Villar-d'Arêne walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A relatively low-altitude foray into a high mountain landscape where the Romanche river rises in the scree following the Plate des Agneaux glacier.

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

Mountain hike ending at the glacial lake of Goléon, superb balcony views of the Meije massif and discovery of typical mountain hamlets.

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.

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.

Hiking in the Ecrins massif towards glacial lakes.

Hike to a first-class viewpoint of La Meije.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.