Created in 1973, the Écrins National Park is the highest natural park in Europe. Most of it stretches across the mountains of the Écrins massif. Its landscapes have been shaped by the glaciers that carved deep valleys dotted with lakes, passes and waterfalls. It is inhabited by various animal species such as eagles, chamois, ibex, marmots and some 1,800 varieties of flowers and plants. With all its flora and fauna, the Parc des Écrins is a real paradise for hikers. To ensure the protection of the abundant nature that reigns in this unspoilt environment, the central area of the nature park is only accessible on foot, via marked hiking trails. It’s one of the most popular nature reserves in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The jewelsof the parc national des écrins
Tourist mountaineering
Situated between the northern and southern Alps, the Écrins massif is a high-altitude territory where the wild natural environment of the mountains makes you want to come back again and again. Covering the Hautes-Alpes and Isère departments, this high-mountain range includes 150 peaks over 3,000 meters in altitude. In addition, there is a glacial surface covering 10,000 hectares. In the Écrins National Park, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the contrast between the compact, abrupt character of each peak and the vast expanses of alpine pastures and meadows all around.
These natural fortresses on the side of the glacier lead to territories where, from time immemorial, mountain communities have subsisted on their agropastoral activities, even if nowadays it’s tourism and, more recently, ecotourism that are driving life in the Parc des Écrins.
The characteristicsof the parc national des écrins
The heart of the Écrins National Park covers 93,000 hectares. 49 neighboring communes have signed up to the park’s charter, bringing its area of membership to 159,600 hectares. The conservation charter establishes a project for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as a sustainable development project for the park territory and its surrounding area. It also indicates the means for implementing these actions.
Hikers will find almost 750 km of well-maintained, signposted trails in the Écrins nature reserve. In addition, there are 175 hiking and mountain biking trails in the area. The choice is yours!
Glaciers cover 7,120 hectares of high altitude. The total forest area is 41,422 hectares.
With an altitude of between 700 and 4,102 metres above sea level for the Barre des Écrins, its highest point, the park also includes several mountain pastures. These natural areas cover 104,000 hectares and are grazed in summer by sheep, cattle, goats and horses.
The Écrins National Park also boasts 2,500 plant species and a rich wildlife of over 350 types of vertebrates, as well as numerous bird and insect species, including a large number of butterflies.
We can also mention the Maison du Parc, represented by 7 refuges whose purpose is to “offer visitors documentary spaces, a store, a personalized welcome led by a hostess, a temporary or permanent exhibition space and an audiovisual and conference space”.
The Parc des Écrins, like its neighbors, the Parc national du Mercantour and the Parc naturel régional du Queyras, is one of the national parks that combines cultural and natural heritage to perfection! During your stay in Isère at the 5-star campsite with indoor heated pool in the Alps, the outdoor hotel À La Rencontre du Soleil, you’ll be just a 5-minute drive from one of the entrances to the Ecrins National Park. Take a look at our rates for mobile home, tent and camper van accommodation, and get a front-row seat to this jewel of France’s biodiversity.