Hiking and bivouac around the Aiguilles d'Arves

June to September

4 days| 3 nights

Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Hike around the Aiguilles d'Arves, 4 days of wild roaming between high passes, isolated valleys and lively mountain pastures.

Walk on a balcony facing the Meije and its glaciers to the Signal de La Grave (2446 m), before bivouacking on the shores of the turquoise-lit Lac du Goléon.

Every evening, set up your bivouac in isolated spots, a high altitude lake, a wild valley, Rieu Blanc and share a dinner facing the Aiguilles d'Arves.

Finish with a gentle descent into the Martignare valley, pausing in some cool natural pools before reaching Le Chazelet.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·300m
  descent
- D+·300m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·10km
  KM covered
We meet at La Grave for a welcome coffee. After a briefing on the adventure and a gear check, we set off.

This first day takes us on a superb south-facing balcony route, with a breathtaking view of the Meije and its glaciers. The gradual ascent to the Signal de La Grave (2446 m) is a gentle one, the perfect warm-up for the start of the adventure.

After a panoramic picnic lunch, we continue with a wild traverse between alpine meadows and scree before tackling the more sustained ascent of Le Cruq. With a bit of luck, vultures and chamois will accompany our progress.

The day ends in style with the descent to the turquoise-hued Lac du Goléon.

We set up our bivouac, spend some free time overlooking the lake, then prepare dinner together.
First night in a tent, in the heart of the mountains.

2
DAY2/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·1200m
  descent
- D+·900m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·15km
  KM covered
We wake up early to make the most of the day. After a good breakfast, we dismantle the camp and head for the Col du Goléon (2873 m).

The climb is more sustained and the atmosphere becomes more alpine: discreet path, wild terrain, magnificent panoramas over the Maurian valley and the Meije massif.

After a well-earned break at the col, we begin a long descent through vast pastures to Bonnenuit (1695m). Here, we enjoy a peaceful picnic on the banks of the Lauzette stream.

The afternoon continues with a gradual ascent towards the Aiguilles valley, past traditional hamlets and summer herds, with the Aiguilles d'Arves in the background.

Set up camp, share dinner and spend the night in a tent.
3
DAY3/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·800m
  descent
- D+·950m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·10km
  KM covered
Another day at altitude. After the morning ritual, we set off in the direction of the Col de l'Épaisseur (2891 m), under the impressive gaze of the Aiguilles d'Arves.

The terrain becomes more technical and rugged, with a sometimes faint trail and a mineral atmosphere. At the pass, the more motivated can extend their adventure with a climb to a summit at over 3,000m: the Pointe de la Pierre Fendue (3,037m).

After a picnic lunch, we continue on a varied traverse of scree, rocky outcrops and alpine meadows to the Col du Gerbier.

The final descent takes us to our evening camp at Rieu Blanc, a secluded spot facing the Aiguilles d'Arves.

We set up camp, enjoy a convivial dinner and spend our last night in the great outdoors.
4
DAY4/ 4
- D-·1260m
  descent
- D+·800m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·13km
  KM covered
On this final day, we embark on a beautiful traverse of the Martignare valley. The atmosphere is gentler, with alpine meadows and quiet paths, and the magical view of the Meije.

Along the way, a number of natural pools offer a well-deserved refreshing break.

After a final picnic in the mountains, we continue our descent to the hamlet of Le Chazelet.

The adventure comes to an end with a drink to share our memories and bring these 4 days of immersion in the heart of nature to a close.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Patrick

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

As a lover of the great outdoors, I was fortunate enough to pursue my passions for nature and sport from a very young age. After a spell with the 159th RIA Ski Scouts in 1988, I found myself working professionally from the age of 23. The foundation of this career path has always been clear: enjoyment, and the desire to share and pass on my knowledge. I love guiding and helping people to become self-reliant on treks, snowshoe walks, trail runs or fast hikes from my ‘base camp’ in La Grave.

Find out more about Patrick

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be guided by an experienced mountain guide.

Accommodation: You will sleep every night in bivouacs in wild and isolated places, carefully chosen by your guide.

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on day 1 to the picnic on the last day.

Bivouac equipment: We will provide you with a ground mattress, a salewa sleeping bag, tents (salewa ultra ligth 3 seasons) as well as cooking utensils, stoves and a water bag (10L) for the bivouac.

Hiking poles can be loaned on request.

Safety equipment: appropriate first-aid kit with emergency medicines, radio linked to mountain rescue networks, ice axe, rope, map, compass, GPS, survival blanket, tarpaulin in case of bad weather).

Not included

Transport to and from the meeting point.

Picnic lunch on Day 1.

Any personal consumption.

Everything not included in the price.

What level to expect?

Level 3

Participants must be at least 18 years old

You are capable of hiking for about 10 hours a day, covering up to 1,200 meters of elevation gain and a distance of 15 km.
You will encounter exposed sections on Days 2 and 3 while crossing very alpine mountain passes.
Overnight stays in tents at campsites, with everyone pitching in to set up camp and prepare meals.
You will carry your own pack daily, containing your personal gear and a share of the group’s equipment (full self-sufficiency).
You will traverse scree slopes and boulder fields, with the possibility of crossing snowfields in June and early July (depending on weather conditions).

Take the level quiz

Getting there

Start · 07h30

Hotel Castillan, La Grave

End · 16h00

Hotel Castillan, La Grave

Transport

By train

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally. Here's the route to reach La Grave:

Departure station > Lyon Part Dieu
Lyon Part Dieu > Grenoble station (1h24)
Grenoble station > La Grave Tourist Office stop (bus 55, 1h40)

You arrive at the La Grave Tourist Office bus stop, the expedition's meeting point.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive directly to La Grave, where there is a car park where you can leave your car for the duration of your stay.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 90 reviews in this category

Denise H.

Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci

Marie F.

Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !

Christophe R.

Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.

Laetitia L.

Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.

Serge D.

Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

What will we eat during our stay?

The guide for your trip has planned a mix of freeze-dried meals and meals based on fresh, local produce, with the inclusion of one piece of fresh fruit and one raw vegetable per person per day.

How heavy are the tents you supply?

To guarantee your comfort, we've included high-quality bivouac equipment with salewa ultra ligth 3-season tents weighing less than 1kg.

Is it possible to sleep alone in the tent?

It is possible to sleep alone in a tent, but this represents a constraint in terms of weight and bulk to carry alone. For greater comfort during the trek, we recommend that you share the tent with other participants to spread the load.

Will we have access to showers?

No, on this trip we'll be sleeping in bivouacs in the heart of unspoilt nature: welcome to the adventure!

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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