The Écrins (Vallouise) in 5 days
The most direct way into the Écrins National Park: the Vallouise valley leads to Ailefroide, a major climbing centre, then to the Glacier Blanc, five kilometres of ice below the Barre des Écrins. Around it are Dormillouse, the last inhabited hamlet in the heart of the park, a medieval silver mine and via ferratas open to children from four.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- All day
Glacier Blancfree · a full dayThe largest glacier in the Écrins; the trail from Pré de Madame Carle climbs about 700 metres beside its meltwater to the Glacier Blanc hut.
Day 2
- All day
Lac de l'Eychaudafree · a full dayA glacial lake at 2,514 metres below the Séguret Foran glacier, among the largest in the Écrins and frozen for most of the year.
Day 3
- Morning
Ailefroidefree · about 1 hA hamlet at the head of the Vallouise under Mont Pelvoux, among larches and granite boulders, with a guides' office and a large riverside campsite.
- Afternoon
Vallouisefree · about 1 hThe valley's main village, with old houses, painted sundials and the 15th and 16th-century Saint-Étienne church with its baroque altarpiece.
Day 4
- Morning
Puy-Saint-Vincenthalf a dayA family ski resort spread over three hamlets between 1,400 and 2,700 metres, facing the Vallouise and Mont Pelvoux, with cross-country skiing too.
- Late afternoon
Durance gorge via ferrata2 to 3 hFour graded via ferrata routes in the Durance gorge, from a short beginners' route for four-year-olds to a demanding three-hour climb, plus long ziplines.
Day 5
- Morning
Fournel silver mine2 to 3 hSilver-bearing lead was mined here by fire-setting from the 10th to the 13th century; the seam was reopened in 1785 and later employed hundreds.
- Afternoon
Dormillousefree · 2 to 3 hA hamlet at the end of the Freissinières valley, reached only on foot, long a Waldensian refuge and the park's only permanently inhabited village.
Where to sleep in the Écrins (Vallouise)
- Les Vallois · €85 a night
- Glaizette · €75 a night
- Hôtel Saint-Roch · €110 a night
Plan this trip
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