Things to Do in Ecrins

Ecrins National Park offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. These include Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, Jogging, and Mountaineering. The park features a network of maintained paths and routes for various skill levels.

Popular road cycling routes include the Alpe d'Huez and Col de Sarenne Loop, which is about 33.6 miles (54.2 km) long. Another notable route is the Col de la Croix de Fer Climb from Allemond, spanning approximately 40.2 miles (64.7 km). These routes are generally rated as difficult.

Yes, Ecrins National Park provides hiking trails for all experience levels. Options range from easy marked loops to challenging multi-day hut-to-hut treks. The park contains over 460 miles (740 km) of hiking trails, including routes in the Haute Vallée de la Séveraisse and the Champsaur Valley.

The park is home to the Massif des Écrins, featuring Barre des Écrins, the southernmost 4,000-meter summit in the Alps. It also contains about 65 square miles (170 km²) of glaciers, such as the Glacier Blanc and Glacier Noir. Fast-flowing rivers like the Romanche, Durance, and Drac dissect the mountainous terrain.

Ecrins National Park supports a rich biodiversity due to its extreme elevation range. Common animals include mountain hares, marmots, foxes, and chamois. Ibex and golden eagles are also present, alongside over 2,200 animal species.

Mountain biking trails are available in Ecrins, suitable for various skill levels. Riders can explore forests, valleys, and peaks. However, mountain biking is prohibited in the core zone of the park. Areas like Orcières 1850 offer bike parks with singletrack trails.

Ecrins National Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 84,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the park have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. There are over 170 routes available across various sports.

Komoot offers several guides for Ecrins National Park to help plan activities. These include Road Cycling Routes in Ecrins, Hiking in Ecrins, and MTB Trails in Ecrins. Other guides cover topics like Waterfall hikes, Easy hikes, and Mountain Hikes.

Dogs are generally not permitted in the core zone of Ecrins National Park due to strict regulations. However, a more relaxed 'partnership zone' surrounds the core, where tourist activities are allowed. Visitors should check specific area rules before bringing pets.

The hiking season in Ecrins National Park generally runs from April to November. Year-round hiking is possible in some areas. The park's diverse terrain offers options for different conditions throughout these months.

For more information, the official website for Ecrins National Park is https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/. The park can also be reached by phone at +33 (0)4 92 40 20 10.

Ecrins offers challenging road cycling climbs, including legendary passes. The Alpe d'Huez climb is a well-known route. Another demanding option is the Col de la Croix de Fer, which features significant elevation gain.

Touring cyclists can find routes traversing high-mountain passes and alpine meadows. The Le Col de la Morte and Col d'Ornon loop covers about 61.8 miles (99.5 km). The 'Tour des Écrins' is a multi-day option, approximately 165 miles (265 km) with nearly 16,400 feet (5,000 meters) of elevation gain.