The upper Romanche valley offers a wealth of beautiful natural sites. The north facing side of the valley is rugged and wild with glaciers and summits of close to 4000 m (13120 feet). On the sunny side, green terraced fields, charming hamlets, alpine lakes and meadows brimful of alpine flowers dominate the picture.
Ramblers are spoilt for choice. There is the softly curved grassy Emparis plateau that forms a stunning contrast to the wild and spectacular frozen realm of the north faces. The blue mirror of the Noir and Lérié Lakes reflect the splendor of the Meije massif. Above the picturesque village of Valfroide lies the scenic Goleon Lake where la Meije attracts all the attention while the Goleon peak reigns at the back of the valley. The Emparis and Goleon areas are part of the N2000 European network which aims to protect rare and threatened species.
Behind the green Aiguillon ridge, mellow meadows stretch towards the Pontet Lake and the Lautaret pass with the twin peaks of the Agneaux in the distance and a wonderful view of the valley. Beyond, the Ecrins National Park have a number of gems in store.
8 fiches
Emparis plateau lakes
Le Chazelet
Emparis plateau lakes
Lerie lake and Black lake, nestled on the plateau from Emparis are just magnificent viewpoints to the edges of the North face from La Meije and 'Le Rateau' pic 3809 m, 2 famous peaks of the...
Natura 2000 - Haute Romanche
La Grave
Natura 2000 - Haute Romanche
The world's largest network of biodiversity conservation.
Natura 2000 is born from the desire to maintain this biodiversity while taking into account, social, economic, cultural and...
Pontet lake
Villar d'Arène
Pontet lake
Beautiful lake above the hamlet of Les Cours, near Villar d'Arêne.
You can get closer by car, but the walk starting from Les Cours hamlet, across the fields by the small road, is very...
Goléon lake
Le Goléon
Goléon lake
From Goleon Lake, you'll have breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers of La Meije and the Aiguilles d'Arves mountains and Aiguilles de la Saussaz.
Distinctive unusual...
Lautaret pass - Natural Reserve of Combeynot
Villar d'Arène
Lautaret pass - Natural Reserve of Combeynot
The Lautaret pass is the crossing point between the Romanche Valley and the Guisane Valley. It is also one of the lowest points on the ridge line separating the Northern Alps and the...
Puy Vachier Lake
La Grave-Lac du Puy Vachier
Puy Vachier Lake
Puy Vachier Lake is at the bottom of a valley surrounded by rocky bar in a rather mineral world, close to the second intermediate of the cable car station; about 1 hour walk.
There is a...
Ecrins National Park
Covering an area of 91,800 hectares in the central zone, the Ecrins National Park, straddling the Isère and Hautes-Alpes department, covers a mountainous surface ranging from 800 to 4,102...
