Ecrins Trail: Grand Tour in 5 Days
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelExpert
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DestinationÉcrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions40.22 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Embark on an exceptional trail running adventure in the heart of the Écrins massif . Experience a unique five-day journey on a trail running route that almost completely circumnavigates this pristine mountain range. Traverse 150 kilometers of rugged trails and climb a total elevation gain of 10,000 meters . Your adventure begins in Vénosc, where the tranquil waters of Lac de la Muzelle await you. Then, you can admire the famous Barre des Écrins, the majestic Mont Pelvoux, before concluding your odyssey at the foot of the magnificent Pic de la Meije in Mizoën. As you progress along the technical paths, this alpine massif will reveal its bold character. You will be awestruck by the splendid panoramas offered by the ever-present glaciers.
This training camp will immerse you in a high mountain environment, punctuated by breathtakingly beautiful glacial valleys . Daily running sessions will allow you to refine your trail running techniques, improving your performance uphill, downhill, and on varied terrain. You will also learn how to use trail running poles effectively. Led by an expert mountain guide specializing in trail running , you will explore together the various aspects of ultra-trail preparation and performance, such as nutrition, recovery, training, and many other essential topics. This camp is an invitation to push your limits , expand your knowledge, and share an unforgettable human and sporting adventure.
The highlights
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A route offering a unique panorama of the region's mythical peaks
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A small group stay led by passionate trail running guides
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Technical workshops (poles, downhill, effort management, etc.) to help you progress
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 7h30
- Average distance/day: 31 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 2220 m
- Average daily descent: 500 m
Management
French
Program
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Venosc — Le Désert en Valjouffrey (25 km — 2,500 m elevation gain)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 2500 m
- Negative elevation 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 8am at Grenoble train station.
Private shuttle to Vénosc, starting point of our Écrins tour.
9:30 am – 4:30 pm: Full-day hike/run. We'll start right away with a long climb of 1800m+: welcome to the Écrins! A steady ascent that immerses us in the wild and unspoiled nature of the Écrins National Park : streams, waterfalls, lakes, glaciers. Water in all its forms will be our constant companion.
After this tough climb, we embark on a wild and technical descent . A truly alpine warm-up before another climb/descent sequence that will have you working on alternating concentric and eccentric efforts under the expert guidance of our trail coaches.
We end this first stage in the heart of a typical and preserved hamlet.
We find our luggage for the night at the accommodation, a mountain refuge, with rooms for 2 to 6 people.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 1 -
The Desert in Valjouffrey — Valgaudemar (32 km — 2,500 D+)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 32 km
- Positive elevation gain 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at the refuge.
A day hike/run starting from the accommodation towards the deep and sublime Valgaudemar valley (the little Himalayas). 1200m of elevation gain to start the outing and reach our first pass of the day.
We then follow a variant of the GR54 to reach two mountain huts nestled in the heart of the wilderness , overlooked by immense peaks . A true alpine atmosphere guaranteed!
A descent on a narrow singletrack leads to the valley floor and its ancient villages and hamlets . We then follow the left bank of the Séveraise stream upstream to reach our accommodation for the night. This final leg of the stage will allow us to stretch our legs a bit, a rare treat in the Écrins mountains!
We find our luggage for the night at the accommodation, a mountain refuge/hotel, with dormitories.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 2 -
Le Gioberney — Valgaudemar (35 km — 2,400 D+)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 35 km
- Positive elevation gain 2400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at the refuge.
A day hike/run starting from the refuge. For this third stage of our Écrins trail running tour, we're doing the loop around the Sirac , the highest peak at 3441m. We're still running in the heart of the Écrins National Park and its protected environment . The only signs of human activity are the few mountain huts we pass along the way, perfect stops for a coffee or a well-deserved blueberry tart!
Five mountain passes are on the agenda for the day, with the highest point reaching 2761m altitude. A beautiful high-altitude stage, perfect for acclimatizing to the altitude and boosting blood cell count.
We end up with our feet in the water before taking a short 30-minute shuttle to our accommodation where we find our luggage for the night.
We will be staying in a mountain refuge, in a dormitory.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 3 -
Vallouise — Villar d’Arene (35 km — 2,400 D+)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 35 km
- Positive elevation gain 2400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the refuge.
Day hike/run starting from the accommodation. A small ritual at the start of each stage with a long climb of 1300m+ leading to a sublime glacial lake .
The descent begins via a short , technical section equipped with a cable. We make a brief stop in Monêtier-les-Bains , where we encounter a few crowds after several stages away from the hustle and bustle. We reach Villar-d'Arène after a final climb towards the gigantic cirque of the Arsine glacier and a beautiful, rolling descent along the banks of the Romanche river .
We retrieve our luggage for the night at the accommodation. We are staying in a mountain hostel, in a shared room.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 4 -
Villar-d’Arêne — Mizoen (25 km — 1,300 D+)
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
A day hike/run starting from the gîte. Today, we're changing things up with a downhill start to reach the famous village of La Grave , overlooked by La Meije and its pristine glaciers. We climb to the Plateau d'Emparis , a vast, wild steppe offering an unforgettable panorama of the Meije's north face. A spectacular finale before descending back to Mizoen , the end of our 5-day trail running tour of the Écrins.
Shuttle to the Bourg d'Oisans swimming pool (shower not included in the price) then to Grenoble train station.
End of stay at 5pm at Grenoble train station.
Day 5
Note
This program may be modified at the guide's discretion if mountain conditions, weather or the physical condition of the participants require it.
Accommodation
You will be staying in mountain lodges or hotels for the entire duration of the course.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
Supervision by a mountain guide specializing in trail running
Full board from the evening of the first day of the course to lunchtime on the last day of the course
The transport and handling of your luggage during your stay
The price does not include
Lunch on the first day
Drinks and personal expenses
Cancellation and repatriation insurance
Transportation to the meeting point and from the end-of-internship location
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A 5 to 15 L backpack
- A pair of sunglasses
- A plastic bag for waste
- Bars, dried fruit...
- A little cash
- A toiletry bag
- Bath towel
- A pocket knife
- Earplugs or ear balls
- A headlamp
- Trail running poles if you wish
Clothing to bring
Clothing to bring for the day:
- A waterproof or windproof jacket
- A warm long-sleeved top
- Tights or long trousers in the bag
- Trail-specific socks
- A hat and thin gloves
Clothing to bring for the stay:
- A change of clothes for the duration of the internship
- Spare shoes
- An outfit for after the race
