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Villar-Saint-Pancrace walks
The Ravin des Merles and the Demoiselles Décoiffées
Loop starting from Pierre Feu. This circuit will take you to the chapels and hamlets around Puy-Saint-André, sundials and the "Décoiffées" fairy chimneys. An easy circuit, except for the descent to Pierre Feu, which has a few sections where you need to take care not to slip.
Notre-Dame des Neiges
Visit a chapel overlooking Briançon, offering remarkable views of the Durance valley.
The Fort des Têtes
In the footsteps of the military constructions of the Briançonnais region.
The Poët Morand chalets
This is a very interesting circular route for visiting the Poët Morand chalets, which offer remarkable views of two of the old Briançon forts: Infernet to the north and Grand Maye to the south.
Tour of Pont Baldy Lake
An easy hike between Vauban fortifications and the turquoise waters of Lake Pont Baldy.
Fort de l'Infernet
Visit a sentry fort overlooking the five Briançon valleys.
Vauban city - Pont d'Asfeld - Fort des Trois Têtes - Parc de la Schappe
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.
Serre des Aigles via the Croix de Toulouse
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.
The Guisane Canals
A very pleasant walk along the banks of the Guisane canals.
The Cross of Toulouse
For those who love aerial views, the Croix de Toulouse offers a spectacular view of Briançon.
The grand circuit of Les Ayes
A fine walk with two passes and some very beautiful scenery. Swimming available.
The Chalets de la Taure circuit
An easy walk through the Swiss pine forest of Bois des Ayes above Villar-Saint-Pancrace.
From the banks of the Guisane to the heights of Saint-Chaffrey
This lovely walk showcases two remarkable features of Saint-Chaffrey: a cool path along the Torrent de la Guisane and its canal, followed by a tour of the hamlets of Chantemerle, Villard Laté and La Villette. Beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountains complete this walk.
Cascade de la Pisse - Bois des Rousses - Bois de l'Ours in Saint-Chaffrey
A very pleasant route through a pine forest. Panoramic views of the Serre Chevalier valley, the village of Saint-Chaffrey and the Écrins mountain range.
Croix de la Salcette
Hike on the impressive and magnificent rocky massif of Montbrison with a passage under Les Tenailles, a legendary spot for climbers. The cross is a magnificent viewpoint.
The route includes a few short off-trail sections, made easier by using the Visorando app.
Moderator's note: following some difficulties encountered by a hiker, you can watch this video to get a better idea of the potential problems this route may pose.
The Fort de l'Infernet from the Sommet des Anges
In summer, when the Montgenèvre ski lifts are open, there is an easy walk to the Fort de l'Infernet, which offers exceptional views of the Briançon valleys from the top station of the Gondrans chairlift.
Fort Janus
A magnificent walk discovering the forts that once protected Briançon from Italian invasion.
Breathtaking 360° panorama.
The sheepfold of Peyre Moute
Circuit opposite the magnificent peak of Rochebrune with an exceptional view of the road of the Col d'Izoard. And besides, there are chamois here!
Ancient Fort of Gondran or Sommet des Anges via Lac des Sarailles
A historic hike with a visit to two Maginot forts, a ridge walk with views of a multitude of peaks in the Écrins, Cerces, Italy and Queyras ranges, a descent to two pretty lakes and a return through a landscape of chimneys with another view of the Écrins. These are the ingredients of one of the most beautiful routes in the Briançonnais.
The Oules Waterfall
Discover the Oules waterfall at the bottom of the Blétonnet valley, starting from Laus de Cervières.
The Mule - Loubatières circular
This circular starting from Laus de Cervières leads through two very pleasant woods: Péméant and Loubatières. It is a very interesting route in hot weather as it mainly passes under the large larch trees of these two forests.
The Cave of the Fifty Donkeys
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.)
Lake circuit via Lac Gignoux
This beautiful loop allows you to see Lac des Sarailles, the customs officers' hut, Lac Gignoux and Lac Noir in succession, ending at the ruined hamlet of Les Fraches. The summit of Le Chenaillet, particularly popular for its geological features, can be seen throughout this loop.
Mont Chenaillet
Le Chenaillet, an ancient volcano located under the ocean, is of exceptional geological interest. It is an easy hike with two lakes to discover and a 360° panoramic view of Italy, the Écrins, the Briançonnais and some of the peaks of the Queyras.
Le Grand Charvia
A pleasant hike in the Cervières mountains near Briançon, climbing to a summit and discovering three lakes, including the magnificent turquoise-blue Lac Gignoux.
360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks, Izoard, Ecrins and Cerces.
I recommend supplementing the description by using the Visorando app.
The Cime de Saurel via the lakes
A Franco-Italian hike to a summit offering a beautiful panorama of the Fonts
and Piedmont, enhanced by the discovery of numerous lakes.
As this route has several intersections, I recommend supplementing the description with the Visorando app.
See also the video where I show the different intersections.
The Col de la Pousterle
A cool hike starting from the village of Les Vigneaux. The Col de la Pousterle can be reached by many routes, but this one takes the "Via Novo", the GR®50. At the pass, there is a view overlooking the Vallée de la Vallouise, and you can even see the front of the Glacier Blanc.
The Bez Botanical Trail
A circular route in the Serre Chevalier ski area to explore the botanical trail. The numerous information boards help you identify the various plants and trees.
Col de Néal
Col de Néal and the nearby lake are part of many routes on the site. This very easy double circular path allows you to discover them and enjoy the chalets and mountain pastures that precede these places.
The walk of the four lakes and a few beautiful ponds
A beautiful, varied route with no difficulty, allowing you to discover several high-altitude lakes in stunning scenery.
The Cinquante Anes Cave via the Lauzes Cabin
Lovely loop above Val-des-Prés providing a bird's eye view of the famous Clarée Valley.
Peyrolle ridges
Hike to one of the most beautiful ridges in the Briançonnais region, starting from the Col du Granon, allowing you to visit four peaks and revealing a beautiful panorama of the Écrins and the Cerces.
The route follows a trail with some sections that may be daunting for hikers who are prone to vertigo.
Lac de l'Oule via La Gardiole
This circuit has two attractions: a high point and a beautiful mountain lake. Close to the Serre-Chevalier resort. Family-friendly circuit.
The Lac de l'Oule circuit
A family hike starting from the Col du Granon, which allows you to discover a beautiful lake and, on the way back, magnificent views of the Ecrins.
Clot la Cime via the Col d'Izoard
A low-altitude hike offering a 360° panorama of Queyras, Cerces and Briançonnais. This well-ventilated high-altitude route is ideal in hot weather.
Pic de Rochebrune
This legendary summit in the Briançonnais region offers exceptional views of the Écrins, Cerces, Queyras and Italy. Please note: this is a challenging route, partly off-trail in scree, with steep slopes and exposed sections.
Argentière station - Ravin des Serres
For this first stage, you will begin your journey at the Argentière-les-Écrins train station. The hike follows the GR®54A, taking you through the Fournel valley and the Deslioures biological reserve. You will finally arrive at a plateau that is ideal for camping.
Please note: landslide in July 2025
Wild crossing of the Écrins
This 7-day trek is for hikers who are used to camping in tents.Although there are a few refuges along the route, the stages are designed for those who wish to sleep in the heart of nature.The circuit crosses the Écrins massif and offers total immersion in the alpine landscape, where you can encounter local flora and fauna.Ideal for walkers who are used to the mountains, it is a complete adventure that will challenge you with its significant elevation changes and occasional technical or unmarked sections.
Clapeyto and Col du Néal chalets and lakes
Long loop to explore the Clapeyto chalets, then climb above to the Terres Blanche ridge where there are several lakes. Return via the Col du Néal and theGR® 5.
Well-marked trails.
Following the closure of the trail that started from the cross-country ski centre, we will start from the small lake at the entrance to the campsite
which is an extra kilometre on the road in summer.
This hike can also be done in winter on snowshoes, starting from theGR® 5 between the cross-country ski trails.
Crête de Chalvet via the Tête des Fournéous
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.
The Belvédère du Grand Aréa
Almost perfectly pyramid-shaped when viewed from Briançon, the summit of the Grand Aréa attracts all the tourists in the valley. This means that we are never alone at the top.
Lac de Souliers - Crête du Tronchet
There is a pretty little lake at an altitude of 2,500 metres and a beautiful view of the Queyras massif from the Tronchet ridge.
The summit of Côte Belle Ouest
If you want to overlook the famous Casse Déserte, known to all cycling enthusiasts and especially fans of the Tour de France, this is the place to go.
Les Têtes via Lac des Charbonnières
This family hike allows you to discover the discreet but magnificent little Lac des Charbonnières and a splendid panorama from the summit of Les Têtes. The route is mainly through larch forest, alternating between trails and tracks, but does not present any major difficulties.
Chaberton
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.
Clapeyto chalets
A magnificent snowshoe hike to the Clapeyto chalets.
Pic des Esparges Fines
A superb circular starting from Brunissard, which takes you to Pic des Esparges Fines after a gradual climb. This is followed by a passage past several lakes, ending at the Chalets de Clapeyto, nestled in a haven of peace. The return via the Col du Cros and the descent into the woods of the same name complete this magnificent walk.
Tour des Têtes
The first part of the hike is sunny. At the top of Les Têtes, you can enjoy a 360° panorama of the Pelvoux massif to the north and west and the Durance Valley to the south.
Lac de Souliers from Brunissard
This is a pleasantly varied circular hike thanks to a climb mainly through forest, the lake and its surroundings, the rocky atmosphere of the Casse Déserte and the unusual return route along the bed of the Torrent de l'Izoard.
This lake is very popular in July and August because it is easily accessible from the Col d'Izoard road, but this route allows you to enjoy most of the hike in peace and quiet.
In the footsteps of the peasant miners of Guisane
The Briançonnais region had several hundred peasant-mines each operated by 2 to 3 people.
This route lets you access two of these sites in the Guisane valley. Here you can still find remnants of these operations.
It also offers stunning panoramic views of the Guisane valley and the Les Agneaux mountain. You can enjoy this in both summer and winter, with snowshoes (the southern exposure allows for rapid stabilisation of the snowpack).
The Lac de Roue circular loop starting from La Chalp
A short, easy circular loop that climbs to Lac de Roue via a path through the hamlet of Les Maisons. The return journey is via a forest road.
La Tête des Raisins
Part of the route is off-trail, allowing you to discover an alpine pasture that is neglected by hikers but particularly interesting.
Important note: access to the car park via the Col d'Anon forest road is difficult and not recommended for low-clearance vehicles.
From Monêtier-les-Bains to La Salle-les-Alpes
A round trip hike to be done during the snowy season (no snowshoes required as there are sections on tarmac), accessible to all ages. The route is flat and only starts to climb from Chemin des Crozes, in La Salle-les-Alpes (three-quarters of the way along the route).There is a single trail along the entire route, which runs alongside the cross-country ski trail. This is groomed and regularly maintained by the resort, making for a pleasant walk.
More walks in Villar-Saint-Pancrace
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