Wild Ecrins Dormillouse Stay

The Pays des Écrins is a treasure trove of authentic, rugged and magnificent mountains, vast and wild. Are you close to the Grand Tour des Écrins? Here, you're in the domain of the chamois, the golden eagle, a demanding mountain that has forged a heritage of isolated alpine chalets and precious irrigation channels. This is an exceptional wilderness trek that you won't find in any other catalog: it's unique, and so is your vacation; here's a trek that has nothing to envy the Grand Tour des Écrins! You're off the beaten track, in a land of rare but powerful encounters with the elements, Nature and its immensity. An encounter with the hearts of the people who have chosen to live and stay here, shepherds and hut keepers. Welcome to a world high up in the mountains, for an exclusive Alpes Aventure experience!

7-day trip with 1200mD+ per day (difficult difficulty).

Period: September

Accommodation: gîte, chalet, hotel

• Day 1:

Meet at l'Argentière la Bessée SNCF train station. Preparation for your stay, installation at the hotel, briefing.

Night in hotel

• Day 2 :

Departure from the heart of l'Argentière la Bessée, heritage circuit and climb up to the Fournel valley, passing some beautiful old local homes set against the mountain. Your landscape becomes wilder, the horizon widens towards the Bois des Casses and the Plateau des Têtes (2044m). At the summit of Le Pelvoux, the glaciers appear. In the late afternoon, a short descent to the Col de la Pousterle takes you to the viewpoint of the refuge de la Pousterle, above the vast Fournel valley.

Overnight at the Pousterle refuge

Ascent: +1000m / -300m

Duration: 6 hours

• Day 3:

Morning ascent to Tête d'Oréac (2088m), then descent to the Fournel valley via Les Claussailles, then Champ Didier. Numerous renovated and well-maintained chalets line the route. Climb back up to the ubac, cool for the afternoon, through the Simon de l'Aigle wood and the Maison Blanche, to reach the Coueimian chalet, where you will stay in a guest house with your guide.

Overnight at the chalet (1705m)

Ascent: +1000m / -700m

Duration: 6 hours

Day 4:

Round-trip day trip. The solitary Vallon de Crouzet welcomes you today, a protected balcony in the heart of the surrounding peaks. Return via the Génépi ridge to the Seyte ridge (2627m) and the Coueimian chalet. If you're in top form, you could climb the Etoile de Dormillouse, also known as "La Pyramide" at 3066m

Overnight at Chalet de Coueimian

Difference in altitude: +1000 to 1300m / -1000 to 1300m

Duration: 6 to 8h

• Day 5:

balcony day from Coueimian to Dormillouse. Cross the Col d'Anon quickly (1891m), then Les Garcines, a former alpine hamlet (1771m). This is the start of the alpine path leading to Dormillouse. This magnificent balcony crosses 3 alpine valleys, interspersed with narrower passages to cross the ridges. A sumptuous day's journey to Dormillouse in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.

Overnight at the refuge de l'Ecole in Dormillouse (1730m)

Ascent: +600m / -600m

Duration: 7 hours

• Day 6:

Round-trip day trip. The lakes circuit, via Lac Palluel, then Lac Faravel. An enchanting loop in the Pays du Grand Pignier, and discovery of these magical lakes of glacial origin.

Overnight at l'Ecole gite in Dormillouse

Ascent: +800m / -800m

Duration: 5 to 6 hours

• Day 7:

Early morning departure for Lac du Fangeas (1990m). The trail then winds between rocky bars to reach the August district. A final off-trail climb leads to the Col de Couleau (2787m). Descend the east-facing slope to the Couleau hut, then join the valley of the same name. The trail continues towards the valley and you join the Alpes Aventure transport at Serre Buzard above Châteauroux les Alpes.

Transfer to Mont Dauphin Guillestre station

Difference in altitude: +1000m / -1500m

Duration: 7 hours

Price includes :

• supervision by a mountain leader
• overnight accommodation and half-board according to program
• picnics and lunches as per program