Écrins National Park Traverse in 5 Days
Welcome to the Écrins National Park, often called the "French Himalaya" for its dramatic peaks, vast glaciers, and untouched wilderness. This 5-day traverse takes you through the heart of one of France's wildest protected areas—from the Champoléon valley to the Valgaudemar—staying in authentic mountain refuges.
Unlike the crowded trails of the Mont Blanc region, the Écrins offers solitude and pristine nature. You'll encounter more chamois and marmots than other hikers, with glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and 4,000m peaks as your constant companions.
With our local Altimood guides, specialists in the wild and cultural heritage of the Alps, this trek becomes an interactive journey into the mysteries of fauna, flora, and geology.
Highlights
- Authentic wilderness: One of France's least-visited national parks with genuine mountain solitude
- Spectacular refuges: Traditional mountain huts with hearty cuisine and stunning viewpoints
- Rich wildlife: Chamois, ibex, marmots, golden eagles, and bearded vultures
- Train accessible: Start and end points reachable from Gap or Grenoble stations
- Lightened packs: Luggage transfer mid-trek so you can hike with lighter shoulders
Effort level
The Écrins rivals the GR20 in intensity: mineral trails and significant elevation gains offer an authentically alpine experience. However, this itinerary is designed to remain accessible, with progressive stages at intermediate level (3-4/5).
Daily stages average 5-6 hours with elevation gains of 800-1,200m. Good physical condition required—regular exercise (at least once a week) is recommended. No climbing experience needed.
The most motivated hikers can tackle additional challenges with alpine variants to cols and summits, offered as extras.
More about hiking difficulty levels
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5 Days of Trekking Across the Écrins
Day 1 – Welcome to the Heart of Écrins National Park
For those travelling by train, both Gap (night train from Paris) and Grenoble (TGV) provide access. From these stations, you can reach Saint-Firmin by local bus. Those arriving in the morning can enjoy a visit to the castle ruins, a Dauphiné vestige, or the historic spinning mill, witness to the valley's industrial heritage.
Meeting point at 1:30 PM in the village square—also the trek's finish point. Once the group is assembled, a private taxi transfer takes us to the true starting point: the Champoléon valley, about an hour away.
From the taxi, the alpine atmosphere of the Écrins imposes itself with high peaks soaring skyward. This first stage follows the Drac Blanc, a tumultuous stream flowing between the crystalline rocks of the Écrins. It concludes at the Pré de la Chaumette refuge, at the valley's end, at the source of the Drac Blanc.
- Distance: 8 km
- Elevation: +500m
Day 2 – Col de la Valette, Gouiran, and Vallonpierre
Three cols punctuate this day: Col de la Valette, Col de Gouiran, and Col de Vallonpierre. The trail climbs quickly through alpine meadows before reaching carefully maintained switchbacks in the black schist leading to the final col.
From above, the Sirac reveals itself, majestic, with its silhouette evoking the Matterhorn—bringing a touch of Switzerland to the heart of the Southern Alps. An optional ascent of Pic de Vallonpierre is offered before descending to the Vallonpierre lake and refuge, passing the glacier of the same name.
- Distance: 11 km
- Elevation: +1,100m / -650m
Day 3 – Chabournéou, Tirière, and Gioberney
Also 11km with numerous panoramas along the 3 balcony trail passages of the day. This third day concludes at an oasis of freshness—the Gioberney refuge—beneath the famous Voile de la Mariée (Bridal Veil) waterfall.
Optional: visit the Lac Lauzon and Lac Bleu, or enjoy an ice cream on the refuge terrace—accessible by road.
Road access means significant crowds, but by late afternoon calm returns to this majestic cirque. Your transferred luggage awaits—time to change your socks!
- Distance: 15 km
- Elevation: +550m / -1,150m
Day 4 – Steep and Wild in the "Himalaya"
If you still had doubts about entering the "Petit Himalaya français," this stage will change your mind. Direction: the incredible Olan Refuge, with a climb of 1,200m positive elevation over 5km through high-mountain scenery.
For those counting in Eiffel Towers, that's 4 Eiffel Towers to climb—quite a number of natural steps punctuated by cascades flowing abundantly through this hanging valley. The stage concludes with pleasure at the Olan Refuge, certainly the most peaceful in the valley.
- Distance: 15 km
- Elevation: +1,250m / -600m
Day 5 – Col des Colombes and Lac Lautier
This final day begins in the mineral beauty of the Écrins with the incredible Pas de l'Olan, from which you can see 1,700m of elevation drop to the valley floor where we passed the day before. It continues via Col des Colombes and the peaceful Lac Lautier.
Final descent to reach the heights above the wolf pack—or more simply, Villar-Loubière, the village marking the end of this traverse. A shuttle returns us to the starting point—Saint-Firmin.
- Distance: 15 km
- Elevation: +500m / -1,800m
The program may be adjusted at any time by the guide based on weather conditions, participants' physical and technical abilities, accommodation availability, or any unforeseen circumstances.
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Price
- 685€ per person
Trek confirmed from 4 participants.
Price Includes
- Professional state-certified mountain guide
- Picnic lunches (x4) from organic, local, and seasonal products
- Half-board (dinner, night, breakfast) in refuges (staffed or unstaffed depending on booking period, x4)
- Loan of sleeping bag liner (for refuge nights), hiking poles, and hiking backpack if needed
- Transfers included in the program
Price does not include your mandatory trek insurance, shower tokens sometimes required at refuges (€2-4), and anything not mentioned in "price includes."
Practical Information
Meeting Point / End Point
Day 1, meeting at 1:30 PM in the square of Saint-Firmin village. Day 5, the trek ends at the same point.
It's possible to reach this meeting point by public transport, arriving from Gap station (night train from Paris) or Grenoble station (TGV line) and connecting with local bus services. We can provide precise information if needed.
See also: How to reach the Champsaur-Valgaudemar from Paris?
Carpooling will also be offered to participants with a WhatsApp group created before the trip. Please indicate at booking if you're interested in carpooling.
Arriving the Day Before / Leaving the Day After
If you wish to arrive the day before or leave the day after, numerous accommodations in the Valgaudemar valley—hotels, Airbnb, or gîtes d'étape—allow you to transform this 5-day trip into a week-long holiday.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in mountain refuges and gîtes d'étape. This choice, despite less comfort than hotels, allows you to stay at the heart of the mountains.
A refuge is rustic accommodation not connected to networks (road, electricity, water) with:
- Dormitory sleeping (blankets provided)
- Limited electricity (lighting, rarely power outlets)
- Solar shower possible in some refuges or gas shower (token supplement)
- Dry or flush toilets
Requirements
- Valid passport or ID
- European Health Insurance Card or travel health insurance
- Civil liability insurance: each participant must be covered for hiking as a leisure activity
- Assistance/repatriation insurance is mandatory. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Private Booking for This 5-Day Écrins Trek
This trek can be organised from June to September depending on snow conditions.
In spring or autumn, we suggest discovering the wild, rarely-visited valley entrance with a weekend trek in the Écrins.
In winter, join us for snowshoeing trips in the Alps.
Have you already explored the Valgaudemar and Champoléon and are attracted to Oisans, the Bérarde valley, Ailefroide, or Vallouise? Our deep knowledge of the Écrins massif and Southern Alps allows us to propose custom trips 100% tailored to your expectations.
If you've never set foot in the Écrins, the itinerary above offers the wildest circuit of all possible Écrins traverses.
Reviews
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FAQ – 5-Day Écrins Traverse
What gear should I pack for this Écrins traverse?
We recommend a classic refuge-to-refuge kit: sleeping bag liner, warm jacket, cap and sunscreen, hiking poles, 2L water capacity... See the complete packing list for refuge stays.
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