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Villar-d'Arêne walks
The summit of the Aiguillon
Visorando Member
4.30 mi
+1,585 ft
-1,604 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
As you walk through the mountain pastures, reach the summit of the Aiguillon, offering a 360° panorama of the Romanche Valley, the Écrins massif and its glaciers.
The Pontet Lake
Association / Club / Walk leader
2.34 mi
+778 ft
-778 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Le Pontet is a magnificent turquoise lake above the hamlet of Les Cours, near Villar d'Arêne. You can get close to it by car, but the walk from Les Cours is very pleasant and, depending on the season, you may see edelweiss and marmots.
Lac and Refuge du Goléon
10.55 mi
+3,327 ft
-3,323 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
A long day's hike giving you plenty of time to admire the La Meije massif and the Aiguilles d'Arves with an extra page just for you.
Lac du Pontet and Aiguillon
3.74 mi
+735 ft
-761 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
This route is more of a "stroll" than a "hike": first a beautiful little mountain lake that is easy to access, then a small peak with a magnificent view of the Meije massif to the south and the Goléon to the north.
This is the shortest and easiest route to discover these two tourist attractions.
Belvedere at the Évariste Chancel refuge
7.67 mi
+4,157 ft
-4,186 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
This outing, starting from La Grave, offers remarkable views of the Romanche valley. These views will be the bonus of the day after passing Lac de Puy Vachier and the Évariste Chancel refuge.
Le Signal de la Grave et le Lac du Goléon
9.60 mi
+3,675 ft
-3,675 ft
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
A 360° view of La Meije and its neighbours and the discovery of Lac du Goléon, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps.
⚠️ 30/07/2025: modification to (4) to follow the Tour des Aiguilles d'Arves and avoid private property.
The sources of the Romanche
10.05 mi
+1,932 ft
-1,916 ft
6h 20
Difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
A relatively low-altitude foray into a high mountain landscape where the Romanche river rises in the scree following the Plate des Agneaux glacier.
Le Pied du Col - Lac du Pontet - L'Aiguillon
7.66 mi
+1,834 ft
-1,824 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
This hike is accessible to all without any particular difficulty and allows you to walk with the magnificent panorama of the Meije glaciers as a backdrop.
What's more, the remarkable exposure of the circuit and its relatively modest altitude mean that this loop can be completed as soon as the snow melts.
Moderator's note added on 26/07/2021: please note that part of this circuit is no longer passable. See reviews for an alternative route
Lac du Goléon
7.45 mi
+2,290 ft
-2,290 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
Mountain hike ending at the glacial lake of Goléon, superb balcony views of the Meije massif and discovery of typical mountain hamlets.
La Grave - Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne mountain hut
6.87 mi
+2,618 ft
-669 ft
5h 25
Difficult
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
After a rest day in La Grave, set off on this8th stage, which presents no technical difficulties and involves no significant elevation gain. A route that circles La Meije, initially following the Romanche torrent. You will pass close to Villar d'Arène. Thesecond section, starting from Pont d'Arsine, is slightly more challenging and much wilder, taking in the Pas d'Anna Falque and the Plan d'Alpe before reaching the Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
The Lake and the Pavé Refuge
11.74 mi
+4,377 ft
-4,357 ft
10 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Enjoy a beautiful excursion into the high mountain landscape of the Écrins National Park at the foot of the magnificent peaks of Pic Gaspard, Pavé, Pic Nord des Cabales and Roche Méane, which form a magnificent cirque.
Arsine Glacier Lakes
9.12 mi
+2,664 ft
-2,641 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Hiking in the Ecrins massif towards glacial lakes.
Tête de Pradieu via the Pas d'Anna Falque
7.88 mi
+3,796 ft
-3,796 ft
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
A hike in a high-mountain setting on the slopes above the Refuge de l'Alpe, offering a breathtaking panorama of the high peaks of the Écrins massif.Partly off-trail hiking on steep slopes, where I recommend using the Visorando app.
Le Signal de la Grave
5.25 mi
+2,182 ft
-2,165 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
Hike to a first-class viewpoint of La Meije.
Emparis Plateau, Lac Lérié and Lac Noir
10.44 mi
+3,271 ft
-3,297 ft
7h 40
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
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).
Lac de Puy Vachier and the viewpoint as seen from the Glaciers cable car
3.58 mi
+1,257 ft
-1,270 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
To spare your calves, the hike begins with a cable car ride up from La Grave. At the midway station (the end of the first section), the majestic Meije and its glaciers come into view!
Then, for a bit of a walk, the path will take you to Lac de Puy Vachier with its midnight-blue waters, the Évariste Chancel mountain hut and a viewing platform from which the view takes in the upper Romanche valley, stretching from the Grandes-Rousses in the west to the Galibier and La Meije in the east.
La Baraque de la Buffe at the start of Le Chazelet
8.59 mi
+1,329 ft
-1,352 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
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.
The lakes of the Emparis plateau
8.37 mi
+2,539 ft
-2,539 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
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).
Le Gros Têt: another viewpoint overlooking La Meije above the Emparis plateau
10.80 mi
+3,205 ft
-3,209 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
A hike offering superb views of the Meije glaciers as well as the Emparis plateau.
Whilst the Emparis plateau is renowned for its views of the Meije, it is naturally very busy. This hike allows you to enjoy the same views whilst walking in a wilder setting.
Message from the moderators: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000), which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).
Circular route on the Emparis Plateau
13.95 mi
+3,156 ft
-3,169 ft
9h 10
Difficult
Departure from La Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
This is the classic route to the Emparis plateau, extended to form a circular route with varied landscapes.
Moderator’s note: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).
30/09/2024: Route modified between sections 4 and 6 to follow the markings.
From the Col du Lautaret to the Alpe de Villard d'Arène
3.91 mi
+433 ft
-302 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Stage1 of the Tour du Combeynot: From the Col du Lautaret to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge via the schistose crevasse trail overlooking the Romanche valley. Unique view of the Écrins and Meije peaks.
Arsine Glacier Lake from the Col du Lautaret
12.82 mi
+1,923 ft
-1,932 ft
7h 35
Difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
For me, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in this magnificent region of the Alps, with breathtaking views of the eastern glaciers of the Meije massif.
It is a long walk through the mountain pastures, but with very gradual climbs.
However, there is one section that may be tricky for those prone to vertigo.
A great alternative to the hike to Lac d'Arsine, which starts from Monêtier-les-Bains.
From Alpe de Villard-d'Arène to Monêtier-les-Bains
9.53 mi
+1,263 ft
-3,235 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Stage2 of the Tour du Combeynot: From the Romanche to the Guisane Valley via the Col d'Arsine, this stage takes place at the foot of the Agneaux
Alpe de Villar d'Arêne Mountain Hut - Monêtier-les-Bains
9.66 mi
+1,266 ft
-3,271 ft
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Villar-d'Arêne (Hautes-Alpes)
Stage9 of this route links the Refuge de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne to Monêtier-les-Bains, taking a short detour to the Lac du Glacier d’Arsine, surrounded by the Pics de Chamoissière, d’Arsine, de Neige Cordier, the Pointe Cézanne and the Montagne des Agneaux. Unfortunately, the Arsine Glacier is suffering from global warming. The section starting from the pass along the Petit Tabuc stream in the valley, known as the Réou d'Arsine, is magnificent and very wild.
More walks in Villar-d'Arêne
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