The Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne, an hour and a half of meadows to a refuge beneath the glaciers.

This is the easy walk of the upper Romanche valley and a good first hike with children: little ascent and, at the end, a staffed refuge where you can eat something with the glaciers above you.

The route

You set off from the Pont d'Arsine car park, at 1,710 m, above Villar-d'Arêne. The refuge describes it as an easy path, with one steep stretch, that works up the upper Romanche valley to the refuge, at 2,071 m. It is 4.4 km and about 400 m of ascent: an hour and a half to get there and an hour to return the same way. The park portal's route, which loops round by the Alpe, is longer at 10.7 km, 425 m of ascent and about four and a half hours, and is also rated easy.

There are two other approaches. From the Col du Lautaret, in summer only, it is 7 km on a steep, unequipped path, an hour and a half each way. From Le Casset, in Le Monêtier-les-Bains, 10 km and 700 m of ascent, three hours each way.

The refuge

The Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge belongs to the French alpine club federation (FFCAM). In summer 2026 it is staffed from 11 June to 20 September. It serves light food all day and a lunchtime menu from 12:00 to 15:00. It does not take cards: bring cash. If you want to sleep there, see its accommodation page.

Getting to the Pont d'Arsine

By the D1091. From Grenoble, reach Villar-d'Arêne and follow the signs towards Pied du Col. From the Lautaret, go down the D1091 and likewise follow the Pied du Col direction to the Pont des Brebis. Beyond the Chambon reservoir, the Grenoble road follows a narrow emergency stretch, for cars only: motorhomes, trailers and coaches go via Gap or the Fréjus tunnel. Without a car, the Grenoble or Briançon bus stops at Villar-d'Arêne, at the Hôtel les Agneaux stop, with booking at least 24 hours ahead.