National park · France
Écrins National ParkParc national des Écrins
Enter Écrins National Park for a day: buy a €6 entry ticket at the gate, hike the Lac du Lauvitel loop (10 km (6.2 mi)) in summer, and skip July‑August peak crowds.Enter Écrins National Park for a day: buy a €6 entry ticket at the gate, hike the Lac du Lauvitel loop (6.2 mi (10 km)) in summer, and skip July‑August peak crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
925 km² (357 sq mi)357 sq mi (925 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 925 km² (357 sq mi)357 sq mi (925 km²)
- Official area is 925 km²; some sources split land (≈800 km²) and marine zones (≈125 km²) – check for updates.
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Écrins National Park protects the high Alpine landscape of the Écrins massif across Hautes‑Alpes and Isère. It offers over 700 km of marked trails, glacier scenery, alpine lakes and the highest‑altitude plant in France. Visitor services are centred on the Chabottes gate, with mountain huts and designated campsites for longer stays.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteFrench national park (check).
Size and age
925 km² (357 sq mi)357 sq mi (925 km²) · national park since 1973
Official area is 925 km²; some sources split land (≈800 km²) and marine zones (≈125 km²) – check for updates.
Why go
- Over 700 km (435 mi) of marked trails across high Alpine scenery.Over 435 mi (700 km) of marked trails across high Alpine scenery.
- Lac du Lauvitel lake at 1530 m with striking turquoise water.
- Glacier d’Arsine and surrounding peaks for classic mountaineering.
- Rich alpine flora, including France’s highest‑altitude plant.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow; limited trail access.
- FebWinter conditions persist.
- MarEarly spring, lower crowds.
- AprMelting snow, wildflowers appear.
- MayFull trail opening, pleasant weather.
- JunStable summer, ideal for high passes.
- JulPeak visitor numbers, occasional storms.
- AugSame as July; thunderstorms common.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds, good visibility.
- OctEarly autumn, some passes close.
- NovSnow begins, limited access.
- DecWinter; only lower valleys open.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine ibexJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Golden eagleApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| High‑altitude plants (edelweiss, blue thistle)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Grenoble
Train to Gap (≈1 h) then bus 30 min to Chabottes entrance.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Lyon
TGV to Valence, then regional train to Gap and bus to park.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Gap
Local bus or taxi directly to Chabottes gate.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chabottes entrance | Main gate, visitor information, parking, trailheads to Lac du Lauvitel. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Lac du Lauvitel area | Lake, surrounding meadow trails, mountain hut. | Marked footpaths from Chabottes. |
| Glacier d’Arsine sector | High alpine glacier, climbing routes, GR 54 segment. | Guided or experienced hikers only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of main features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry ticket | EUR 6 (≈ US$7) | person | Ticket sold at park gates; check for seasonal discounts. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Off‑road driving
- Prohibited anywhere in the park; stay on marked roads.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash in most zones; not permitted in wildlife reserves.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites or mountain huts; wild camping forbidden.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided stoves in campsites.
- Litter
- Pack out all waste; no bins in backcountry.
Where to stay
Near the park
Chabottes village
Hotels, guesthouses, and the Gioberney refuge within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the gate.Hotels, guesthouses, and the Gioberney refuge within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the gate.
Near the park
La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar
Camping Municipal Les Mélèzes and small hotels.
Safety
Rapid weather change high
Altitude sickness medium
Storms in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and visitor centre are wheelchair‑accessible with short paved paths.
- High‑altitude trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine flora.
- Use designated campsites and carry out all litter.
- Support local mountain huts and guide services.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Écrins National Park?
A standard entry ticket costs €6 per person and is bought at any park gate.
What are the best hikes in Écrins National Park?
Top hikes include the Lac du Lauvitel loop (10 km, moderate), the Glacier d’Arsine ascent (hard), and the GR 54 long‑distance trail across the massif.
When is the best time to visit Écrins National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) offers open trails and good weather; avoid July‑August if you prefer fewer crowds.
Do I need a guide for any routes?
Guides are required for glacier travel and for the full GR 54 segment beyond marked day‑hikes.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on leash in most areas but not in wildlife reserves or during guided glacier tours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Écrins National Park
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