Tour du Vieux Chaillol - Self Guided Walking Holiday in the Alps

A Hiking Adventure through the Ecrins National Park at Your Own Pace

Embark on a self-guided refuge-to-refuge journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ecrins National Park in the Southern French Alps. This classic route offers a perfect blend of adventure, solitude, and natural beauty, providing an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of this spectacular region.

Discover the Ecrins' Stunning Landscapes

Explore dramatic valleys lined with towering peaks over 3000 meters, cross high mountain passes, and wander through gentle alpine meadows dotted with hedgerows, streams, and waterfalls. From pristine mountain water torrents to fascinating rock formations, every step of your journey is a feast for the senses.

Depending on the season, you'll witness an incredible variety of wildflowers—gentians, orchids, orange lilies, and daffodils in spring and summer—or enjoy the vibrant hues of autumn as the landscape transforms.

Wildlife Encounters at Every Turn

The Ecrins National Park is a haven for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for golden eagles, vultures, chamois, ibex, roe deer, and wild boar. And, of course, you'll be greeted by the playful marmots that populate the area. If you're lucky, you may even spot signs of wolves, which have recently made a return to this region.

Your Self-Guided Adventure

We take care of all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying your hike. Your accommodation will be booked in advance, and you'll receive walking maps and GPX tracks to guide you along the well-marked GR 50 and GR 54 trekking paths. Where possible, we’ll transfer your luggage between refuges, leaving you free to carry just a daypack. For one night, you’ll need to carry essentials, as baggage transfers are not available between two of the refuges.

To ensure your safety, we’ll monitor your progress and confirm your arrival at each refuge along the route. The toughest section of the hike takes you over a high mountain pass at 2607 meters, with an ascent of about 1150 meters in one day !

Holiday Highlights

• Hike at your own pace while we handle the logistics
• Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of the famous Ecrins National Park
• Spot a wide range of wildlife and seasonal flora
• Stay in high mountain refuges and enjoy the unique alpine experience
• Travel lightly with baggage transfers where possible
• Support sustainable tourism by contributing to the local alpine community
• Book with a responsible travel company

Who Will Love This Walking Holiday?

This trip is perfect for experienced walkers and hikers with good fitness levels. While the route is non-technical, some mountain hiking experience will ensure you're comfortable navigating the more challenging sections, especially the longer days.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Your journey supports sustainable tourism by staying in refuges that prioritize resource management, using solar energy and offering limited shower facilities. Additionally, your visit contributes to the local alpine economy, with many refuges sourcing fresh produce from their own gardens or local suppliers.

Itinerary

Day {{ itineraryDay.day }} {{ itineraryDay.title }}

The nearest train station is Gap. Gap is on the SNCF train service which has links from Paris (overnight sleeper), Valence, Grenoble or Marseilles.

We can arrange local transfers from Gap train station to your accommodation for 50€ per transfer (up to 8 people per transfer).

The nearest airports are Marseilles and Grenoble. From Marseilles airport there is a regular transfer to Gap train station directly from the airport every 2 hours. Nice, Lyon, Geneva and Turin are also drivable distances.

Please ask us about getting here when you enquire - we have all the local knowledge to help you plan your journey!