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Best Forest Hikes in Parc national des Écrins (cœur)

There are 7 hikes in Parc national des Écrins (cœur) in our database that fit. They average 11.0 km and 530 m (1,739 ft) of ascent.

That is 28 percent of the 25 routes we map in Parc national des Écrins (cœur). They are shorter than the local average, 11.0 km against 33.2 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 530 m (1,739 ft) against 962 m (3,156 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Forest trails are the dependable choice: shade when it is hot, shelter when it is not, and a completely different character once the leaves turn. The mix is broad: 2 are rated easy and 3 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Hard

Via Alpina Red R128

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
19.8 km
/ 12.3 mi
Elevation gain
436 m
Typical duration
4 hr 55 min
  • Forest
Hard

Les lacs de Crupillouse

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
16.4 km
/ 10.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,351 m
Typical duration
5 hr 28 min
  • Waterfall
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Le Col du Cheval de Bois

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
18.6 km
/ 11.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,024 m
Typical duration
5 hr 31 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Auberts - Pré de la Chaumette

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
98 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Fermonds - ?

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Le Saut du Laire

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
9.0 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
415 m
Typical duration
2 hr 30 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Le refuge du Tourond

Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Distance
5.7 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
321 m
Typical duration
1 hr 41 min
  • Forest

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Via Alpina Red R128Parc national des Écrins (cœur)19.8 km436 m4 hr 55 minHardApril to October
Les lacs de CrupillouseParc national des Écrins (cœur)16.4 km1,351 m5 hr 28 minHardApril to October
Le Col du Cheval de BoisParc national des Écrins (cœur)18.6 km1,024 m5 hr 31 minHardApril to October
Les Auberts - Pré de la ChaumetteParc national des Écrins (cœur)4.5 km98 m1 hr 4 minEasyApril to October
Les Fermonds - ?Parc national des Écrins (cœur)3.0 km65 m43 minEasyApril to October
Le Saut du LaireParc national des Écrins (cœur)9.0 km415 m2 hr 30 minModerateApril to October
Le refuge du TourondParc national des Écrins (cœur)5.7 km321 m1 hr 41 minModerateApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Via Alpina Red R128, Les lacs de Crupillouse, Les Fermonds - ?. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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