Hiking in the Ecrins National Park

From the moment you start hiking in the Ecrins National Park, you'll be enveloped by the majesty of the peaks and glaciers, the purity of the air and the diversity of the flora and fauna of the Alps.

FIRST STEPS IN THE PARC NATIONAL DES ÉCRINS

The Écrins National Park is all about high peaks and glaciers, and the bucolic valleys where you can admire them.

The Parc national des Ecrins, covering almost 92,000 hectares, is a veritable sanctuary of nature, where mountain landscapes rival each other in beauty and ecological richness. Prepare yourself for an immersive experience close to nature, where every trail holds wondrous discoveries and unforgettable moments of contemplation.

In this unspoilt environment, flora and fauna thrive in total freedom, offering visitors a wealth of natural wonders to admire and discover. Wild animals go about their business, sometimes offering unexpected encounters, while endemic plants display their colors and fragrances, creating a veritable visual and olfactory spectacle.

Spend a few days roaming the heart of the Écrins mountains

Itineraries in the Ecrins National Park

T.Blais

T.Blais

Itinera Magica

The boundaries of the Écrins National Park are marked by blue-white-red flags painted on rocks.

No dogs, even on a leash
No picking, no taking
No hunting
No waste
No fire, no noise, no disturbance
No camping. Bivouacs are permitted from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., more than 1 hour's walk from access roads and Park boundaries.
No boats (recreational and water sports activities)
No vehicles, no mountain bikes, no motorized overflights. Specific regulations for hang-gliding and gliding.
To avoid damage and soil erosion, do not cut trail laces.

Learn more about regulations

3 ideas in the Ecrins National Park

Looking for ideas for day hikes in the Ecrins National Park? Here are our 3 favorite hikes, starting from Villar d'Arène

1 - The Villar d'Arène alp

Alpine pastures

For a moment of contemplation in the mountain pastures, this is THE spot par excellence!

Located in the heart of the Alpine pastures, the Alpe or Chamoissière refuges welcome young and old alike, for a gourmet break during your day hike, or for a first night in a refuge, or for a stopover on the GR54 around the Ecrins.

Refuge de l'Alpe

Chamoissière Refuge

Start: Arsine, Villar d'Arène

Ascent: 370 m

Duration: 3h

Round trip distance: 8 km

Level: easy

Maps and charts : IGN Top 25 3436 ET Meije Pelvoux

Route details

2 - The Arsine pass and glacial lakes

©T. BLAIS

Glacier meltwater

Recently created by the melting of the Glacier d'Arsine, the Lac du Glacier d'Arsine is a must-see. The glacier's cliff face, which plunges directly into the lake, lends the area a typical high-mountain atmosphere, while remaining easily accessible to hikers.

Overnight stay possible at the Alpe or Chamoissière refuge.

Departure point : Col du Lautaret (panoramic aerial trail) or Arsine hamlet, Villar d'Arène

Duration : 6h

Difference in altitude : 450 m /800 m

Round trip distance: 19 km

Level : medium (long)

Maps: IGN Top 25 3436 ET Meije Pelvoux

Route details

3 - Valfourche or the sources of the Romanche

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A bucolic stroll

A pleasant family hike, immersing you in the high mountains around the Reine Meije.

At the foot of the Ecrins' highest peaks, this bucolic trail gradually plunges into an Alpine atmosphere. This atmosphere can be experienced all the way along the Romanche to its source. From here, a panoramic view reveals itself, allowing you to relax at the gateway to the remarkable Plate des Agneaux glacier.

Start: Arsine, Villar d'Arène

Ascent: 480 m

Duration: 5h00

Round trip distance: 15 km

Level: medium (long if you go all the way to the springs)

Maps: 3436 ET Meije Pelvoux

Route details

The itineraries complement each other perfectly, and you can do both with a night's sleep in a refuge.

You can, of course, take shorter walks, for example stopping anywhere in the bucolic valley below the Col d'Arsine and stopping at the Valfourche bridge, rather than continuing towards the sources of the Romanche.