Hiking Tour in the Ecrins National Park

June to September

4 days| 3 nights

Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Take on the Tour des Écrins, a wild, self-propelled trek through the heart of one of France's largest Alpine massifs, crossing glaciers, secret valleys and high-altitude villages.

Cross the Plateau d'Emparis, France's highest alpine pasture plateau, amid whistling marmots and head-on views of the Meije glaciers.

Walk the balcony trail above the Combe de Malaval, with a 1,000 m drop beneath your feet and birds of prey soaring overhead.

Reach the Arsine lakes (2,546 m), with their milky turquoise waters nestled at the foot of a glacial cirque dominated by the Agneaux.

Spend the night facing the Meije glaciers, on a terrace suspended above the valley, drink in hand as the sun sets.

Pass through the hamlet of Le Chazelet and discover its unique Alpine architecture.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 4
- Accommodation·Mountain hut
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·0m
  descent
- D+·460m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·4km
  KM covered
We meet at 10am for a friendly welcome drink, followed by a briefing on the adventure ahead and a gear check.

This first stage, ideal for getting into the swing of things, begins on an exposed path overlooking the lake. Gradually, we join the GR54C through vegetation that is surprisingly southern for the altitude on this sun-drenched slope. The path continues along a balcony to the charming Lac du Lovitel, the first lookout point for the high peaks of the Oisans region.

A final climb takes us to the Mountain hut des Clots, where Didier will welcome us. In this authentic mountain atmosphere, we enjoy a well-deserved rest. Nearby, the stream and its small pools invite you to refresh your feet, while the hammock and the last rays of the sun offer a perfect moment of relaxation before dinner.

2
DAY2/ 4
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·1050m
  descent
- D+·1040m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·13km
  KM covered
After a hearty breakfast at the Mountain hut, we pick up our picnics before setting off on an exceptional panoramic stage.

The day begins with a steady climb towards the Emparis plateau, the highest alpine plateau in France, listed for the beauty of its scenery. Along the way, we discover the petrifying fountains, then make our way above the spectacular Combe de Malaval, a thousand metres below.

We then reach the Lac Noir, the highest point of the day, where we take a picnic break in front of an imposing panorama of the Meije glaciers and the Grandes Rousses massif. The atmosphere of the plateau, with its vast open spaces and almost steppe-like appearance, gives this traverse a unique character. Marmots and large birds of prey often accompany our progress.

In the afternoon, we start the descent to the hamlet of Le Chazelet, then on to La Grave, passing the chapel of Bon Repos. This is also an opportunity to discover the traditional architecture of these mountain villages.

At the end of the day, we reach the Mountain hut, run by Sergio and Marivy, where a terrace overlooking the glaciers awaits us for a moment of relaxation before dinner.
3
DAY3/ 4
- Accommodation·Mountain hut
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·180m
  descent
- D+·700m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·11km
  KM covered
After breakfast, we pick up our picnics and set off on another undulating balcony stage.

The path takes us first to Le Paquier, below the Tabuchet glacier. Throughout the day, the Meije continues to accompany us, imposing and fascinating, steeped in Alpine history. We then follow a series of ascending and descending traverses to the foot of the Pas d'Anna Falque.

The scenery then gradually changes: we follow the glacial torrent of the Romanche and climb up to the Pas d'Anna Falque, the gateway to the heart of the Ecrins National Park. The mountain fauna is often to be seen: chamois on the slopes, marmots in the mountain pastures.

We finally arrive on the Alpe de Villar-d'Arène plateau, in an imposing setting dominated by the glaciers and peaks of the Oisans. Our Mountain hut, comfortable and full of charm, welcomes us for a restful evening. Depending on the energy of the group, we can extend the optional stage to the sources of the Romanche / Valfourche, to discover a superb glacial cirque.
4
DAY4/ 4
- D-·1050m
  descent
- D+·470m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·13km
  KM covered
For this final day, we set off after breakfast for a magnificent stage of high altitude lakes, glacial cirques and turquoise valleys.

We start with a gradual ascent to Lac de l'Étoile (2230 m), a discreet little jewel with beautiful reflections of Pic Gaspard. From here, depending on the mood and conditions, we can take a variant route to the secret Arsine lake (2546 m), facing the spectacular glacial cirque dominated by the Agneaux summit.

We then continue on to the not-to-be-missed Arsine lakes, with their milky waters and turquoise hues, in a setting of outstanding mineral beauty. Depending on the pace of the group, picnics can be taken by the lakes or a little further down towards the small turquoise lakes in the valley.

Then it's time to start the long descent to Le Casset, following the Petit Tabuc stream. The path passes Lac de la Douche, the edge of the Casset glacier and a superb larch forest, making for a wild and soothing end to the itinerary.

On arrival at the hamlet of Le Casset, we close this adventure with a little farewell drink, to share our memories of these four days in the heart of the Écrins.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Patrick

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Passionate about mountains and trail running, I’ve made the trails my playground. I’ll take you on a different kind of mountain adventure one that blends effort, enjoyment, and full immersion in nature. No race against time, just the right pace to progress with confidence.

Trained as a Mountain guide and in alpine safety, I share my expertise to help you tackle climbs, descents, and endurance at altitude. Ready to hit the trails together?

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 comfortable mountain huts, in shared rooms (dormitories).

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

Not included

Transport to and from the meeting point.

Picnic lunch on Day 1.

Any personal consumption.

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You hike 5 to 7 h per day with days up to 1,040 m ascent on mountain trails and exposed balcony traverses.
You handle stages of 11–13 km with sustained descents and occasionally rocky terrain.
You sleep in dorms and mountain guesthouses, not fully autonomous but in an isolated alpine setting.
You are comfortable on steep sections and river crossings without needing technical gear.
You carry a pack with personal gear and picnic meals, weight moderate to steady.
You seek panoramic alpine immersion near glaciers without extreme technical commitment.

Getting there

Start · 10h00

Casset

End · 17h00

Casset

Transport

By train

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally. You can reach Guillestre by train and bus:

Departure station > Paris Gare de Lyon
Paris Gare de Lyon > Grenoble or Briançon
Then either bus to Le Monêtier-les-Bains, or taxi from Briançon (~20 min)

You arrive at Le Monêtier-les-Bains, the expedition's meeting point.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive straight to the village of Le Casset, in Le Monêtier-les-Bains. There is a car park on site where you can leave your vehicle 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 83 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

Will I have to carry a rucksack on the various hikes?

Yes, we don't plan to carry any vehicles, so you'll have to carry your rucksack as we'll be sleeping in different accommodation every night. However, the Mountain huts will provide blankets and pillows, and you'll be able to use the accommodation's kitchen every night. So you won't have to carry any food or sleeping equipment, with the exception of a meat bag.

How comfortable are the rooms?

The gîtes offer a certain level of comfort: you will sleep in a single bed in a room shared with the other participants. Blankets and pillows are provided, but it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag for reasons of hygiene.

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 brea 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.

25% 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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