The Ecrins National Park

The Ecrins – a protected area

The Ecrins National Park, founded in 1973, stretches between La Grave and Villar d’Arène, Oisans and Mônetier-les-Bains in the north, Vallouise – Pelvoux – Ailefroide in the east, Valjouffrey and Valbonnais in the west and Champsaur – Valgaudemar in the south, including both the Hautes-Alpes and the Isère departments. Several valleys converge on a core of glaciers and high mountains, of which the Barre des Ecrins at 4102 m is the highest point.

A set of rules limit human activities in the core area of the National Park, in order to protect the natural riches and the special landscapes of this exceptional territory.

Hiking in the Ecrins national Park

Even if the Ecrins is above all a high-altitude area, ramblers have ample opportunity to approach the Alpine peaks and enjoy idyllic valleys as well as spectacular mountain passes.

On our side the Ecrins, the hiking trails leading into the heart of the National Park start from the Lautaret pass on the Sentier des Crevasses or from Arsine – Pied du col on the GR 54.

Towards the source of the Romanche River and the higher mountain huts

When starting from Arsine, after the first steep climb, you will reach a peaceful hanging valley where a turquoise mountain stream meanders through a flowery meadow, marmots lounge in the sun and snowy peaks add the finishing touch. The path continues along a stream that quickens its pace long before you reach Valfourche were the valley splits in two.

There, you have to choose between the moraine that leads to the Pavé Lake and mountain hut and the trail going towards the source of the river. This second path then continues on to the Adele Planchard hut, past several narrow shelves in the cliff with handrails. These high-altitude huts at the foot of the glaciers are accessible to experienced hikers. Above and beyond, ropes and crampons take over.

Hike to the source of the Romanche River          Pavé Lake          Adèle Planchard

The Arsine Mountain Pass and Glacier Lakes

Whether you start from the Arsine car park, from Villar d’Arène or from La Grave, you can head towards the col d’Arsine on the main GR54 trail. Or you can start from the Lautaret Mountain Pass and follow the scenic and slightly vertiginous Sentier des Crevasses. In either case, after about an hour’s walk, you will pass two welcoming mountain huts at the Alpe de Villar (Refuge de l’Alpe and Refuge de Chamoissière).

Shortly after, the path crosses the Park boundary, marked by painted flags, and keeps going through mellow alpine meadows with a view of tantalizing peaks. A short climb later, the Arsine mountain pass leaves you the choice of a picturesque descent towards le Casset and the Guisane valley or further exploring the impressing moraines left by the glaciers and the Arsine glacier lake of Arsine hidden behind them.

Hike towards the Arsine mountain pass and glacier lakes         The Arsine lakes by the Sentier des Crevasses          The Alpine pastures of Villar d'Arène

Overnight hiking tours

Reaching the high summits of the Ecrins

Do you fancy discovering the unique universe of the high Alpine peaks?  To reach the top, you need to be an alpinist, or mountaineer. If you aren't, you can learn with an alpine guide! The guides of La Grave have a great number of Alpine climbs on their program, from beginner to expert level. You can go for a day or several days, with overnight stays in mountain huts.

Alpinism in the Ecrins

Find out more about the Ecrins National Park

Would you like to know more about the natural wonders and the work of the Ecrins National Park ?

Visit the website of the National Park

Specific rules for the National Park

The boundaries of the National Park are indicated by blue-white-red flags painted on stones. The rules are as follows:

  • No dogs, even on a lead
  • No picking or samples
  • No hunting
  • No litter
  • No campfires and no noise
  • No camping. Bivouac is authorized from 7 pm to 9 am at min. 1 h walk from roads and park boundaries
  • No vehicles, mountain bikes or motorized flight. Specific rules for non-motorized flight
  • Do not cut the turns on the trails, to avoid soil erosion

 


Discover the flowers and the wildlife of the Ecrins National Park

The Ecrins National Park helps to protect 2500 plant species including 216 that are rare or threatened, 75 species of mammals and 233 species of birds plus many insects including a great number of butterflies.

Atlas of the species of the National Park

 

 

  

 

 


     

 


The National Park Visitor Centre at the Lautaret

 

The National Park Visitor Centre at the Lautaret Mountain Pass is open from mid-June to mid-September, every day from 10 am to 6 pm. You will find exhibitions, film projections, taxidermied wild animals, books and brochures about the National Park.

The National Park Visitor Centre