Hidden Valleys of the Ecrins

4 days 3 nights
France
Photo Roberto C.
Roberto C.
Tour Provider
View Roberto’s tours
Difficulty
Challenging
Comfort
Basic
Group size
2-6 tourists,
over 14 y.o.

The Ecrins National Park is a place where the Alps still feel untouched — vast, silent, and raw.
Just two hours from Turin, the park is one of France’s last true wildernesses: no ski resorts, no crowds, only granite peaks, glaciers, and high meadows dotted with marmots.

This 4-day trek offers an authentic experience of the high mountains, surrounded by towering walls and ancient ice. The route is not extreme, but it carries the flavor of real alpine adventure — a journey through a landscape that feels immense, powerful, and free.

from
$808
per tourist for 4 days
Departing from
Piedmont, Turin
This tour is booked individually on request
Any dates between 1 Jun and 1 Oct are available. Сlick to book or contact tour provider.
Number of individuals
2-6 tourists, over 14 y.o.
Only in the Hiking Trekking Club
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Photo Roberto C.
Roberto C. is the provider of this trip
The provider speaks: English, Spanish, Italian
I am Roberto, I was born in 1985 and I am an Hiking Guide from 2010, funded my company in 2012. I am a Telecommunications Engineer and I could definitively switch my carrer to Hiking guide in 2015. It was the best day of my life as I found also Love in that day: 9th of April will be always my personal National Holiday! I travelled the World and I love cultural differences. I love my job which is a mix of Nature, Beauty and shared experience: my passions all togheter.

Tour highlights

Big Mountain Atmosphere
Impressive walls and glaciers, without extreme difficulty.
High Viewpoints
Up to 2800 meters at Lac du Pavé.
A Real Alpine Feel
Far from ski resorts and crowds.

Route details

Day 1
Col du Lautaret (2058 m) → Refuge de l’Alpe de Villar d’Arène (2079 m)

We begin our adventure at the Col du Lautaret, surrounded by 4000-meter peaks. The first day is an easy introduction, crossing alpine pastures and flower meadows to reach the Refuge de Villar d’Arène.
The setting is idyllic: quiet, open, with marmots calling in the distance and glaciers shining above.
Dinner and overnight at the refuge.

+250 m / 6 km / 3 hrs

Day 2
Refuge Villar d’Arène → Refuge du Pavé (2841 m)
Day 3
Refuge du Pavé → Refuge Villar d’Arène (2079 m)
Day 4
Refuge Villar d’Arène → Le Casset (1521 m)
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape
Tour provider's comments

3/5 (medium)

Accommodation

Comfort
Basic
Camp Site
3 nights
3 nights
Camp

Guarded Hut / Mountain Lodge (Rifugio)

This is what in Italian is called Rifugio. In English you might call it Lodge or Mountain Shelter. Rifugio, like a Bivacco, is in the middle of the mountains and you can enjoy the night in the Italian Alps with a bit more of comfort as you will not need to bring any food as they serve dinner and breakfast, there is light, toiletwarming system.  Also there is usually a Bar service so if you want to buy a beer or a genepy, the tipycal liquor of ther Italian Alps. Most of the shelter are open only during the summer(from July to first week of September) but some of them are opeoned all year long. The costs are pretty high as the food and every facilities are brought by elicopter.

In the Shelter you sleep in common room(sometimes 6-8 people sometimes 20) so anyway a bit of spirit of adventure is requiered. You need to bring a liner(light sleeping bag) or you will be able to rent it up there for around 5 euro. The rifugio is a good compromise for your alps trekking accomodation between comfort and wilderness.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place
Piedmont, Turin
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Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route
You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on
  • the forecasts for this season
  • the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included
  • Hiking Guide
  • Trasportation from Torino till the Mountain area and back (free service)
  • Overnight staying with dinner and breakfast (directly at the lodges)
  • Suggestions for the organization of your trip (free service)
Extras
  • Other Meals
  • Air ticket till Torino

Difficulty and duration of the hike can be changed and accomodation in bed and breakfast or hotel can be arranged.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • Backpack (30-40 liters) – Rent Possible
  • Hiking Boots – Rent Possible
  • Light Sleeping bag/Liner – Rent Possible
  • 1 t-shirt per day
  • 1 fleece
  • 1 jacket against cold
  • 1 jacket against rain
  • 2 extra socks
  • 1 comfortable trouser
  • 1 shorts
  • 1 water bottle
  • Hat and gloves
  • Suncream
  • Sun glasses
  • Spirit of Adventure!
How it works with scheduling the hikes?
Children have a discount?
Children can participate? Is it a good experience for a child?
I am vegetarian, will I have some problem? I have some allergies, Will I have some problem?
I have never been trekking, is it an experience fit for everyone?
What happen if the weather is bad?
What if I feel too tired to keep trekking?
How many guides are coming in trekking?
Which language does the guide speak?
Is it possible to have someone helping to carry some stuff?
Will the backpack be heavy?
Cancellation of booking

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Dates and Prices

  • Any dates on request during the season
    1 Jun – 1 Oct
    Request to book

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