Larche: Cross-country Ski Trails, Mountain Paths and Alpine Forts

Larche is a destination for a stay where alpine paths, cross-country skiing and history all play a part. The cross-country ski area is close to the Italian border; in the Vallon du Lauzanier, paths lead through alpine landscapes to a high-altitude mountain lake. There are also routes to fortifications and cycling routes with varying profiles. You can therefore focus your trip on ski trails, hiking destinations, culture or cycling.

Cross-country skiing and paths in the Vallon du Lauzanier

Larche’s cross-country ski area has 40 kilometres of ski trails at altitudes between 1,700 and 2,000 metres. The routes are suitable for all ability levels and pass through protected landscapes, including the Parc national du Mercantour. The altitude and length of the trail network give you specific guidance when cross-country skiing is to be an important part of your stay.

The Vallon du Lauzanier is a glacial valley with protected alpine landscapes and flower-filled meadows. Marmots are easy to spot along the path. A marked trail leads to Lac du Lauzanier, at an altitude of 2,284 metres; the hike is described as suitable for families. The mountain lake and the local flora and fauna highlight different aspects of the valley.

There is a special access rule for winter visits: in winter, the Vallon du Lauzanier can only be reached on cross-country skis, using the groomed and marked trails in the Larche cross-country ski area. These pass through the core zone of the Parc national du Mercantour. If you plan to visit the valley in winter, you should therefore take the specified means of travel into account.

Remembrance trail and Alpine Maginot Line

The SES Costa de Beauregard Remembrance Trail starts in the village of Larche and passes through five fortifications in the mountain pastures above the village. The route thus combines a hike with several historic structures. Fort de Saint-Ours haut, part of the Alpine Maginot Line, is also located near Larche; it defended the approach to the Col de Larche.

Fort de Saint-Ours haut is regularly open to visitors from May to September, exclusively as part of a guided tour. The tour lasts two hours, including one hour in underground galleries where the temperature is around 10 to 12°C. Check the availability of the tour before your trip, and take both its duration and the temperature in the galleries into account when planning.

Another fortification near Larche is Fort de Roche-la-Croix, at an altitude of 1,900 metres. It was excavated into the rock and is also part of the Alpine Maginot Line. Historically, it was intended to prevent enemy troops from advancing over the Col de Larche. Together, the two forts illustrate different structures along the same defensive line: Saint-Ours haut, with its guided tour, and Roche-la-Croix, with its rock-cut construction.

Cycling routes and destinations in the surrounding area

The route to Pont Rouge reaches its endpoint after five kilometres. A path then leads back to the village of Larche and connects to the road to the Col de Larche. Depending on the variant, the marked Transubayenne route connects Lac de Serre-Ponçon with either the Col de Larche or the Col de Vars. It is divided into eleven sections of varying difficulty. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider both the pass connection and the different demands of each section.

Further afield, in Val d'Oronaye near Larche, a hike described as suitable for families leads to the turquoise Lac de l'Oronaye and Lac de Roburent. The Col de Roburent marks the border with Italy there. The two lakes and the mountain pass give this hike a different focus from the route to Lac du Lauzanier alone.

Also in Val d'Oronaye is the church of Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel. Built in 1959, it has a distinctive square bell tower. Together with the forts and the Remembrance Trail, it adds another cultural point of interest near Larche to the area’s nature and hiking destinations.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Michel-L'observatoire, Bevons, Valensole, Montsalier, Saint-Andrè-Les-Alpes, Châteauneuf-Miravail, Saint-Jean, Aubenas-Les-Alpes.

Go to the main travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.