Refine your search for walks in Vars
Vars walks
Crêtes de Vars via Vars-Sainte-Catherine
Visorando Member
6.44 mi
+2,703 ft
-2,690 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A magnificent route along a jagged rocky ridge offering sublime views of Font Sancte and the surrounding peaks. Panoramic views of the Écrins mountains throughout.
La Mortice from Sainte-Catherine
14.28 mi
+4,216 ft
-4,186 ft
10h 15
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
Heading towards La Mortice and its three small peaks at over 3,000m.
Magnificent views from this ridge after passing the small Lac des Neuf Couleurs on the way up.
The Selle ridges
7.14 mi
+2,060 ft
-2,031 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful hike starting from the village of Sainte-Catherine. You will pass from one valley to another. Along the way, you will see a beautiful valley, numerous marmots and an interesting descent along the Chagnon torrent.
Col de Serenne and Crête de la Selle from Vars
10.59 mi
+3,301 ft
-3,301 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A long loop passing through two passes and several ridge crossings, traversing mountain pastures. The Couniets and Selle ridges are wild and rarely visited. Magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
La Selle from Vars-Sainte-Marie
11.24 mi
+2,661 ft
-2,661 ft
7h 30
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A circular route around Vars-Sainte-Marie, offering a beautiful view of the Vars countryside.
Basse Rua - Maljasset
10.62 mi
+4,688 ft
-4,186 ft
9h 00
Very difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
There is a long crossing before the Col des Houerts, which takes you into the Ubaye Valley.
The Lac des Neuf Couleurs below La Mortice
9.15 mi
+3,068 ft
-3,068 ft
6h 55
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
Visit the lake of the same name as the one below Brec du Chambeyron in Ubaye. It is located at the bottom of Val d'Escreins and at the foot of La Mortice.
Oratory and Source of the Font Sancte from the Escreins car park
Association / Club / Walk leader6.73 mi
+1,923 ft
-1,923 ft
4h 45
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
An unmissable hike that allows you to explore the Val d’Escreins and make your way up to the source of the Rif Bel stream, alternating between its two banks. Along the way, you may come across some remarkable trees that are hundreds of years old.
La Mortice
9.06 mi
+3,383 ft
-3,383 ft
7h 05
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
La Mortice offers beautiful views over the upper Ubaye valley and is accessible to any hiker accustomed to the mountains.
Pic d’Escreins from the Val d’Escreins
6.59 mi
+3,409 ft
-3,399 ft
6h 00
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
The Pic d'Escreins is a peak at an altitude of 2,700 m, situated between two slopes.
It takes you from the Val d'Escreins Nature Reserve to the Queyras Massif.
This route starts from the Val d’Escreins, which is 6 km from the Pic d'Escreins, with a total ascent of 1,200 m.
The ascent is steady throughout, with sections featuring steps and cables between points (3) and (4), where you must remain vigilant but which present no major technical difficulty.
Pic d’Escreins
10.28 mi
+4,839 ft
-4,810 ft
8h 55
Difficult
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A lovely circular walk where the highest point offers a magnificent 360° view of the Écrins massif, the Queyras and Mont Blanc.
The Crêtes de Vars via the Val d'Escreins
6.94 mi
+2,822 ft
-2,841 ft
5h 40
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful classic hike that starts from Val d'Escreins (nature reserve) and climbs up to the ridges overlooking the Vars Valley, then descends further down via another pass.
Belvédère de l'Homme de Pierre
7.34 mi
+1,932 ft
-1,926 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Risoul (Hautes-Alpes)
This is a beautiful route with no real difficulties, offering magnificent scenery along most of the way. The 360° view from the Homme de Pierre viewpoint is truly spectacular. The Martinat ridge also offers superb panoramic views.
Col de Vars
8.77 mi
+1,476 ft
-1,453 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A pleasant and easy walk to the Col de Vars, where you are sure to spot marmots.
The Cols de l'Écuelle and Cols de Vars starting from Vars-les-Claux
5.57 mi
+1,572 ft
-1,572 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Vars (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful family hike starting from the Vars-les-Claux resort, taking you to the Col de l'Écuelle via the old Combe Froide rock glacier and then the very touristy Col de Vars.
There are many variations on this hike, but I suggest the wildest route possible to avoid the human developments on the mountain.
Salva Canal from Guillestre
5.18 mi
+935 ft
-928 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from Guillestre (Hautes-Alpes)
A lovely walk in a green setting with little elevation gain on an easy trail (along the water) to do with the family, keeping a close eye on young children in the more exposed areas or on the ridge. Some sections offer superb views of Guillestre and beyond, then through the trees to the Guil Gorges.
Val d'Escreins from Guillestre
9.38 mi
+2,490 ft
-2,490 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Guillestre (Hautes-Alpes)
A pleasant trail nestled at the bottom of a gorge running alongside the Rif Bel leads to the heart of a valley. Until 1880, this trail was the only direct access between Guillestre and the hamlets of the Val d'Escreins, before the road from Vars was built.
More walks in Vars
Select a point of interest below: