The Écrins National Park hosts a diverse array of alpine wildlife, with the iconic Alpine ibex and chamois frequently spotted on high rocky slopes. The park serves as a sanctuary for approximately 75 breeding pairs of golden eagles, along with other raptors like bearded vultures and eagle owls. Marmots are abundant in the alpine meadows, while the elusive snow finch and alpine chough represent the park's remarkable avian diversity. The park also provides habitat for wolves, which have naturally recolonized the area in recent decades.
The park's varied elevation zones support over 2,000 plant species, making it one of the richest botanical areas in Europe. Alpine meadows burst with colorful wildflowers including edelweiss, alpine gentian, and various orchid species during the summer months. The lower slopes feature extensive forests of larch, pine, and mixed deciduous trees, while higher elevations showcase remarkable adaptations of hardy alpine plants like cushion plants and saxifrages. Several endemic species are found here, including the Ecrins poppy and various regional subspecies.
The Écrins massif represents one of the most impressive crystalline massifs in the French Alps, formed during the Alpine orogeny approximately 40 million years ago. The park's dramatic landscape features ancient metamorphic rocks, predominantly gneiss and granite, shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age. The region is characterized by deep valleys, towering peaks including the iconic Barre des Écrins (4,102m), and over 100 glaciers. This geological diversity has created numerous remarkable features, from sharp ridges and cirques to moraines and U-shaped valleys.
The Écrins region has been shaped by centuries of human presence, from prehistoric hunters to medieval farmers and modern mountaineers. The area was officially designated as a National Park in 1973, but its conservation history dates back to 1913 when it was first protected as a national game reserve. The park's cultural heritage includes ancient shepherding routes, traditional mountain villages, and religious monuments like the Notre-Dame de Vallouise chapel. Throughout history, the region has been vital for both agriculture and alpine tourism, playing a significant role in the development of European mountaineering.
The park's most distinctive features include La Meije (3,983m), a dramatic peak known for its challenging north face, and the extensive Glacier Blanc, one of the largest glaciers in the French Alps. The park contains over 740 kilometers of marked hiking trails, including the famous GR54 Tour des Écrins circuit. Notable attractions also include the traditional villages of Vallouise and La Grave, numerous mountain refuges offering overnight accommodation, and spectacular waterfalls such as the Cascade de la Pisse. The park's diverse landscape encompasses everything from Mediterranean-influenced valleys to permanent ice fields, creating unique microclimates and viewpoints.
The Écrins National Park experiences a typical high alpine climate with significant variations between seasons and elevations. Summers are relatively mild with daytime temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F), while winters are cold and snowy with temperatures often dropping below -10°C (14°F). The area receives substantial precipitation, particularly in autumn and spring, with annual snowfall creating ideal conditions for winter sports. Weather conditions can change rapidly due to the mountainous terrain, and visitors should always be prepared for sudden shifts in temperature and precipitation.
France
44.9330°, 6.3670°
1973
918
The Écrins National Park is a mountainous area featuring high peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows. It contains over 100 peaks above 3,000 meters and numerous glaciers. The park is a paradise for mountaineering, hiking, and wildlife observation.