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Hiking by department · 05

Hiking in Hautes-Alpes

314

routes

10.8 km

median distance

556 m

median elevation gain

The Hautes-Alpes post the highest climbing in the catalogue: a median of 556 metres, with a top decile past the kilometre. This is not a department for improvising.

Névache opens the Clarée valley, known for its larches and high lakes. Ristolas gives onto the Queyras and Monte Viso; Vallouise-Pelvoux, Puy-Saint-Vincent and Le Monêtier-les-Bains serve the Écrins national park.

The department claims some of the best sunshine in France, but altitude rules: late-day storms are common in summer and the passes clear late.

When to go — Late June to October for high routes; start early, as storms often break in the early afternoon.

OpenRando lists 314 hiking routes in Hautes-Alpes. The median distance is 10.8 km, and most routes fall between 6.0 and 18.3 km — from an afternoon loop to a full day out.

On the climbing side, the median elevation gain is 556 m, and the most demanding routes exceed 1,063 m. Enough range to pick your effort by season and by form.

The most common starting points cluster around: Névache, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Ristolas, Le Monêtier-les-Bains, Vallouise-Pelvoux, Villar-d'Arêne. Every route comes with its GPX track, elevation profile and interactive map.

Longest routes in Hautes-Alpes

  • Boucle Ruisseau de la Pisse – Cascade de la Pisse au départ de Ceillac29.3 km
  • Boucle Plateau d'Emparis – Lac Noir au départ de La Grave28.8 km
  • Boucle Le col d’Arsine – Lac de la Douche au départ de Le Monêtier-les-Bains27.3 km

All routes in Hautes-Alpes