Ecrins National Park, France

Tell me more
If you love mountains this is for you. We return every year for walking in October and winter activities in January.

Destination
Ecrins National Park, Hautes-Alpes, France.
Écrins National Park - Wikipedia

What are we doing
We need to have some flexibility to cater for prevailing weather conditions and group ability, however our plan includes the following:

• a) Hike to the summit of Pic de Morgan. Pic de Morgon - Wikipedia.
  We park at an altitude of approximately 1,700m & hike to the summit at 2,300m. The return route can be varied according to circumstances at the time.
• b) Low altitude walk in the vicinity of our accommodation. Possibly close to the lake Serre-Poncon and town of Embrun.
• c) Hike to an altitude of approximately 2,100m on Les Aiguilles de Chabrieres. Aiguilles de Chabrières - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. We park at an altitude of approximately 1,600m. We can extend the route if conditions are good.
• d) If you like open water swimming you may like to swim in Lac de Serre-Ponçon.

Accommodation
Our accommodation will be a well-equipped former farmhouse in the mountain village of Pra Perier. Pra Périer Map - Hamlet - Hautes-Alpes, France - Mapcarta

There are two twin rooms & two double rooms available to us.
Our hosts live in a separate part of the building & may join us for some activities, drinks etc.
Check in from 4pm on Saturday 4 October.
Check out before 11am on Saturday 11 October.

A shorter or longer stay may be possible by arrangement.

Eating and drinking

• Full self-catering facilities are available to us with help yourself tea & coffee.
• Catering may be provided on one or two evenings if there is sufficient demand.
• Self service continental breakfast is included.
• Packed lunches may be booked in advance or prepared by yourself.
• In the evenings we can prepare our own food or drive to a local village to eat or get a takeaway.
• If you like beer we can visit Serre-Ponçon craft brewery - Organic beers brewed with water from the Ecrins!
• If you like wine we can visit The Cave des Hautes Vignes | Hautes-Alpes IGP wines
• Beer and wine are available at our accommodation on a 'pay as you go' basis.

Travel options
You can make your own travel arrangements according to your preferences. Options include the following:

• By car (transport free of charge) with Carl departing Reading on 3 October. There will be an overnight stop (accommodation cost not included).
• By car (transport free of charge) with Carl departing Pra Perier on 11 October. There will be an overnight stop (accommodation cost not included).
• Fly to Lyon and transfer by car with Carl between Lyon and Pra Perier.
• Fly to Marseille & bus to Tallard. The early BA flight from Heathrow is a good option to get the bus transfer to Tallard. Free pick up & transfer by car between Tallard and Pra Perier (this is the organisers tried & tested route).
• It is possible to travel by train via Paris and Marseille.

Please secure your place on this trip before booking any flights or other transport.
Carl can give detailed advice about travel options.

Basic holiday price of £390 includes:

• Car transfer between Pra Perier and Reading or Lyon or Tallard.
• 7 nights accommodation at Pra Perier. Sharing a twin or double room.
• Self catering facilities.
• Tea & coffee consumed at Pra Perier.
• Daily travel by car to various locations.

Costs not included in the basic holiday price

• Overnight accommodation if traveling by car with Carl. Budget cost is £75 per night.
• Flights. Typically £150 return fare.
• Bus (return journey) from Tallard to Marseille airport. Typically, 30 euros.
• Pay as you go for food, drinks, personal expenses etc.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional packed lunches, wine and beer at Pra Perier.

How do I secure a place on this trip

• Message Carl R to check availability.
• Secure your accommodation and seat in the car by paying £100 deposit.
• Arrange your travel to suit your requirements and let Carl have details.
• Pay second instalment of £150 no later than 9 August 2025.
• Pay third & final instalment of £140 on 20 September 2025.

Your responsibility

• To have suitable hiking clothes & equipment.
• If you are not sure about anything, including your ability to do the walks, please discuss with Carl in advance so that you can make an informed decision.
• You must take full responsibility for your own welfare & safety.
• You sign up for and attend the walks at your own risk.
• This Meetup group does not have insurances to cover your activity.

Finally
Please message Carl R if you need additional information.
If you sign up for this trip you will be added to a WhatsApp group.