What you will experience

Cross the Plateau d'Emparis at over 2,200 m, a vast high-altitude plateau facing the Meije and the glaciers of the Oisans.

Discover the petrifying fountain of Les Clots and observe firsthand the formation of the travertine deposits and the flow of mountain water.

Spend 3 nights bivouacking completely self-sufficient in an area of still-active pastoral land, amid summer pastures, transhumance trails and vast Alpine open spaces.

Climb the Pic du Mas de la Grave to over 3,000 m, with an open panorama over the passes and summits of the Northern Alps.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·150m
  descent
- D+·700m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·8kmkm
  KM covered
Departure from the village of Le Freney d'Oisans: we pack our bags, divide up our food and equipment and plan our route for four days of self-sufficiency towards the Plateau d'Emparis. The ascent is on mountain paths alternating between alpine pastures and stony sections, with regular views of the Oisans peaks and summits. This first stage is designed to set the pace for the group, with alternating walks and technical breaks, helping each other with the portages and adjusting the pace to suit the group. At the end of the day, we set up camp on the plateau. Dinner at sunset and a debrief of this first day - an ideal introduction to gently get to grips with the joys of touring.

2
DAY2/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·100m
  descent
- D+·950m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·8kmkm
  KM covered
We wake up in the tent in the early hours of the morning, pack up and take the track towards the petrifying fountain of Les Clots, a clearly visible resurgence of water from the Plateau d'Emparis. The terrain here combines calcified deposits and surface streams; we cross, observing the travertines and micro-reliefs that explain the formation. On site, the guide gives a mini-course in geology to help us understand the circulation of water and the origin of the deposits, with observations and practical discussions. We then continue towards the heart of the Plateau d'Emparis, progressing on a high plateau and easy scree sections. At the camp, facing the Meije (3,984 m), we set up the bivouac for the second night, share tasks, have a weather briefing and prepare the collective meal, before a well-deserved night's rest.
3
DAY3/ 4
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·400m
  descent
- D+·1000m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·13km
  KM covered
Depart early in the morning from the plateau towards the Pic du Mas de la Grave (over 3000 m), progressing along a ridge path alternating between traverses and alpine slopes that require regular walking. At the summit, the atmosphere is magical: take in precise panoramic views over a large part of the Northern Alps and identify the passes and slopes that will mark out the rest of the trek. We'll spend a 3rd night cut off from the world, in the heart of still very wild nature.
4
DAY4/ 4
- D-·1000m
  descent
- D+·150m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
Leaving the Plateau d'Emparis (at over 2200 m), the route gradually descends towards the valley, following the torrent of the Gâ. The route crosses high altitude meadows and alpine steppe, revealing the geology of the plateau and the traces of local pastoralism. In the field, you'll see mountain pastures, fences and transhumance paths, and the guides will explain how transhumance was organised and the role of mountain pasture land. You then reach the bottom of the valley and the village of La Grave, arriving with a view over the Plateau and the Meije - the ideal spot to say goodbye and enjoy one last magnificent view of the Meije.

The rest is for members

Join the community to read the day-by-day detail, talk to the guides and hear about new dates first.

Join +19,600 adventurers already signed up.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Cyril

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Hi, I'm Cyril, a hiking/trekking guide and specialist in bivouac tours, whether in winter or summer. Based between Savoie and Isère, I'd be delighted to guide you in my favourite massifs (Beaufortain, Belledonne, Chartreuse, Écrins, Vercors...). I'm also a great fan of the polar countries, having guided in Norway and Sweden for many years. See you soon in the mountains!

Find out more about Cyril

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be accompanied by an experienced mountain guide who knows the terrain inside out.

Accommodation: You'll sleep in 2-person tents provided by us - a chance to discover the joys of bivouac nights!

Meals: All meals are included, from lunch on the first day to a picnic on the last. Fresh, local produce, meals adapted to the effort involved, and gourmet breaks to replenish your strength.

Cooking equipment: All cooking equipment (stove and cooking utensils) is included.

Not included

Transport to and from the meeting point.

Sleeping bag (comfort 10 degrees), sleeping bag sheet and trekking rucksack (+/- 50L)

Everything that is not included in "what is included".

What level should you expect

Level 3

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This hike is for people used to walking for several hours in the mountains, ready for a self-sufficient touring experience with load-carrying, nights in tents and changing alpine conditions.

You're at the right level if:

You can walk 5 to 7 h per day, with one harder day at altitude
You're used to multi-day hikes with steady, sustained effort
You can operate above 3,000 m altitude
You're comfortable with significant elevation gain on mountain trails
You're comfortable on varied terrain: high-altitude trails, scree and mineral sections, with no technical climbing
You can carry a heavy pack with your personal gear and part of the collective equipment
You're ready to spend 3 nights in tents in full self-sufficiency
You're willing to share the portage of food and shared equipment
You're ready for a collective experience, taking part in bivouac life and group organisation

Getting there

Start · 10h15

In front of Grenoble bus station (departure by bus)

End · 18h00

Grenoble bus station (return by bus)

Transport

By train

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

From your departure station, you can reach the Oisans via Grenoble:

Departure station > Grenoble
Grenoble > Le Freney-d'Oisans (bus line T55)

You arrive at Le Freney-d'Oisans, in the heart of the Écrins massif.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

A car park is available close to the starting point of the expedition.

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

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

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.

3

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

Is there a precise list of equipment to take with you to avoid forgetting anything?

Once you have registered, you will receive a full list of the equipment you need to bring. You'll also have the opportunity to speak to the guide well before departure to ask any questions you may have and have plenty of time to prepare.

What will we eat on this trip?

The guide to your stay has planned meals based on fresh, local produce, highlighting the flavours of the local terroir. Designed to combine authenticity and balance, they offer the ideal moment of conviviality for this bivouac trek.

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!

Is it possible to sleep alone in a tent?

The tents are designed for two people, so they take up a lot of space and weight when carried alone. For greater comfort during the trek, we recommend that you share the tent with other participants to spread the load.

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.

Discover other adventures

You might also be interested in these adventures

Trek and wild camp in the Hautes-Alpes

What you will experience

Itinerary