Écrins National Park: A Majestic Alpine Wilderness

Écrins National Park, one of France's ten national parks, is a sprawling protected area that straddles the Isère and Hautes-Alpes departments. Established in 1973, the park encompasses 918 square kilometers (354 sq mi) of high mountain terrain in the Dauphiné Alps, south of Grenoble and north of Gap. The park's boundaries largely coincide with the Massif des Écrins, characterized by rugged peaks, extensive glacier fields, alpine meadows, and subalpine woodlands.The park's dramatic landscape is sculpted by glaciers and rivers, including the Romanche, Durance, and Drac. Rising to 4,102 meters (13,458 ft) at the Barre des Écrins, the park boasts numerous summits exceeding 3,000 meters. Popular peaks include La Meije (3,983 m) and Mont Pelvoux (3,946 m). Approximately 740 km of maintained trails wind through the park, catering to hikers of all levels. The park also features around thirty mountain refuges, offering shelter and respite for trekkers.The park's rich biodiversity includes a third of France's plant species and diverse animal life such as hares, marmots, foxes, chamois, and golden eagles. Some visitors have even reported sightings of wolves. The park's seven valleys—Briançonnais, Vallouise, Embrunais, Champsaur, Valgaudemar, Valbonnais, and Oisans—each offer unique landscapes and cultural features. Popular activities include hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and, in winter, snowshoeing and ski touring.