How should you behave when you come across herds accompanied by guard dogs?

Whilst out hiking across all the mountain pastures in our municipality, you’ll come across our shepherds and their guard dogs, such as Patous or Anatolian Shepherds. Sometimes the flock is left alone with the dogs. We advise you to respect the flocks – More info or Even more info

Are dogs allowed on the ski lifts and on the slopes in summer?

The three Télémix lifts are accessible with dogs only during the summer season. Dogs must be kept on a lead on all walks. Please note that animals (even when on a lead) are not permitted in the heart of the Écrins National Park – Further information You can, however, enjoy walks in the Écrins National Park thanks to the dog-sitting service available at the Orcières Leisure Centre – More information

Is there still snow at high altitudes in summer?

Snow conditions at high altitudes in summer can vary from year to year. We advise you to contact the Tourist Office or the Écrins National Park before setting off on your hike.

How do I get to the hamlet of Prapic by car?

Vehicles are not permitted in the hamlet. You will need to park in the signposted, free car parks located 300 metres from the village.

Hiking Itineraries around Orcières

As the starting point for a wide range of destinations, the village of Orcières invites you to explore all sorts of routes: sun-drenched walks overlooking the Champsaur Valley, refreshing walks through the forest on the north-facing slopes, as well as more challenging hikes to conquer the 13 or so peaks over 3,000 metres in the commune, in the heart of the Écrins massif…

Focus on The must-do hike in Orcières

The Monde des 6 Lacs

Enter the Monde des 6 Lacs of Orcières…

Orcières, a hiker’s paradise

Nestling close to the Écrins National Park, in the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys, Orcières lies at the heart of the Hautes-Alpes. Here, you can truly appreciate the grandeur of nature, where alpine and Mediterranean breezes meet and the sun shines generously. Welcome to a hiker’s paradise.

But this exceptional region belongs first and foremost to its inhabitants: over 1,800 plant species and 350 vertebrate animal species will make your excursions truly unforgettable. Among the most popular, chamois and marmots are plentiful in our mountain pastures, but you’ll need to be patient and discreet to encourage these encounters. The golden eagle, soaring majestically overhead, gives you a sense of the scale of the landscape…

Below, discover a glimpse of some of the ‘classics’ of the Pays d’Orsatus, including the poetic walk along the ‘ Monde des 6 Lacs ’. You can find detailed descriptions of these walks and many others in the guidebooks sold at the Tourist Office, particularly in the edition *Balades autour d’Orcières*: a collection of 30 walks for the whole family, on sale for €6.

main Hiking routes around Orcières

Below, you’ll find an overview of some of the ‘classics’ of the Orsatus region, including the poetic walk along the ‘ Monde des 6 Lacs ’. You can find detailed descriptions of these walks and many others in the guidebooks sold at the Tourist Office, particularly in the edition *Walks around Orcières*: a collection of 30 walks for the whole family, on sale for €6.