Écrins (Dauphiné)

The area lying to the south of the Mt Blanc Range is also known as the also known as the Dauphiné, Oisan, or Massif de Pelvoux, and is probably the second most popular alpine destination for British mountaineers.

Major peaks include the Barre Des Écrins and the Meije.

Multi-activity:

Cicerone - Mountain Adventures in The Maurienne

£14.95

This guide offers readers all the inspiration they need for a multi-activity holiday in the Haute Maurienne (also known as the Vanoise and Dauphiné), in the French Alps. With many suggestions for day walks, mountaineering routes, via ferratas, rock climbs, mountain biking, road cycling and long-distance treks, there's something here for everyone in your party.

More info »

Alpine:

AC - The 4000m Peaks of the Alps

A comprehensive guide to the classic routes on the 4000m peaks of the Alps. The guide is written for the summer mountaineer and as well as the easy and popular (not to say overcrowded) voie normals, includes virtually all the other routes on each peak that are not pointless or dangerous. Out of print - new edition due May 2012.

More info »

Bâton Wicks - The Alpine 4000m Peaks

£18.99

A great guide to all the major alpine peaks with lots of information about their easier routes of ascent. Superb colour photos.

More info »

Editions Constant - Écrins East, Cerces, Queyras (Volume 1) - Snow and Mixed Climbs

£31.95

The Écrins, also known as the Dauphinée is very popular with British alpinists and this splendid colour photo topo guide should be too. From easy snow routes to mixed climbs, couloirs and gullies, Sébastien Constant provides the most extensive overview of mountaineering routes in the Écrins (East), Cerces and Queyras yet published, unearthing forgotten gems and re-describing the area’s great classics.

More info »

AC - Écrins Massif, Cerces and Queyras - Selected Climbs

£17.50

A selected alpine climbing guide to the area often known by Brits as the Dauphiné. It includes such major peaks as the Meije, the Barres des Ecrins, Mont Pelvous and the spectacular 'Lord of the Rings' peak otherwise known as the Aguille Dibona. Major centres are La Bérade, Ailefroide, Les Etages, Champarent, St Christophe-en-Oisans and La Grave. It is probably the second most popular alpine area with British climbers - and rightly so.

More info »

West Col - Écrins Park

£11.95

An alpine climbing and walking guide to the Écrins National Park. It gives a selection of easier mountaineering routes and the walks include the GR54 (the Tour de l'Oisans).

More info »

Ice Climbing:

Versante Sud - Alpine Ice

£31.50

Detailed topo guide to icefalls in the alpine ares of France, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy, well illustrated with photos, photodiagrams and maps and in English throughout. As a book of ideas of where to go and day dream about it is without competition.

More info »

Editions Ice Connection - Cascades Oisans aux 6 Vallées Volume 1

£26.95

A phototopo guide in two volumes to the extensive winter icefall climbing in the Oisan/Dauphiné area in the northern Écrin. Volume 1 covers Basse Romanche, Eau D'Olle, Lignare - Ornon, Villard-Reymond, Bourg-d'Oisans, Villard-Notre-Dame, and Alpe d'Huez all based around Bourg-d'Oisans and not too far from Grenoble.

More info »

Editions Ice Connection - Cascades Oisans aux 6 Vallées Volume 2

£26.95

A photo-topo guide to the extensive winter icefall climbing in the Oisan/Dauphinée area. Volume 2 covers Vallee du Veneon, Vallon du Diable, Rampe des Commeres, Vallee de Malaval, Les Freaux and La Grave.

More info »

Bouldering:

tmms Verlag - Blocheart (2004)

Out of Print

Subtitled, "Bouldern im herzen der alpen" - ie a bouldering guide, mainly to the alpine regions of Switzerland, but the cover extends as far south as Ailfroide in the French Dauphinee, and as far east as Sellapass in Austria.

More info »

Walking:

Cicerone - Écrins National Park

£14.00

This guidebook describes 70 mountain walking routes in the Écrins National Park. Easily reached from Grenoble, the Massif des Écrins is one of the most spectacular regions in all the Alps.

More info »