Easy 3000 meters peaks in Écrins and Queyras (Hautes-Alpes)

Description

Based in the Écrins massif, in the charming valley of Freissinières, in a comfortable cottage, we will hike in the deep valleys from Écrins to the Italian border, to climb each day a summit at over 3000 meters of altitude.

The atmosphere is alternately mineral, Himalayan, grassy or glacial, each summit has its particularity, its own charm that makes it memorable. A single point common to all: a grandiose panorama, a view that goes from Mont Blanc to Provence, the high peaks of the Écrins to Matterhorn and Italy.

Thanks to high altitude departures, difficulty is reasonable and makes this stay accessible to all lovers of the peaks!

If you want to discover differently this magnificent Queyras massif, I propose you several other treks:

• the discovery of the beautiful lakes of Ecrins and Queyras,
• the revisited tour of Queyras,
• the Viso tour off the beaten track,
• the tour of the Béal Traversier with bivouac,
• the discovery of the Queyras and its most beautiful lakes.

Program

D1: The Condamine (2940m).
From the Partias natural reserve we will climb the passes of Trancoulette and Vallouise before attacking the final slopes of the Condamine. At the top, comfortably installed on a welcoming dom you will enjoy a breathtaking panorama: the Pelvoux and the high peaks of Écrins at hand, the Cerces and Italy, the Queyras... and below us the Vallouise. The Condamine is a classic summit with a deserved reputation, that will set the tone of the week!
Positive and negative altitude differences: 1025 meters, 6 hours of walking.

D2: The Mortice (3169m).
You will enjoy a rather high departure above the great mountain pastures of Vars to quickly climb the first few hundred meters of altitude until the well named Nine Colors Lake. The path continues in a mineral atmosphere until a big circus that could be thought made of lava. Above, in a high mountain atmosphere is not a summit but two points connected by a long and beautiful ridge that we must visit not to miss the exceptional view: the Southern Alps and Provence but also the Mont Blanc, the Gran Paradiso, the Monte Rosa ...
D+ / D-: 1000m, 6 hours and a half of walking.

D3: The Tête de Vautisse (3156m).
Back in the Écrins. The pastures of Vautisse, vast plateaus little steep, dry and rocky have a small air of Himalayas. At the bottom, at the junction of two lines of pure ridges proudly stands the Tête de Vautisse, one of the 3000 most southern of the massif. After a rather gentle departure the slope stiffens and takes you to the summit. Nice view from the top over the high valleys of Freissinières, Sellar and Couleau and of course all over the massif!
D+ / D-: 850m, 5 hours and a half of walking.

D4: L’Étoile de Dormillouse (3066m).
The long ridge that separates the Freissinières valley from the Fournel valley is dotted with small peaks, each surpassing the previous one by a few meters. Some, rocky, are very difficult to climb, others are more practicable although no path takes it. L’Étoile de Dormillouse (the Star of Dormillouse) is one of them, those summits that deserve but where the atmosphere and the beauty of the route reward the brave ones who go there!
D+ /D-: 1200m, 7 hours of walking.

D5: La Turge de la Sufie (3024m).
Wedged between Queyras and the Italian border, the valley of the Fonts de Cervières is a small marvel opened by vast pastures towards Italy and closed to the south by the peak of Rochebrune. It is on the ridge leading to Rochebrune, emblematic summit visible from all the region, that we will go up through several lakes all prettier than the others. From above the view is of impregnable on the Rochebrune lord of the place, on the Écrins in front, Clarée and Vanoise in the north without forgetting Italy next door. Bucolic descent in the larch then return to Briançon for a well deserved drinking, then to take the evening train!
D+ / D-1050m, 6 hours of walking.

Meeting and separation: at Briançon SNCF train station. Possibility to arrive the day before with an extra night.

Intermediate level: you already have mountain hiking experience, you are in good shape and you practice regular physical activity all year long. You are looking for a medium level stay with beautiful hiking sometimes accessible at the cost of a little effort. Hiking days of 5 to 7 hours of walking with an average altitude difference around 1000 meters per day. Routes on good mountain trails with sometimes a few more technical passages or off-trail without difficulties.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Full board accommodation in a lodge (picnic for lunch).
• Bearing of meals and overnight stays of the mountain leader.
• Roundtrip transfers to hiking departures.

The price does not include

• Snacks.
• Personal expenses: drinks, aperitif, etc.
• Liability, repatriation and cancellation Insurance.
• Transport to and from the meeting place.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Accommodation in a comfortable hotel-lodge in a valley away from tourist flows. Room for 4 to 6 people, duvets provided. Home cooking and local products. Nice terrace to enjoy the end of the day. Picnic for lunch.
• Possibility of double room on request (with extra cost).

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