN map. From the top of the pass, there is a splendid view of the Col de la Muzelle, the Roche de la Muzelle and the Pic du Clapier du Peyron on either side, promising a beautiful stage for the following day. During the descent, you pass through a maze of large, intertwined slabs of slate clinging to the mountainside.

A hike to discover a magnificent, fairly well-known and easily accessible waterfall. Then, and above all, a short hanging valley, shaped like a glacial cirque, much more secluded and rather wild.

Magnificent view of the north face of Olan (3,563 m), accessed via a typical trough-shaped glacial valley. First, you pass the Pisse waterfall, then you enter this valley deeply carved out by glaciers before reaching the only refuge in the valley. You are facing the Olan with its 1,000-metre vertical wall, but there are still 300 metres to climb to reach the Col des Lauvets with its viewpoints.

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 to a first-class viewpoint of La Meije.

Hike facing the majestic panorama offered by La Meije, one of the queens of the Ecrins. Message from the moderator: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

A somewhat long but magnificent hike with the Meije glaciers in the background. Message from the moderator: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

This is an easy walk, mainly on paved or unpaved tracks (some are necessary), which nevertheless offers constant views of the Meije massif, wide open spaces around you, and a bright route rich in discoveries. What's more, this route is ideal for Nordic walking.