The Écrins complete tour on GR54 trail

Duration : 8 days

France, Northern Alps, Southern Alps

Level : from intermediate to difficult

from 1172 € / p. from 4 to 8 persons

Description

I propose you to follow me on the complete tour of the Ecrins by the GR54 trail, a 8-day hike starting from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar. This magnificent route invites walkers to discover the Écrins National Park and contemplate the high peaks of the Southern Alps.

A 193-kilometer sporting challenge, with 14 passes and almost 12000 meters of ascent, the GR54 invites you to rub shoulders with the highest peaks of the Écrins. It's one of the most important long-distance hiking trails in the French Alps, offering a rich experience of emotions and discoveries, through a wide variety of emblematic landscapes and encounters with the National Park's biodiversity.

If you like multi-day treks, I also offer:

Program

D1: La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar - Désert en Valjouffrey.
A gentle start from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, along the river, to discover the last hamlets of the upper Séveraisse valley. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the cirques in the mountains of Reunion Island, but it's the wild, rugged Valgaudemar that really comes into view. The climb soon takes you over the Villar torrent to the mountain pastures overlooked by the Pic des Souffles. We then stop at the foot of an impressive glacial cirque, the foothills of l'Olan, at an altitude of 2,000 meters. We then cross the torrent de la Muande and the Péou de la Muande ravine. The trail makes a long traverse under the Orgières and winds up to a suspended plateau. We cross the meadow on wide switchbacks and then over scree to reach the Col de la Vaurze (2490m). From here we descend to reach the Bonne bridge and enter the hamlet of Le Désert en Valjouffrey (1260m).
Lodging at the Arias inn.
9-hour walk, positive altitude difference: 1600 meters, negative altitude difference: 1450 meters, distance: 21km.

D2: Le Désert en Valjouffrey - Valsenestre via the Côte Belle pass.
After the mineral world of the Col de la Vaurze, it's time for alpine meadows, the kingdom of asphodels and marmots. Côte Belle, the pass of the day, lives up to its name: it appears green as soon as you leave the hamlet of Désert, and is adorned with unmistakable geological organs. An enchanting stopover at the Béranger refuge in Valsenestre will provide the necessary comfort before the next day's stage.
5-hour walk, D+: 1020m, D-: 1000m, distance: 11.5km.

D3: Valsenestre - Lac de la Muzelle - Venosc and transfer to Besse.
Today we cross the mythical Col de la Muzelle! The climb through the alpine pastures at the foot of the giants (Roche de la Muzelle, Pic du Clapier du Peyron) already sets the tone: today, it's going to be uphill! No fewer than 50 twists and turns, cut into the schist and regularly maintained, lead to the ultimate goal of this great adventure. A pure mountain moment that leads to a haven of peace a little further down: the shores of Muzelle lake, before descending to Venosc for a shuttle transfer to Besse.
Lodging at the Auberge du Savel.
8-hour walk, D+: 1400m, D-: 1750m, distance: 14km.

D4: Besse - Villar-d'Arêne.
Another incredible day, more for the panorama with the Meije in the background than for the technical difficulty. The morning is devoted to the pastures of the Emparis plateau, before heading off to the picturesque hamlets of Le Chazelet and Les Terrasses. The afternoon is spent in the mountain pastures of Villar-d'Arêne, a paradise for marmots and chamois, at the foot of the Grande Ruine and the Agneaux summit.
Lodging at the Mélèzes hostel.
8.5-hour walk, D+: 1400m, D-: 1320m, distance: 20km.

D5: Villard-d'Arêne - Le Monêtier-les-Bains.
A short but exciting day, starting below the Agneaux summit. From the Col d'Arsine, it would be a shame not to reach the glacial lake, hidden just a few steps away. In the Guisane valley, all the different levels of vegetation come into view over almost 1,000 meters of vertical drop. The torrent reveals its enchanting colors.
Lodging at the Flourou inn.
8-hour walk, D+: 760m, D-: 940m, distance: 19.5km.

D6: Le Monêtier-les-Bains - Vallouise via Col de l'Eychauda.
Today we make a short intrusion into the Guisane valley, and already the peaks are beaming in from all sides. The climb is gentle and shady, leading to the alpine pasture occupied by the Monêtier ski lifts. It's not until you reach the Col de l'Eychauda that you can leave the mountain behind and appreciate the breathtaking views over the Chambran valley. A bucolic bivouac stop invites us to take a stroll, but the road is long and Vallouise below is full of treasures.
Lodging at Blanche inn.
7-hour walk, D+: 980m, D-: 1300m, distance: 20.6km.

D7: Vallouise - Pré de la Chaumette via Col de l'Aup Martin.
This day is the main stage of the GR 54, with the high point of the circuit: the dreaded Col de l'Aup Martin and the descent to Upper Champoléon.
We leave the gentle Vallouise along the torrent de l'Onde, which follows an unspoilt valley into the mountain pastures where the torrents meet: Entre-les-Aygues (between the waters). As the climb progresses, the landscape becomes more austere. The shale-black col de l'Aup Martin stands like an impassable barrier. Finally, the steep descent to Pré de la Chaumette must be approached with caution, making this stage one of the highlights of this adventure around the Écrins.
Lodging at the Pré la Chaumette refuge.
9-hour walk, D+: 1600m, D-: 1000m, distance: 24km.

D8: Pré de la Chaumette - Vallonpierre lake - La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar.
Under the watchful eye of the Sirac, this is the last stage through the mountain pastures before reaching the upper Séveraisse valley and its string of waterfalls.
The three passes of Vallette, Gouiran and Vallonpierre take you from Champsaur to Valgaudemar, with a well-deserved stopover at Vallonpierre lake.
After a last look at the stone giant, Sirac, and its reflection in the Vallonpierre lake, it's off for the long descent to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar. As you lose altitude, the atmosphere changes: the harshness and austerity of the passes are replaced by colors, flowers, streams and flocks of sheep.
9-hour walk, D+: 1170m, D-: 1880m, distance: 22km.

The price includes

Supervision by the mountain leader.
Half-board accommodation in the refuges.
Picnic lunches.

The price does not include

Return transport to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, one hour drive from Gap and 2 hours from Grenoble.
Snacks.
All drinks.
Anything not mentioned in "Price includes".

Accommodation

Mountain huts and lodges.
In dormitories.

Next departures :

Sept. 7, 2025 To be confirmed