Closure of Val d’Escreins
The access road to Val d’Escreins is closed to traffic due to winter weather conditions. It is due to reopen next spring.
26/11/2025
2019 130619150551 Rémi Morel Ot VarsLe Val d'Escreins
Petit Canada VarsincThe Val d’Escreins is the green lung of Vars, with its wild expanses and the Rif Bel torrent, a veritable vein of nourishing water running through the forest and rising from the mineral heights that culminate at 3385m.
Val D'escreins 89
Alpesphotographies.com Vars Val D'escreins (117)
Vars Val D Escreins Alpesphotographies Com 13We disconnect
at Val d'Eden
Since 1964, Le Val d’Escreins has been a protected nature reserve in the heart of the commune of Vars, a veritable haven of peace. On the programme: 25km² of natural space from 1600m to 3385m altitude for the summit of Font Sancte, the highest point of the reserve and the park.
The Val d’Escreins can be reached by taking the D902 road from the north side of the Col de Vars. You’ll soon feel the change in atmosphere, the powerful charge of nature that opens up before you.
2020 030620094505 Rémi Morel Ot Vars
2021 - 280721174644 - Alpes Photographies
Alpesphotographies.com Vars Val D'escreins (61)
Alpesphotographies.com Vars Val D'escreins (59)
Alpesphotographies.com Vars Val D'escreins (47)
Alpesphotographies.com Vars Val D'escreins (112)Your experience
Nature
The Val at a walk, trot or gallop
Explore the various walks on offer at your own pace. Go for a short, fun hike with the kids, go a little further if you’re a good walker and do a “3000” towards the Pointe d’Escreins via the Col des Houerts!
A lesson in flora and fauna
The best way to immerse yourself in the Val d’Escreins is to observe everything around you. Keep your eyes and ears wide open for eagles, ptarmigan, black grouse, chamois, mountain hare and the ‘star’ of our mountains, the marmot. As for the flora, don’t forget your camera, as your shots will be enhanced by a variety of flowers and other incredible natural species: Scots pine, spruce, larch, gentian, edelweiss and Alpine blue aster.
Take a break
Time for a picnic, a barbecue by the water in one of the many reserved areas or a good meal on the terrace… and time seems to stand still. The choice is yours!
Immersion
The Val d’Escreins nature reserve is accessible by car from the D902, on the upper Alpine side.
The access road is currently open until autumn and the first snow.
The Val d’Escreins offers a wide range of activities. Hiking, of course, but also trail running on our various permanent itineraries, orienteering, or simply contemplation and rejuvenation.
The Val d’Escreins is a nature reserve.
Consequently, certain rules must be respected:
-Keep your dogs on a lead
-Do not throw your rubbish in the countryside
-Bivouacs and camping are prohibited
-Do not make fires outside the designated areas (barbecue area)
-Gathering prohibited: protected species
-Do not make unnecessary noise: wild animals and herds need peace and quiet
A free shuttle service to the Val d’Escreins nature reserve from the villages of Vars, from 5 July to 31 August 2025
A breath
of nature
That’s how we like to call the Val. A land in the middle that feels a little like a parallel world. Nestling between the Vars and Queyras valleys, it forms a link between the two thanks to its jagged, aerial peaks, a veritable masterpiece of Mother Nature’s art. The impression of wild immensity with its forests, torrents and altitude, as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit the valley, have earned it the nickname of Petit Canada Varsinc. As a nature reserve, protected from any human impact, this postcard will remain unchanged in its natural purity, allowing every visitor to come and draw inspiration from it through contemplation or nature sports.
Val D'escreins 151
Val D'escreins 41
Val D'escreins 19A day in Escreins
Start your day with a hike in the Val d’Escreins. Discover the beauty of this unspoilt valley as you pass through larch forests and green mountain pastures. You may also spot wild animals such as chamois and marmots. For your lunch break, find a peaceful spot for a picnic in the heart of nature. Take the opportunity to relax and sunbathe while admiring the surrounding peaks. And for those who want to make the pleasure of a visit to the Val d’Escreins last longer, head for the refuge, which offers overnight accommodation in rooms and dormitories, as well as the more unusual option of a teepee for hikers and budding adventurers. A change of scenery is guaranteed for all those who try it, with the one and only risk of becoming addicted to this bath of nature and delicacies.
More and more
Take on the summits!
Discover some of our most beautiful sporting hikes.
Val D'escreins 118