Tour of the Pays des Ecrins in 6 days

L'Argentière, the starting point of this tour, is a dynamic town which has successfully combined industrial development and the touristic promotion of its rich cultural and natural heritage. You can take advantage of its shops for your final preparations.The first stage leads to the alpine pasture hamlet of Bouchier. After following the Gyronde mountain stream and passing through the village of Les Vigneaux, the path climbs uphill offering superb views over the Queyras valley and the Briançon area. This slope faces south and it can be very hot here.The next day's stage leads to Vallouise, along the Montbrison massif. After Les Vigneaux, the view opens out over the glacial valleys of Ailefroide and the Glacier Blanc. Make the most of your stopover to visit the Park Centre ("Maison du Parc").On the route to Ailefroide from Vallouise, hikers will encounter an environment of rock and ice overlooked by legendary peaks, including the omnipresent Pelvoux.On the fourth day of your trip, you will discover hamlets which have developed tourist activity in keeping with their unique geographical situation, each in its own distinctive way.The following day, crossing over the Col de la Pousterle takes you back in a wild valley, the Fournel Valley. Then, crossing over the Col de la Lauze takes you to Freissinières with its characteristic and unspoilt landscapes.On the more technical stage 6, the path climbs up between the cliffs to the Crêtes de La Rortie and weaves between the needles of rock before starting the descent to L'Argentière.The variant will constitute a more cultural stage - its length making it challenging nevertheless - to discover the unique history of these villages perched dizzily over the Durance, and the abandoned village of Rame.