Walking - Hiking

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Hiking

Nestled on the edge of the Écrins national park and between the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys, Orcieres is the gateway to a vast area of natural beauty. A natural wilderness where the alpine and mediterranean air meet and the sun shines generously. Welcome to paradise for hiking.

There are a multitude of different itineraries and destinations accessible from the commune (borough) of Orcieres: sunny walks along the terraces overlooking the Champsaur valley, cool strolls through the forest as well as more demanding walks including access to over 13 summits of 3000m or more taking you into the heart of the Écrins massif.

This exceptional territory is home to over 1800 species of plants and 350 species of vertebrates. Amongst these are the celebrated chamois and marmots which, although abundant in our valleys, require patience and discretion to be seen! And golden eagles which can be seen flying majestically high above the mountains giving an idea of the scale of this magnificent space...

There are several 'classic' walks to be done in this area ! Guidebooks and other ideas can be found on sale at the tourist office and in particular in the edition Balades autour d'Orcières : a collection of 30 hikes for the whole family on sale at the price of 6€.

Unmissable in Orcières

Le Monde des 6 Lacs - © Gilles Baron

Le Monde des 6 Lacs

Summer hiking routes

Refuge du Tourond

Departure : Les Fermonds
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 6 km
Elevation : 350 m
Type : Round trip

The waterfall of Saut du Laïre

Departure : Hameau de Prapic
Duration : 3h00
Distance : 5.6 km
Elevation : 415 m
Type : Go / roaming

Le Monde des 6 Lacs

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 3h30
Distance : 10.2 km
Elevation : 163 m
Type : Loop

The Rouannette source

Departure : Parking d'Archinard
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 5.5 km
Elevation : 330 m
Type : Go / roaming

Le Forest des Marches

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 6.2 km
Elevation : 250 m
Type : Loop

The path of the factor

Departure : Base de Loisirs d'Orcières
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 8.5 km
Elevation : 360 m
Type : Loop

Le Forest des Estaris

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 5.3 km
Elevation : 150 m
Type : Loop

Famille Plus

Le Tombeau du poète

Departure : Hameau de Prapic
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 3.3 km
Elevation : 128 m
Type : Go / roaming

Le lac des Pisses

Departure : Prapic
Duration : 3h30
Distance : 14.1 km
Elevation : 1003 m
Type : Go / roaming

Col des Terres Blanches

Departure : Prapic
Duration : 8h00
Distance : 22.2 km
Elevation : 1310 m
Type : Go / roaming

Découverte des hameaux d'Orcières

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 4h00
Distance : 8.2 km
Elevation : 50 m
Type : Go / roaming

Du sommet du Drouvet à Prapic

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 5h00
Distance : 15 km
Elevation : -1144 m
Type : Go / roaming

Le Roc d'Alibrandes

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 7.8 km
Elevation : -800 m
Type : Loop

La traversée du Queyrelet

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 3h00
Distance : 8 km
Elevation : 400 m
Type : Loop

Le Saut du Laïre par le Basset

Departure : Prapic
Duration : 5h00
Distance : 11.4 km
Elevation : 607 m
Type : Loop

Le tour du plan d'eau d'Orcières

Departure : Base de loisirs d'Orcières
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 2.7 km
Elevation : 40 m
Type : Loop

Snowshoeing

Because we want to make you discover our mountain in winter in the same way as summer, the Champsaur & Valgaudemar has set up marked trails for your snowshoeing and groomed trails for your winter walks. Trails map for sale (2 €) at the Tourist Office. A network of 35km marked trails for pedestrians in our valley Champsaur & Valgaudemar including 15km groomed from Orcières Merlette 1850. For trips in complete freedom !

Winter routes

Boucle découverte

Departure : Parking des Borels
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 2 km
Elevation : 50 m
Type : Loop

De hameau en hameau

Departure : Parking des Borels
Duration : 2h00
Distance : 3.2 km
Elevation : 70 m
Type : Loop

Le Forest des Marches

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 2h30
Distance : 6.1 km
Elevation : 250 m
Type : Loop

Le petit tour

Departure : Base de loisirs d'Orcières
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 2 km
Elevation : 20 m
Type : Loop

Le long du Drac

Departure : Gîte de Chauffarel - Base de loisirs d'Orcières
Duration : 2h00
Distance : 5 km
Elevation : 50 m
Type : Loop

Découverte des hameaux

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 4h00
Distance : 7.8 km
Elevation : 540 m
Type : Go / roaming

Le Forest des Estaris

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 2.2 km
Elevation : 130 m
Type : Round trip

Le Clot Aumaillé

Departure : Merlette
Duration : 1h00
Distance : 2 km
Elevation : 120 m
Type : Loop