Hikes near Col du Lautaret

Col du Lautaret (2057 m) sits in Hautes-Alpes, France. MR. ALPS lists 13 waymarked hiking trails starting from or crossing the area, 279 km of marked route in total. They run from 3.7 km to 126.4 km, the longest being Le tour du pays de la Meije. 13 of them record their elevation gain, between 347 m and 6240 m.

• Sentier Paul Louis Rousset

  23.3 km · +850 m · ≈ 6 h 05

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• Les lacs par le bord sud du plateau

  17.1 km · +1000 m · ≈ 5 h 05

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• La Brèche Pacave depuis La Grave

  14.3 km · +1550 m · ≈ 5 h 26

  The route to the Brèche de Pacave cuts through high-mountain mineral and glacial landscapes, with technical sections demanding a solid alpine footing. From the heights, panoramas open over the Emparis plateau, the Aiguille du Goléon, and the Romanche valley below.

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• Le Bois des Fréaux

  9.4 km · +1391 m · ≈ 4 h 12

  The trail opens in the forest of Le Bois des Fréaux — a north-facing woodland laced with cliff bands — before woodland and valley sections gradually give way to mountain meadows, rocky slopes, and open views within the Écrins National Park.

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• Le Sentier des Mules

  7 km · +887 m · ≈ 2 h 53

  The path traces the old working route where mule teams once hauled heavy loads of hay down from the meadows of the Plateau d'Emparis, passing through a landscape still visibly shaped by terraces that, at the start of the last century, were all under cultivation. Shared with GR 54 walkers and recently rerouted to protect its switchbacks, the loop departs from Le Chazelet (1770 m) and climbs the entire eastern flank of the plateau.

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• Le Clot Raffin

  3.7 km · +347 m · ≈ 1 h 19

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• Serre Bernard par la Berche

  10.2 km · +921 m · ≈ 3 h 35

  A wilder alternative to the classic Plateau d'Emparis route, this loop passes the ruins of former summer dwellings used by valley inhabitants, with chances to spot chamois, partridge, vultures, and eagles along the way. The trail also offers views of La Meije and traverses terrain rich in alpine flora.

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• Les Plagnes par les Clots

  5.8 km · +937 m · ≈ 2 h 43

  A loop through the small ski station of Le Chazelet, this trail delivers an exceptional panorama of the north face of the Meije and the surrounding villages, punctuated by granaries, terraced fields, and oratories that distill the traditional savoir-faire of the Pays de la Meije.

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• Le tour du plateau d'Emparis

  21.3 km · +1363 m · ≈ 6 h 32

  A high-altitude circuit across the Emparis plateau at around 2,500 metres, where the aroma of wild lavender mingles with the freshness of glaciers and every turn reveals the north faces of La Meije and Le Râteau looming above Lac Lérié and Lac Noir. Mountain pastures, isolated high-altitude villages turned refuges, and a sweeping panorama taking in the Girose glacier and Lake Chambon far below give this traverse its rare depth.

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• Le Signal de la Grave

  11.5 km · +2210 m · ≈ 5 h 59

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• Le tour du pays de la Meije

  126.4 km · +6240 m · ≈ 6 days at 6 h/day

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• Le Gros Têt

  17 km · +982 m · ≈ 5 h 02

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• Le Pic du Mas de la Grave

  11.8 km · +754 m · ≈ 3 h 37

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