Hautes-Alpes natural heritage
From lavender to glaciers
The diversity of the natural heritage in the Hautes-Alpes is quite incredible. This breadth of character in the Hautes-Alpes ranges from fields of lavender in the south to the magnificent peaks and glaciers of the north. It contains two nature parks, in the Écrins and Queyras, and a protected valley, the Vallée de la Clarée, which are linked together by the River Durance that forms the Serre-Ponçon Lake.
Parc naturel régional du Queyras
Hautes Alpes
An island in the ocean that is the Alps, this is 650 km2 of unspoilt nature, rich in colours and dotted with some of the most beautiful villages in the Alps… The paths here lead visitors from larch-filled woodlands up into the mountains, where the...
http://www.pnr-queyras.com
Parc national des Ecrins
Hautes Alpes
The Écrins National Park is one of the largest and highest mountain ranges in the Alps (its highest point is 4102 m and it has over 150 peaks between 3000 and 4000 m). Eleven thousand hectares of glaciers have sculpted the deep valleys here into a...
http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/
Le lac de Serre-Ponçon
The great Serre-Ponçon Lake (covering 3000 hectares), in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, brings a unique seaside atmosphere to the great natural expanses of the mountains. A series of floods meant it was inevitable that a dam would be built across...
http://www.serre-poncon.com/
Vallée de la Clarée
The Vallée de la Clarée lies next to the France-Italy border. Sculpted by glaciers, the Clarée valley is comprised of a stepped succession of smaller valleys and a chain of hamlets with traditional architecture. The valley is criss-crossed with...
le glacier de la Meije
Briançonnais
You had to be either mad or a genius to dream up the Meije cable cars. A 30-minute trip takes you up to an altitude of 3200 m and the foot of the ‘Reine Meije’ and its 3892 m of stone, while below your feet lies the Meije glacier. Roped up to,...
http://www.lagrave-lameije.com/index.jsp?c=67017&exp=67017
Les grands cols des Hautes Alpes
le grand Briançonnais
The Col du Galibier, Col de l’Izoard, and the Col de Vars are three of the legendary Hautes-Alpes mountain passes. Made famous by the Tour de France, they are also known for the astonishing beauty of their natural environments. From the Col du...
http://www.alpesvelo.net
le Valgaudemar
Valgaudemar
Valgaudemar has the most ‘Himalayan’ feel of the Alpine valleys and leads up to a fine mountain cirque in the heart of the great massifs of the Oisans area. Sit on the terrace of the Gioberney chalet-hotel and let yourself be refreshed by the...
http://www.champsaur-valgaudemar.com
Les gorges de la Méouge
Pays du Buëch
The Gorges de la Méouge is a fun place to visit in summer and is also a great place for walks and exploration during the rest of the year. Thanks to the variety of environments (river, cliffs, caves, forests, etc), the rarity of the some of the...
http://www.otlaragne.fr/
La Cascade de la Pisse
Serre-Ponçon
A visit to the Pisse waterfall in the Vallon du Rabioux (1450 m) is a great excuse to take your first steps in the mountains (easy access). Located at the entrance to the Écrins National Park, it is a refreshing spot in an isolated area and is a...
http://www.chateaurouxlesalpes.net
la Cascade de Dormillouse
Parc des Ecrins
When you travel to the Dormillouse waterfall you are not simply admiring this unique natural spectacle, you are also journeying to the only inhabited village in the whole of the Écrins National Park. In just 40 minutes you find yourself among...
http://www.paysdesecrins.com
La vallée de la Clarée
Briançonnais
From mid-June onwards, the extremely beautiful Clarée valley is overflowing with water. Not only is there is the Clarée River, there are also a multitude of lakes and waterfalls, including the one at Fontcouverte that can be easily accessed from...
les gorges du Guil
Queyras/Guillestrois
The Gorges du Guil provide a gateway to the Queyras and are truly impressive. This picturesque, deep and narrow gorge slices through black rock shot through with bright patches of colour. The gorge overlooks the Guil River, one of the top venues for...
http://www.pays-du-guillestrois.com
