Visiting Ecrins National Park
Spanning the French departments of Isere and Hautes-Alpes, Ecrins National Park covers the majority of the mountain range of the same name. Recognized as a protected area by international nature conservation organizations, the park offers visitors a chance to explore a landscape with preserved flora and fauna.
A reserve over a century old
1913, creation of the Pare de la Berarde
In December 1913, the French state acquired 4,000 hectares of mountain terrain in Isere, at the heart of the Ecrins massif, to establish the Parc de la Berarde. This initiative was modeled after the Swiss Engadine reserve, which had been founded four years earlier.
The initial goal was simply to halt the expansion of grazing lands, which were devastating mountain forests and accelerating soil erosion. Just as authorities began attempting to provide a new scientific and protective framework for French natural parks, World War I broke out and delayed the process.
A reserve that would expand and change its name
In 1923, the park expanded to 13,000 hectares. Over the following 50 years, it was renamed three times, becoming the Parc national de l'Oisans, the Parc national du Pelvoux, and finally Ecrins National Park. In the years that followed, major efforts were made to protect flora and fauna, and even to reintroduce species such as the ibex and, more recently, the wolf.
What to see today in Ecrins National Park
Ecrins National Park now spans 91,800 hectares with elevations ranging from 800m to 4,102m. It is the quintessential mountain park, featuring over 100 peaks above 3,000m and roughly 40 glaciers. Hikers can traverse well-maintained trails and stay overnight in one of the 32 mountain refuges. The park also contains several large lakes, including the highest, Lac du Pave, perched at an altitude of 2,820m.
Visitors may spot rare wildlife, such as the golden eagle, Alpine ibex, gray wolf, or Eurasian lynx. This mountain reserve is a rewarding destination for nature enthusiasts.
The park is home to many summits where glaciers are hidden, and some peaks even reach 4,000 meters in altitude. For my part, I stopped at 3,000! And it was already extraordinary, the mountains, the birds of prey, and the silence. Les Ecrins is worth the trip! Plan for several days to discover this huge territory. Plus, I was able to spot several chamois, a beautiful moment.