What to do in the Southern Alps: Top 5 must-sees to visit2026 ranking

If you love hiking, backcountry camping, and nature, welcome to Queyras! You cannot help but fall in love with the beauty of the landscapes... A large part of the trails is generally accessible, much less technical than Mercantour for example! With magnificent viewpoints: Lac de Sainte-Anne and Lac Miroir near Ceillac (a gorgeous village, definitely go check it out!) and Saint-Veran. I would go back in a heartbeat, this regional park is full of wonders to discover. I have only seen it in the summer, but autumn must be stunning with its larches, and the spring blooms too... I think you can easily come back and still be completely captivated.

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.

Located on the southern slopes of the Ecrins massif, the resort is often sunny. I was lucky enough to discover it in both winter and summer, but my preference is for the summer. The choice of activities is top notch and perfect for the whole family. The lake, pool, equestrian center, and endless hiking options make for a very varied mix. I really love the hike starting from the Pic du Drouvet that leads to the Lac des Estaris, you are right in the high mountains.

The Queyras Regional Natural Park is an ideal destination for nature lovers! I loved this spot where the peaks flirt with 3000 meters of altitude, plus you can find deep forests and dizzying waterfalls! The nature reserve is crisscrossed with miles of hiking trails, and there is something for every skill level. For my part, I have a soft spot for the Ristolas reserve, at the end of the hike there is an exceptional view of Mont Viso in Italy! As for the villages, special mentions for Saint-Véran and Ristolas, mountain atmosphere with their chalets and high-altitude farms.

One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever had the chance to visit. I still remember the colors, the unique shade of the water. I was fascinated by the Saint-Michel chapel on its island in the middle of the water (accessible on foot depending on the season). It gives the place a very poetic feel. You can go swimming, go boating... In terms of activities, you will have plenty of choices.

Park with very well-marked trails for great hikes in a magnificent setting, with routes for all skill levels. You can camp in the summer (bring some warm clothes, because you are at a high altitude and the evenings are chilly), or sleep in one of the many mountain huts located throughout the park. Note that visitors are pretty respectful of nature and do not leave trash behind them. Do the same!

Great memories from a hike in this park. It is a workout because there is a lot of elevation gain, but it is not acrobatic (I do not do rock climbing). Superb views of the high mountains. We were able to see what looked like a golden eagle, a huge bird!

In the Southern Alps region, easily accessible via Briançon, Serre Chevalier is without a doubt the resort that offers the most possibilities for skiing, with many trails for different levels. I believe the ski area exceeds 200 km. Due to a lack of snow, not all trails are necessarily open though. In short, winter sports enthusiasts will have plenty to keep themselves entertained. For activities outside of skiing, there is plenty to do all year round. The only downside, and it is not a small detail, is that the lift passes are pretty expensive, about 50 euros (around $54) per day for an adult.

Nature lovers know that some of the few wolves still living in France can be found in Ecrins National Park. We headed out on a hike here with the secret hope of spotting them in the wild. No such luck, we didn't get to see any. On the other hand, we got an eyeful of some truly grand panoramas. We were also able to spot different species of wild mammals and birds. A great memory in the end.

Great natural park where the nature is magnificent. It is not quite high mountain territory, so you do not need to be a professional hiker to enjoy it. Still, it is good to be in shape to walk a few miles in the low to mid-mountain terrain. Forests, lush green valleys, little streams, small lakes, birds, birds of prey, and a few small mammals. A real feast for the eyes for anyone who knows how to observe.