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Lac d'Arsine: Hike to the Most Spectacular Glacial Lake in Écrins National Park

Oulx, Torino · Piemonte•1 day•Hiking · 2,455 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Torino, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+18
Lac d'Arsine: Hike to the Most Spectacular Glacial Lake in Écrins National Park
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Lac d'Arsine in the Écrins

The trek to Lac d'Arsine, in the heart of the Parc National des Écrins, is one of those excursions that doesn't just take you to a lake: it accompanies you into a landscape that tells the story of the mountain's movement, ice, and time. Located in the Villar-d'Arêne area, in the Hautes-Alpes department, this itinerary is one of the most fascinating outings for those seeking a true panoramic hike in the Écrins, among alpine valleys, a high-altitude trail, moraines, and a lake that originates directly from the glacier's evolution.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

Lac d'Arsine is special precisely because of this: it's not just beautiful to see, it's a place that has an evident and very strong geomorphological history. Walking towards the lake, the landscape gradually changes and becomes increasingly mineral, more severe, more "true alpine". And when you arrive in front of the water, with the Glacier d'Arsine and its entire environment around it, the feeling is that you have entered a rare corner of the French Alps. It's the type of trek that the Guidders really appreciate: panoramic, intense, photographic, but above all, memorable.

This is one of those treks that you don't do "just to arrive", but to enjoy every change of landscape, every opening onto the valley, and every meter that takes you closer and closer to the glacial heart of the Écrins.

If you want to experience a truly iconic outing together with the community, Lac d'Arsine is the classic trek to put on your wishlist right away: an itinerary that combines powerful nature, true satisfaction, and that slightly rough beauty that the Guidders know how to recognize at first glance. This is one of those days to book as soon as it comes out.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+18 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
844 m D+ · 15 km · 9 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 9 h and 844 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Meals
✕Transport
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
844 m
Max altitude
2,455 m
Distance
15 km
Duration
9 h
Day
15 km · D+ 844 m · 9 h
Map
The stops · 15 km
Meeting point 8:00approximate
Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
08:00PARKING
Oulx Train Station Parking
And we're back, ready to kick off a new adventure!
09:40PARKING
Pont d'Arsine or Casset
We'll conduct a thorough check of your mandatory equipment (hiking boots, trekking poles, technical clothing). We'll also provide a detailed briefing on the trail leading us to 2455 meters, real-time weather updates, and safety guidelines specific to the heart of the National Park. Lake Arsine was formed in the 1950s following the retreat of the Arsine Glacier.
11:00SUMMIT
Leap by Leap to the Summit!
We begin with a winding trail that ascends through a vast scree field, offering stunning views of the Romanche River flowing through the valley below. We'll cross a charming stone and wooden ford, marking our entry into the heart of the National Park. The path continues to climb through alpine pastures and rocky terrain, gradually giving way to the stark, mineral landscape of the high mountains. As we gain altitude, the vegetation thins out, and the scenery transforms, preparing us for the glacial environment ahead. Keep an eye out for whistling marmots among the rocks, and with a bit of luck, we might spot ibex or chamois on the steeper slopes.
13:30WATER
Reaching the Old Glacier
We made it! After conquering those final slopes, the lake shimmers before us, a crystal-clear mirror at the foot of the glacier. One of the park's largest lakes, it was born from the melting of the Arsine Glacier in the 1950s. Its emerald waters perfectly reflect the surrounding peaks. Behind the lake, the Arsine Glacier remains, nestled in a vast cirque of north-facing rock walls, reaching heights of 3200 to 3600 meters. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Écrins peaks soaring above 3000 meters, the glacial cirque, and the Haute-Romanche valley stretching out below.
16:30RETURN
Heading back! / Heading home! / The trek back begins! / Time to head back down! / We're homeward bound!
We'll return to Pont d'Arsine or Le Casset, filled with the satisfaction of having discovered one of the Écrins' most iconic locations. We'll then provide a transfer back to the parking area for your departure.

How do you get to Oulx? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking poles
REQUIRED
First aid kit
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Camera
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

VS
Vittorio S.
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Vittorio, a hiking guide and nature leader. After 28 years as a scout leader I decided to start again, turning my passion for the mountains into a profession. Twenty-eight years with young people teach you two things you need out there every time: watch the group, and don't rush. I bring experience, attention and team spirit to the trail, and I love sharing nature genuinely, with respect and proper care for safety. Step by step, together. 🥾 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
Inglese
Francese
Spagnolo
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 9 h with 844 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Message Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Lac d'Arsine: Hike to the Most Spectacular Glacial Lake in Écrins National Park

Lac d'Arsine: Hike to the Most Spectacular Glacial Lake in Écrins National Park

Oulx, (TO) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 2,455 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
844 m
Max altitude
2,455 m
Distance
15 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
9 h
Guiddy points
+18
5 photos
+1 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Lac d'Arsine in the Écrins

The trek to Lac d'Arsine, in the heart of the Parc National des Écrins, is one of those excursions that doesn't just take you to a lake: it accompanies you into a landscape that tells the story of the mountain's movement, ice, and time. Located in the Villar-d'Arêne area, in the Hautes-Alpes department, this itinerary is one of the most fascinating outings for those seeking a true panoramic hike in the Écrins, among alpine valleys, a high-altitude trail, moraines, and a lake that originates directly from the glacier's evolution.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

Lac d'Arsine is special precisely because of this: it's not just beautiful to see, it's a place that has an evident and very strong geomorphological history. Walking towards the lake, the landscape gradually changes and becomes increasingly mineral, more severe, more "true alpine". And when you arrive in front of the water, with the Glacier d'Arsine and its entire environment around it, the feeling is that you have entered a rare corner of the French Alps. It's the type of trek that the Guidders really appreciate: panoramic, intense, photographic, but above all, memorable.

This is one of those treks that you don't do "just to arrive", but to enjoy every change of landscape, every opening onto the valley, and every meter that takes you closer and closer to the glacial heart of the Écrins.

If you want to experience a truly iconic outing together with the community, Lac d'Arsine is the classic trek to put on your wishlist right away: an itinerary that combines powerful nature, true satisfaction, and that slightly rough beauty that the Guidders know how to recognize at first glance. This is one of those days to book as soon as it comes out.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
844 m D+ · 15 km · 9 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 9 h and 844 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✕Meals
✕Transport

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Stops · 15 km
Meeting point 8:00Oulx
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
08:00PARKING
Oulx Train Station Parking
And we're back, ready to kick off a new adventure!
09:40PARKING
Pont d'Arsine or Casset
We'll conduct a thorough check of your mandatory equipment (hiking boots, trekking poles, technical clothing). We'll also provide a detailed briefing on the trail leading us to 2455 meters, real-time weather updates, and safety guidelines specific to the heart of the National Park. Lake Arsine was formed in the 1950s following the retreat of the Arsine Glacier.
11:00SUMMIT
Leap by Leap to the Summit!
We begin with a winding trail that ascends through a vast scree field, offering stunning views of the Romanche River flowing through the valley below. We'll cross a charming stone and wooden ford, marking our entry into the heart of the National Park. The path continues to climb through alpine pastures and rocky terrain, gradually giving way to the stark, mineral landscape of the high mountains. As we gain altitude, the vegetation thins out, and the scenery transforms, preparing us for the glacial environment ahead. Keep an eye out for whistling marmots among the rocks, and with a bit of luck, we might spot ibex or chamois on the steeper slopes.
13:30WATER
Reaching the Old Glacier
We made it! After conquering those final slopes, the lake shimmers before us, a crystal-clear mirror at the foot of the glacier. One of the park's largest lakes, it was born from the melting of the Arsine Glacier in the 1950s. Its emerald waters perfectly reflect the surrounding peaks. Behind the lake, the Arsine Glacier remains, nestled in a vast cirque of north-facing rock walls, reaching heights of 3200 to 3600 meters. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Écrins peaks soaring above 3000 meters, the glacial cirque, and the Haute-Romanche valley stretching out below.
16:30RETURN
Heading back! / Heading home! / The trek back begins! / Time to head back down! / We're homeward bound!
We'll return to Pont d'Arsine or Le Casset, filled with the satisfaction of having discovered one of the Écrins' most iconic locations. We'll then provide a transfer back to the parking area for your departure.

How do you get to Oulx? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking poles
REQUIRED
First aid kit
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Camera
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

VS
Vittorio S.
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Vittorio, a hiking guide and nature leader. After 28 years as a scout leader I decided to start again, turning my passion for the mountains into a profession. Twenty-eight years with young people teach you two things you need out there every time: watch the group, and don't rush. I bring experience, attention and team spirit to the trail, and I love sharing nature genuinely, with respect and proper care for safety. Step by step, together. 🥾 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 9 h with 844 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed