Hautes-Alpes: Trails, Heritage and Mountain Nature

Forest trails, notable fortifications and routes through mountain landscapes reveal the many sides of Hautes-Alpes. The Forêt départementale de Beynaves is a specific destination for nature and a day out; in Briançon and Mont-Dauphin, the Vauban fortifications take centre stage. The places you visit can also help determine the right base for your trip.

Forest and trails: getting outdoors

The Forêt départementale de Beynaves is a protected mountain natural area at an altitude of more than 1,000 metres. On site, there are toilets, a picnic area, a water point and shaded places to rest. A 300-metre nature discovery trail is accessible to wheelchair users. The site therefore combines the chance to experience nature with practical facilities for a break. To get there, take the A51, exit 23, then the N75 and the roads towards Orpierre; check the route before setting off.

The Hautes-Alpes PDIPR has several aims for helping people find their way along the trails: preserving rural paths, maintaining route continuity and ensuring their quality through regular upkeep. On Alpes Rando, you can select hiking routes in Hautes-Alpes using various criteria and download descriptions and tracks for free. Check that the digital service is available before using it. The Parc national des Écrins also offers guided discovery outings and stays led by professionals, if you would like to include a guided experience in your travel plans.

Vauban heritage and culture in the département

Briançon and Mont-Dauphin are two of the twelve major Vauban sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For planning a cultural stay, you could also visit the Musée muséum départemental des Hautes-Alpes. Its permanent exhibitions and cultural programme explore the cultural and natural history of the département. Topics range from natural history, fine and decorative arts, archaeology and ethnology to contemporary works; the exhibits span five floors and 1,600 square metres.

The Sacré Dauphiné exhibition explores 1,500 years of Christian objects and architecture in the Southern Alps. Music is also part of the cultural offering: the Festival de Chaillol brings together classical music, jazz, world music and contemporary creations. Every autumn, Orpierre hosts an event featuring heritage fruit varieties, tastings and grafting workshops. Exhibitions and festival programmes may change, so check the current museum and festival programme, as well as the dates of the autumn event, before your visit.

Reasons to visit: cycling, winter and water

La Durance à vélo connects Briançon and Avignon over 438 kilometres and nine stages. The first stage runs from Le Monêtier-les-Bains to L’Argentière-La Bessée: forests, mountain streams and villages of stone and wood characterise the described route at the foot of the glaciers. The stage length and route give you a concrete framework for planning if you would like to make a multi-stage cycling route the focus of your trip.

Winter activities also offer a range of experiences. Les Orres offers skiing above Lac de Serre-Ponçon and Embrun. Many ski areas in Hautes-Alpes also offer winter trail-running programmes, with alpine panoramas and varied routes. Lac de Serre-Ponçon is described as Europe’s largest artificial lake. Activities available there include paddling, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, swimming and boating; the specific offering depends on the season and the providers.

Choose your hotel location to suit your travel plans

When choosing where to stay, it is worth comparing your options with the destinations that will shape your trip. Compare the locations of the hotels you are considering with the specific places and activities in your itinerary, rather than assuming one base will suit every plan. Whether you prioritise trails, culture, cycling, winter sports or water activities will determine which details you may want to focus on as you plan.

Discover more destinations: Vallouise, Château-Ville-Vieille, La Motte-En-Champsaur, Baratier, La Saulce, Orpierre, Saint-Martin-De-Queyrières, La Beaume, La Chapelle-En-Valgaudémar, Saint-Firmin, Jarjayes, Réotier, Veynes, Manteyer, Laye, Ristolas, Saint-Michel-De-Chaillol, Rochebrune, Le Glaizil, Savournon, Saint-Pierre-D'argençon, Saint-Bonnet-En-Champsaur, Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes, Briancon, Serres, Saint-Crépin, Ribiers, Vars, Villar-D'arêne, Les Infournas, Montmaur, Saint-André-de-Rosans, Poligny, Les Vigneaux, Espinasses, Saint-Eusèbe-En-Champsaur, Eygliers, Chorges, Aspres-Sur-Buëch, Arvieux, Ancelle, Crots, Saint-Chaffrey, Sainte-Colombe, Guillestre, Savines-Le-Lac, Ceillac, L'argentière-La-Bessée, Gap, Buissard, Embrun, La Grave, Le Sauze-Du-Lac, Les Orres, Barret-sur-Méouge, Prunières, Ribeyret, Aspremont, Aiguilles, Freissinières, Saint-Julien-En-Beauchêne, Val-Des-Prés, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Abries, Champoléon, Saint-André-Dʼembrun, Villar-Saint-Pancrace, Chabestan, Montbrand, Saint-Julien-En-Champsaur, Cervières, Saint-Véran, Crévoux, Rosans, Puy-Sanières, Ventavon, Chabottes, Saint-Auban-D'oze, Salérans, La Roche-Des-Arnauds, La Bâtie-Montsaléon, La Joue Du Loup, Sigoyer, Saint-Apollinaire, Le Monêtier-Les-Bains, Montgenevre, Châteauroux-Les-Alpes, Mont-Dauphin, Lagrand, Tallard, Orcières, Réallon, Risoul, Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas, Molines-En-Queyras, Saint-Jacques-En-Valgodemard, Laragne-Montéglin, Saint-Blaise, Névache, La Salle Les Alpes, Puy-Saint-Pierre, Pelvoux, La Bâtie-Neuve, Puy-Saint-André, La Freissinouse, Aups, La Bâtie-Vieille, Trescléoux, Le Poët, Champcella, Dévoluy, La Piarre, Eyguians, Furmeyer, Neffes, L'epine, Sainte-Catherine

For the broader travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.