Mountains

The Serre Chevalier valley is a high-mountain environment on the edge of the Ecrins National Park.
The peaks surrounding the valley are extremely popular with mountaineers. They include: the Barre des Ecrins (4102m) as well as the Pelvoux, Meije, Les Agneaux and Mont Thabor and Le Grand Galibier. Ailefroide, in the Vallouise valley, is France’s second most popular mountaineering destination and was explored by great names, such as Whymper and Coolidge.
The guides’ bureaux organises various climbs and glacier hikes starting in Serre Chevalier.

Ecrins National Park

The Ecrins National Park is home to around 210 of the 440 known species of bird found in Europe and almost 110 other species of vertebrate.
There are 1800 species of plant in the park and its surrounding areas, 40 of which are rare or endangered and 35 are endemic to the park itself. Visitors are not allowed to pick the plants and flowers. Even once you’re outside the park, please do not touch the plants, instead admire them in their natural environment!
Le Monêtier les Bains is one in the villages within the park boundaries and has a visitor centre housing several exhibitions.
Our mountain species are: the larch that loses its needles and adopts an ochre hue in autumn, Arolla pine, black pine, downy oak and beech.

Animals
Chamois: studies have shown that there are 12,000 chamois living in the park.
Ibex: nearly 200 ibex in the Cerces Massif.
Marmots: they’re everywhere, you can’t miss them!
Why not visit ’La Montagne aux Marmottes’ an hour from Serre Chevalier in Le Sauze du Lac (+33 (0)4 92 44 32 00).
Golden eagles: can be seen circling overhead.

Hiking

370km of paths to explore in Serre Chevalier.
You will find the following maps useful:
3536 OT: Briançon-Serre Chevalier 1/25000
N°241: Massif des Ecrins - 1/25000
Pays des Ecrins – 1/50000

Cartoguide: The essential guide to walking in Serre Chevalier (lakes, long routes, walks with botanical and geological themes).
On sale at the Tourist Office for 7.50€ or buy it online.

Some easy walks around Serre Chevalier : Brochure to download or to callect in the Tourist Office.

GR routes
GR50: Tour of the Haut Dauphiné traverses the valley from top to bottom.
GR54: Tour of the Ecrins Park. Starting from Le Casset and Le Monêtier or from the top of the Chantemerle cablecar after the Col de la Pisse.
GR5 variant c: you can join the northern variant of the famous Briançon-Nice route for walkers at the Col du Granon or in Briançon itself.

Lakes
Oule, Cristol, Grand Lac, la Douche, Combeynot, Arsine, and others, which you can reach from our valley.

Long routes
The tour of the Combeynot lake in the Ecrins National Park or the famous Chemin du Roy overlooking the valley from Le Lauzet to Le Granon.

Walks with a geological theme
’Sentier géologique du Rocher Blanc’
This path takes you on a tour of the geology of the Briançon region, covering its 300 million year history. Outings are organised by the Centre Briançonnais de Géologie Alpine - Email - tel: +33 (0)4 92 20 56 55.
Other visits include Le Chenaillet at Montgenèvre: a dive at altitude that explores the best underwater fossil volcano in the Alps.

Themed walks
Botanical walks: Le Bez botanical walk, about an hour through beautiful flora.
Historical walks: Path following irrigation canals, takes you through the history of the canals of the Briançon region.
Hearts of stone: sundials, oratories, chapels in Saint Chaffrey.

To find an establishment, please select below: