TREKKING
There are many possibilities for hikes or walks (all levels) from the hostel itself, which is located between Cerces and Ecrins, on the GR 50 and the itinerary of the Combeynot tour. A complete tourist documentation is at your disposal: hiking guides and topos (foot, ski, snowshoe, bicycle…) moutain magazines, documentation of the Ecrins National Park, books on fauna and flora (identification, traces and clues)…We prepare picnics for you if necessary.
We take care of everything to make your life easier. Just enjoy your stay.
Some ideas for walks and hikes from the hostel :
The tour of the “great lake”
A major itinerary that remains accessible, in a high valley with fantastic views of the Ecrins and the Great Lake where you will surely picnic, perhaps under the nonchalant eye of the ibexes. On the way back, you have to pass through the Alp du Lauzet and its high altitude chalets, in the middle of marmots, cows and horses. A great classic !
Combeynot Lake
In a more secret and austerely beautiful valley, a more demanding hike leads you to a small high-altitude lake surrounded by rocky outcrops. When you leave the forest, keep your eyes open, the chamois often drag their hooves around there! You are here in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.
The upper valley of the Guisane
On the edge of the Ecrins National Park, a very beautiful and easy walk, offering beautiful views of the aiguillette massif, leads you to the hamlet of Le Casset. Offering a wide variety of natural environments, it borders the Guisane River, between flowery meadows and larch forests.
VTT
Our valley is a VTT-FFC certified site (600 kms of marked trails) : www.espace-vtt-brianconnais.com
The Serre-Chevalier mountain bike center in Monêtier-les-Bains (6 km) offer mountain bike and VAE, car wash and mechanics, instructors… www.velonature.com Tél. 06 69 01 41 07 or 06 70 24 03 14
We provide you with a closed room for bicycles, small repair tools, topo-guides…
Trips ideas from the hostel :
Le chemin du Roy
A magnificent loop with three (relatively short) climbs interspersed with beautiful descents to rest the legs. Most of the route is on a balcony facing the Ecrins massif, between forests and meadows. A great panoramic show ! The descent to the Monêtier is done on a superb single in a particularly playful forest. 2.5 km and 770 meters of altitude difference. Possibility to reduce to 12 km and 350 meters of latitude difference.
The descent of the Galibier pass
15 km of pure descent by the old Galibier road, a good rolling track among the herds of cows that will lead you directly to the hostel. For the strongest : 30 km AR and 930 metres of positive altitude difference, by the track or road, generally open from May 25.
WHAT TO DO ACCORDING TO THE SEASONS ?
Spring and early summer (late May to early July) are sublime to enjoy the flowering period. On every floor, it is an explosion of colours : fragrant narcissus all around the hostel at the beginning of the season, mountain flowers along the paths and in the high meadows, orchids…Don’t hesitate to call us to follow the flowering, or to visit the fabulous Alpine Garden at the Lautaret Pass (no less than 2000 species).
Summer is deal for long hikes to high altitudes, shared with the herds of sheep and cows in summer, facing the magnificent panoramas of the Ecrins and the glaciers of the Meije. To do on foot, mountain bike or electric mountain bike.
Autumn often offers very beautiful, calm and sunny days. From mid-september, the mountain is adorned with incredible shades of maples and other shrubs : yellow, pink, red, orange… And what about the blueberries in the meadows facing the inn at sunset…Then, the larch forests burn until November. A great show !
Finally, winter opens up a whole range of snow activities : snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding…or simply a well-deserved relaxation at the Grands Bains du Monêtier and its swimming pools, jacuzzi, saunas, treatments…facing the snow-covered mountains.
Visit the website of the tourist office for all information and dates of events… www.serre-chevalier.com
Auberge du Pont de l’Alp
Le Pont de l’Alp
05220 Le Monêtier-les-Bains
Serre-Chevalier Vallée