Tour of the Écrins

The Tour des Écrins sweeps around the heart of the Écrins National Park in the French Alps, taking walkers through one of the most uncompromising high-mountain landscapes in Europe — a world of glaciers, rocky cols, hanging valleys, and ancient moraines. Traditional villages such as La Grave, Ailefroide, and Vallouise punctuate the route, offering glimpses of mountain life between long stretches of raw alpine wilderness. Classified as a mixed-type route, the trail incorporates sections that go beyond standard hiking, demanding confidence on steep, exposed, or snow-covered terrain. The ground underfoot shifts constantly between loose scree, polished rock, moraine rubble, and residual snowfields, making sturdy boots with good ankle support non-negotiable. Accommodation and resupply rely heavily on mountain refuges along the way; booking ahead is essential during the peak summer weeks. The window from early July to mid-September offers the most reliable conditions, though late snow can linger on higher passes into July and autumn storms can arrive abruptly after mid-September. Drinking water is generally available from streams fed by snowmelt, but glacially turbid water should be filtered or avoided. Waymarking is adequate on established sections, but some passages across glacial terrain require map-reading skills and a compass — in poor visibility this route will not forgive improvisation.

Distances, elevation and times are approximate; follow waymarks and local conditions on the trail.