Get Ready for SpringFind Walks & Hikes
4
moderate to challenging
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • hotels
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1420GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: JAX

Walking in the Écrins National Park Trip highlights

  • Hike the scenic Alpine trails of France's Écrins National Park
  • Enjoy dramatic Alpine scenery without the crowds
  • Flexible itinerary with challenging and easier walking options
  • Gorge on local cheese, French baguettes and bilberry tart
  • Relax in welcoming family-run French auberges with authentic local cuisine
  • An ideal introduction to hiking in the French Alps for active walkers
  • Excellent value - all meals included

Hiking in the French Alps has long been a popular pastime with many drawn to the Chamonix Valley. However, the area around Mt Blanc makes up just 1% of the total coverage of the French Alps and there are many other beautiful – and quiet – areas to explore. One of the loveliest ranges within the French Alps is the Écrins National Park in the southern Alps, a favourite of our team. At the south-western edge of the Écrins, sits the beautiful Champsaur Valley. Écrins means jewel box, and this area is a true hidden gem. In the lower valleys, you will see the distinctive “bocage” landscape of fields enclosed by hedgerows, and in the higher valleys, the dramatic peaks of the high Écrins alpine mountains. Unlike some of the glaciated Alpine valleys, the landscape here is more open and accessible and offers an excellent introduction to Alpine hiking. The area is known for traditional farming practices, with many shepherds still producing their own cheeses. Joining in the French town of Gap (accessible by train from Paris, Marseille and Grenoble), transfers are included to transport you away to the quiet Alpine valleys where you can soak up the mountain views, picnic on local French cheese, learn about traditional shepherds’ lives, try the very special local bilberry pie and enjoy the tranquility that only the silence of mountains can provide. This flexible itinerary includes two days where you have options for longer and shorter hikes, and accommodation in local auberges with restaurants serving local French cuisine so you can immerse yourself in the culture and quiet beauty of the peaks and valleys of one of the Alps’ best kept secrets

Starting Point:

Gap

Finishing Point:

Gap Railway Station

Itinerary

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Arrive in the French town of Gap, accessible by train from Marseille and Paris. Regular trains connect Marseille to Gap, and the journey is scenic, winding through Provencal countryside into the foothills of the Alps. From Paris, high speed TGV trains run to Valence, from where you can take a regional train to Gap. A private taxi transfer will collect you on arrival in Gap and transport you (20 mins) to your accommodation in the pretty Alpine village of Ancelle, which sits in the heart of the Champsaur Valley. Set at 1,350m/4,430 ft in the southern French Alps, Ancelle is a charming mountain village surrounded by open meadows, forests and panoramic peaks. It offers a peaceful base away from the crowds of the better-known Alpine resorts. Accommodation: Two nights in a traditional Alpine style hotel, with restaurant, sun terrace and small outdoor pool.

Meals:  D

Today's walk is a beautiful circular warm-up walk to the Croix de St Philippe, a stunning viewpoint marked by an old iron cross, through quiet woodlands and a scenic ridge with breathtaking views over Gap and the Champsaur Valley. The valley stretches between the Écrins National Park and the Dévoluy massif, providing classic Alpine scenery with accessible, well-marked walking trails. You can expect wide horizons, flower-filled pastures in early summer and sweeping mountain views throughout your journey. Here, walking is as much about the landscape as it is about experiencing traditional Alpine life, with working farms and a relaxed village atmosphere shaping each day. If today is a Sunday, it is market day in Ancelle so you will have the chance to browse the stalls for some local shopping before your hike.

Meals:  B,L,D

Your walk today takes you up and over the summit of Le Cuchon (2179m/7149ft). Starting from Ancelle, you will walk along the valley floor through woodland and alpine pastures, ascending steeply to the summit from where there are panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Continue along the dramatic rocky ridge before descending through beautiful larch forest. Arriving at the charming traditional mountain village of St Léger Les Mélèzes you can explore on foot or check in for your stay. Accommodation: Overnight in a welcoming family-run hotel. Enjoy the views from your balcony, and traditional mountain cuisine in the restaurant, which is featured in the “Routard” guides.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you have two options, a harder mountain trail or an easy walk following the canal. High Mountain Route – Follow the GR50 (Grand Randonnee long distance trail) along the Balcons de Champsaur for amazing views of the Champsaur Valley. This is a reasonably challenging hike along footpaths and forest trails with around 800m/2625ft of ascent and descent. The route is north facing, so a shady option for hot days. 18km/11m – 6 to 7h Canal Walk – Take a gentle and scenic walk from St Léger Les Mélèzes to Les Borels, following the ancient canal path. This picturesque route meanders alongside the river, offering tranquil views of the valley and surrounding peaks. It’s an ideal way to immerse yourself in the peaceful mountain atmosphere. 12km/7.5m – 3 to 4h Accommodation: Two nights in an Auberge (inn) with a private lake for boating and swimming in the summer. Family-run and welcoming, the inn sits in the heart of the valley near the ski resort at Orcieres. The restaurant serves hearty regional cuisine with all the flavours of the southern French Alps.

Meals:  B,L,D

There are several options for today so you can choose to relax or continue hiking. Option 1 – Take the relatively flat yet rewarding valley walk to the “Maison Berger” Shepherds’ Museum in Champoleon. The museum tells the story of transhumance in the Alpine valleys in the past and the presence. The walk is approx 17km/10.5m return and is a gentle hike of around 5 hrs. Option 2 – Hike to the Refuge du Tourond Take a taxi to the start of the walk (payable locally) for the hike up to the Refuge du Tourond, a wonderful French alpine hut and a great place for lunch. The walk is steady with ascent and descent of around 500m/1600ft and surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The hut is a former chalet converted into a mountain refuge, a staging post for multi-day hikes around the Écrins National Park. Look out for marmots and enjoy the bilberry tart! Upon return to the valley, take a taxi back to your accommodation. Option 3 – Orcieres and the 6 Lakes Walk (July and August only) Take the free shuttle bus up to the ski resort of Orcieres, then the cable car (payable locally) to the top of the mountain from where you can enjoy the stunning 6 Lakes Walk, a high level route with wonderful alpine views or 11km/6.5m. This is a great option if you would like to enjoy the panorama of the high peaks without the full ascent from the valley. Alternatively, you could spend the day relaxing at the Auberge with a dip in the natural pool.

Meals:  B,L,D

Take a short taxi ride (included) to Le Clapier for today’s hike to Chaillol on the GR50 long distance trail. This is the most challenging hike of the trip, a true Alpine day out with around 1000m/3200ft of ascent. The trail winds uphill through woods before emerging onto a hanging plateau. The route offers sweeping views of the opposite valley, framed by rocky outcrops and scattered wildflowers. The hike to the small village of St-Michel-le-Chaillol is both invigorating and rewarding, with panoramic viewpoints that showcase the wild beauty of the Champsaur Valley. In Chaillol, relax and perhaps visit the nearby spa to unwind after your day's hike. Accommodation: Two nights in a comfortable and stylish auberge in this charming village, typical for the area, with a restaurant serving local specialities. There is a spa next door should you wish to indulge and relax at the end of your hike.

Meals:  B,L,D

Your final walk in the Champsaur Valley is a picturesque loop to the Col du Viallet, ascending through mixed forest and rocky terrain. The route gradually climbs to the col, where breathtaking views await, offering a fitting conclusion to your alpine adventure. The varied terrain of forest, rocky outcrops and alpine meadows make this a diverse and engaging hike, perfect for reflecting on the past week’s adventures.

Meals:  B,L,D

Services end after breakfast. Your included private transfer will collect you from your accommodation to return you to Gap for onward travel.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and 6 picnic lunches
  • 7 nights accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Return transfers to start and end points from Gap train station
  • Private taxi transfer on day 6
  • Digital information pack including route notes & maps
  • Emergency hotline

  • Lunch on day 1, day 8 and beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip in Gap
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Guide: this is a self-guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Excess Luggage

Accommodation

Hotels and Inns

The accommodation on this trip offers a warm Alpine welcome and a comfortable place to unwind after each day on the trails. You will stay in a selection of family-run hotels and traditional auberges (mountain inns) in the villages of the Champsaur Valley, each chosen for their character, friendly hospitality and excellent regional French cuisine. Expect simple but comfortable rooms, mountain views and hearty meals featuring local specialities from the southern French Alps. These welcoming properties provide an authentic taste of Alpine village life while placing you close to the walking routes. Should our first-choice accommodation not be available, we will endeavour to book a property of a similar standard nearby.

Trail Surface

Mountain trails and forest tracks

Walking in the Champsaur Valley and Écrins National Park involves a variety of classic Alpine terrain. You can expect well-marked mountain paths, forest tracks, grassy pastures and sections of rocky trail, particularly on higher ridges,outcrops and summit approaches. Some days include steeper ascents and descents on uneven ground, with loose stones underfoot in places.

Lower valley walks may follow canal paths, village lanes and pastoral tracks, while higher routes cross alpine meadows and exposed mountain terrain. Good quality walking boots with ankle support are essential, and trekking poles are recommended for added stability on longer descents.

Suitability

moderate to challenging

4

This trip is graded Moderate to Challenging. This walking holiday is best suited to regular hikers with a good level of fitness who are comfortable on mountain terrain. There are longer days of up to 16km or 10 miles, with significant ascent and descent on rocky ridges, forest trails and alpine paths. On days 4 and 5 you can choose between easier and more challenging options, allowing you to adjust the level of effort to suit your energy levels and the conditions. This flexibility makes the trip a rewarding introduction to Alpine hiking, while still offering satisfying challenges for experienced walkers. Well broken-in walking boots with good ankle support are essential, and trekking poles are strongly recommended to assist on steeper ascents and sustained descents. A good level of stamina will ensure you fully enjoy the panoramic viewpoints and classic high Alpine scenery.

Departure dates

Daily from 19 May to 30 Sept

Notes

Note:
High season is from 4 Jul to 29 Aug. A supplement applies for high season departures.

Priceper person from

£1420GBP

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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This trip is graded Moderate to Challenging (4) and is best suited to regular hikers with a good level of fitness. There are longer days of up to 16km or 10 miles with sustained ascents and descents on mountain terrain. However, on days 4 and 5 you can choose between easier and more challenging routes, allowing you to tailor the level of effort.

Yes. While some days are more demanding, the flexible route options make this an excellent introduction to hiking in the French Alps. The terrain is varied but accessible, and the open landscapes of the Champsaur Valley are less extreme than some higher glaciated Alpine regions.

The main walking season runs from late spring to early autumn. July and August are typically the warmest and driest months, with average daytime temperatures between 20 to 25°C or 68 to 77°F in the valley. Conditions are generally sunny, although short mountain showers are always possible.

You can expect well-marked mountain trails, forest tracks, grassy pastures and some rocky ridges at higher elevations. Good quality walking boots with ankle support are essential, and trekking poles are strongly recommended for stability on steeper ascents and descents.

Gap is easily reached by train from Marseille or Paris. From Marseille, direct regional trains take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. From Paris, take a TGV to Valence and connect to a regional service to Gap. A private transfer is included between Gap station and your accommodation in Ancelle.

The Écrins National Park offers dramatic Alpine scenery without the heavy crowds of the Mont Blanc region. The walking here feels more peaceful and authentic, with traditional farming culture, open valley landscapes and panoramic mountain views throughout.

Walking in the Écrins National Park Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.