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.

Cross the petrifying fountain of Les Clots, observe the resurgence of the Plateau d'Emparis and feel the wet stone.

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. In the field, we learn practical skills - distributing food, map/compass reading, setting up camp and managing water and energy. At the end of the day, we set up camp on the plateau; the atmosphere is collective and educational, we debrief the next day's route and practise safety techniques on our own. The aim of this day is to acclimatise you and give you the practical workshops you need to tackle the crossings of the plateau and the route variations with confidence.

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, keeping a logical approach to the views. 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. The aim of this day is to combine knowledge of the terrain with practical experience on the plateau, with accessible progress, a clear group dynamic and guiding focused on safety and learning.
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. We climb at a moderate pace, guided by the guide, with planned breaks to manage effort, hydration and acclimatisation. At the summit, you can take in the 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. The day includes practical micro-sessions: map reading, route choice on high altitude terrain and ridge climbing techniques. The descent takes us back to the plateau at the end of the afternoon, a collective time to recuperate and share what we've learnt; this day is all about making the summit the concrete landmark of our route.
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. The route alternates between crossing the plateau and descending into the combe, with educational breaks to identify the fodder flora and understand animal husbandry practices. You then reach the bottom of the valley and the village of La Grave, where you can enjoy views of the plateau and the Meije. Evening at La Grave for a collective debriefing on the field, pastoral lessons and possible itineraries to extend the discovery.

3 more days to discover

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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 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

You hike 5 to 7 h per day with one harder day to reach over 3000 m.
You spend 3 nights in tents in full self‑sufficiency, sharing food and some group gear.
You carry a heavy pack with personal gear and part of the collective equipment.
You travel on high‑altitude trails and rocky ground with significant elevation gain but no technical climbing.
You are comfortable in remote mountain terrain and changing alpine weather.

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 70 reviews in this category

Femke D.

Une belle randonnée dans les Écrins pour ceux qui souhaitent s'initier à la randonnée en montagne et au bivouac, dans le confort et en toute sérénité. Le guide nous a préparé de bons petits plats et nous a donné des informations intéressantes sur la région.

Robin D.

Excellente organisation ! Thomas est un très chouette guide (accompagnateur), et 3 journées magnifiques!

Elora G.

Super, un séjour au top !

Emilie B.

Une super aventure pour découvrir le bivouac dans des spots magnifiques !

Nathalie M.

Randonnée de 3 jours dans les Vosges, avec nuit étoilée. Superbe expérience grâce à notre guide, Joseph, sa soif de connaissances, sa bonne humeur , son accordéon et son aptitude à s'adapter au groupe. Mille mercis à lui

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 soil. 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.

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What you will experience

Itinerary