Best nature trips trails in Parc national des Écrins, France

Lake Eychauda is a mountain lake located at an altitude of 2,514 m, in the central area of the Ecrins National Park, in the French department of Hautes-Alpes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This alpine lake is located at the foot of the crests of Grangettes and the dome of Monêtier (3,404 m). It is one of the three largest lakes in the Ecrins massif. In a mineral and glacial environment, Lake Eychauda is a glacial lake, that is to say that it thaws only a few months a year and has a very short summer period of organic production. It was hollowed out by the Séguret Foran glacier, and appeared during the glacial retreat, like the lakes of Rouies, the glacier of Arsine, and the Quirlies. It is fed by the Oules torrent.Show more

This hike in the heart of the Ecrins National Park leaves from the Refuge Cézanne and leads you to the Brèche Pierre Etienne via the White Glacier. Magnificent panoramic views on the horizon.Show more

The Lake Lauvitel hike is a trail that leads you to the lake. Lake Lauvitel is a lake located at 1530 meters above sea level. It is considered the largest lake in the Massif des Ecrins (Isère). It is only accessible by hiking and has been a nature reserve since 1995.Show more

This ball trail is quite difficult and can be done in both directions. If you hike the trail clockwise (which you should), you will walk on a very steep hill with lots of pebbles - and at the top, just before reaching the lake, you will have to do some trekking. 'escalade (a steel wire attached to the cliff). The warning sign at the start of the trail tells you that this trail is not for beginners. It's a difficult trail. You must have your shoes, water and endurance in order. If you take the path in the other direction, you will start with the easy part before you can descend this steep hill. Lots of people seem to hike the trail counterclockwise, stop near the beautiful lake - and come back as they got home. Whether you make the whole trip or just a part of it, you admire incredible views, changing landscapes with jagged rocks and meadows, marmots, flowers everywhere (at least in July), vultures rising above and space for everyone.Show more