Balcons et Villages de l’Oisans Alpine Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in France | Self Guided Walking Holiday

Majestic peaks including La Meije and Barre des Ecrins tower over you as you walk from west to east. Famous villages such as Alpe d'Huez of Tour de France fame offer grand views of the Ecrins massif with its towering peaks and glaciers. The older villages too are interesting with their typical mountain architecture.

Grade: This walk is reasonably demanding so you need to be fit and experienced.

Getting there:
Train via Paris to Grenoble or fly to Grenoble. Alternatively, fly to Chambery, Lyon or Geneva then train to Grenoble. From Grenoble by bus to Bourg d'Oisans. Return by train via Lyon (for airport) and Paris.

Day 1 Arrive Bourg d'Oisans.

Day 2 Bourg d'Oisans to Huez.
There should be time in the morning to look round the village and the museum which informs about the flora, fauna and geology of the region. The walk then climbs through the Maronne Forest to the hamlet of Chatelard en route to your accommodation. ~ 2h30m

Day 3 Huez to Besse.
Today you climb up the side valley to go over the Col de Sarenne at 2000 metres. Then you descend to the villages of Clavans d'en Haut and Clavans le Bas before climbing once more to reach your overnight stay in Besse. ~ 5h45m

Day 4 Besse to La Grave.
A superb panoramic path is followed today which includes the Col de Souchet at 2365 metres. The views over the peaks of La Meije and Le Rateau with their glaciers are spectacular. ~ 6h

Day 5 La Grave to Villar d'Arene.
Transfer to the hamlet of Ventelon then walk to the Lac de Golion and the Carraud Hut. The route to Villar d'Arene takes you down to the hamlet of Valfroide before climbing over the Col de l'Aiguillon. Those wanting a much easier day can walk direct from La Grave to Villar d'Arene. ~ 6h

Day 6 Villar d'Arene to Le Monetier les Bains.
A long day but with great views. The route takes you over the Pas de l'Ane Falque and the Col d'Arsine at 2348 metres from where the views of the now very close snowy peaks of the Ecrins are superb. The descent is open at first before winding through larch trees to the village of Le Casset. ~ 7h

Day 7 Le Monetier les Bains to Vallouise.
Another full day's walking through the mountains takes you over the Col de l'Eychauda at 2425 metres before a long descent to Vallouise. ~ 7h

Day 8 Vallouise to Les Vigneaux.
A short final day's walking via Le Grand Parcher brings you to the village of Les Vigneaux from where you are transferred to Briancon. ~ 2h45m

Day 9 Departure.

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