Mountaineers facing the Dôme des Écrins from Roche Faurio
BACK TO Sommets à la carte
MountaineeringEcrins

Roche Faurio - 3730m

Roche Faurio is a must-do summit in the Écrins massif! Modest technical difficulties and very limited risks, a beautiful and varied route, and sweeping views across much of the Alps make it an accessible classic if you’re in good physical shape. And if conditions are right, you’ll be treated to a magnificent sunrise in the mountains!

My advice

If you have a little more time to discover mountaineering and would like a more immersive and rewarding experience, take a look at the three-day introductory mountaineering course.

Day 1 – Hike to the Glacier Blanc Shelter

We’ll meet at the Glacier Blanc mountain hut in the late afternoon. Together, we’ll prepare for our climb the next day. Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.

Elevation Gain: Approximately 750 m | Maximum Altitude: 2,500 m | Accommodations: Dinner and overnight stay at the Glacier Blanc mountain hut

 

Day 2 – Climb up Roche Faurio (3,730 m)

Today we’re heading toward one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the Ecrins. First, we’ll climb the entire length of the Glacier Blanc, partly at night, and be treated to the first light of dawn on the slopes of Roche Faurio. Then, via an easy and scenic route, we’ll reach the secondary summit of Roche Faurio, where we’ll take in an unforgettable 360° view. The ascent ends there—unless the final 50 meters of rocky, very exposed ridge tempt you! We’ll then descend to the Glacier Blanc refuge, where our paths will part.


Elevation Gain: About 1,200 m | Elevation Loss: About 1,950 m | Maximum Altitude: 3,750 m

Disclaimer: The itinerary is provided for informational purposes only. The guide has sole discretion over the itinerary and may modify it at any time for safety reasons, depending on weather and snow conditions, or based on the climbers’ physical and technical abilities. If weather forecasts make the planned ascents unfeasible, the guide will suggest an alternative summit.

Technical Details

Duration
2 days
Massif
Ecrins
Participants
5
Season
From June to October
Rates
Guiding fee250€
Trip expensesFrom 80€
Download trip sheet (PDF)

Booking & advice by phone available

Photo Gallery

Vue sur les étoiles de nuit pendant un stage autonomie
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
La cordée sur la neige près du sommet de la Roche Faurio.
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Alpinistes au point de demi-tour pendant l’ascension de Roche Faurio
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Entre poésie et science, exploration du bleu du ciel dans les Écrins
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Roche Faurio - 3730m
La cordée descend les pentes enneigées de Roche Faurio, avec les sommets des Écrins en arrière-plan.
Tom apparaît derrière un ressaut rocheux pendant l’ascension du Râteau Ouest.
Progression à califourchon sur l’arête sommitale enneigée de Roche Faurio.
Silhouette du mont Viso au loin, au-dessus de plusieurs plans de montagnes vus depuis Roche Faurio.
Roche Faurio - 3730m
Un alpiniste à cheval sur l’étroite arête enneigée de Roche Faurio, au-dessus des versants rocheux.
Roche Faurio - 3730m

Related Trip Reports

Descente en cordée sur le glacier sous la Roche Faurio pendant un séjour d’initiation à l’alpinisme.
June 30, 2019

Introductory Mountaineering Course

Two or three days discovering mountaineering in the Écrins: Glacier Blanc, Pic d’Arsine and Roche Faurio, with sunny naps and a start under the stars.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Group of mountaineers high on Roche Faurio
June 18, 2019

Roche Faurio

Climbing Roche Faurio in the Écrins: glaciers, fresh snow and an alpine start for a beautiful journey through the high mountains to 3,730 m.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roped climbers on the snowy slopes of the Glacier Blanc during an introductory mountaineering course in the Écrins.
June 16, 2019

Introductory Mountaineering Course

Three days discovering mountaineering in the Écrins: glacier skills, the Bosse d’Arsine and Roche Faurio, with plenty of laughter along the way.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Stunning mountain scenery with Mont Pelvoux in the background
May 26, 2019

First Steps Towards Mountaineering Autonomy

Four days of mountaineering in the Écrins, combining snow, rock and glacier terrain from Pic d’Arsine to Roche Faurio, with spring feeling more like winter.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Exploring the blue of the sky at altitude during a mountaineering trip in the Écrins
July 16, 2018

How blue is the sky?

With Pauline and Sébastien, three days of mountaineering in the Écrins to explore the blue of the sky: a project blending poetry, science and curiosity.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Tom and Jérémie roped up on a snowy slope of Roche Faurio, with the Barre des Écrins behind them.
July 8, 2018

Beginner Self-Reliance Course

Crampons, glaciers and ridges: a guide’s account of a beginner mountaineering course, from Pic d’Arsine to the Bruyère ridge, building independence.

READ THE ARTICLE→
The roped participants follow a snow track on Roche Faurio, with the Écrins glaciers below.
June 17, 2017

Introductory Course in Rock Climbing at Faurio

Three days of beginner mountaineering with Jérôme, Thibaut, Fabien and Charly, from Pic d’Arsine to Roche Faurio, with a sunrise worth the early start.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roped mountaineers on the snowy slopes of Roche Faurio in golden morning light.
June 10, 2017

Roche Faurio

A mountaineering introduction in the Écrins, from Roche Faurio to the Dôme des Écrins: two guides, different ambitions and the shared joy of being up high.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Mountaineer traversing a ridge with the Barre des Écrins in the background
September 1, 2016

Independent Mountaineering Skills Course in the Écrins

Four days of mountaineering in the Écrins with Clément and Raphaël: first summits, new skills and beautiful memories on the path to independence.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Group selfie of four participants and their guide during a mountaineering course in the Écrins
June 18, 2016

Mountaineering introduction trip

Three days of introductory mountaineering in the Écrins: Glacier Blanc, Pic d’Arsine and a retreat on Roche Faurio in surprisingly wintry June snow.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Franck, Adrien and Marion move roped together along a snowy ridge towards the fore-summit of Roche Faurio.
June 8, 2016

Introductory Mountaineering Course

Three days of beginner mountaineering in the Écrins with Franck, Adrien and Marion, from the Pic d’Arsine traverse to a snowy summit on Roche Faurio.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Stage initiation, last but not least — photo 1
September 20, 2015

Introductory workshop, last but not least

The last introductory mountaineering course of the year. It’s starting to feel like the end of the season: the mountain huts aren’t really open anymore, and the guides are talking about nothing but vacation....

READ THE ARTICLE→
Stage autonomie — photo 1
July 13, 2015

Independence Training Course

A climbing course with a really friendly group of French and Basque climbers! Some are here to get started in mountaineering, while others want to learn the basics of self-reliance... I'll take everyone's goals into account!!

READ THE ARTICLE→
The group smiles and raises their arms on the summit, with a glacier and Écrins peaks behind them.
July 4, 2015

Mountaineering Introduction

In a heatwave, we get a taste of mountaineering in the Écrins, with ice skills, summits and naps in the sun. Suffering seems to be in short supply.

READ THE ARTICLE→
A guide grins with a carrot in his mouth as the group poses behind him on the summit of Pic d’Arsine.
June 26, 2015

Mountainerring introduction

We spend three days learning the ropes in the Écrins, from Glacier Blanc to Pic d’Arsine and Roche Faurio, with summit naps and hut carbonara thrown in.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Five roped mountaineers walk in crampons across a snow slope facing the Pelvoux massif.
June 24, 2015

Mountaineering Introduction course

With Alice, Florian, Lise, Yauric and Denis, we spend four days getting to grips with mountaineering in the Écrins, finishing with sunrise on Roche Faurio.

READ THE ARTICLE→
A mountaineer in red slides down the snow on their seat, with the Dôme des Écrins behind.
June 20, 2015

Mountaineering introduction

We start the mountaineering season in the Écrins with two introductory days, from first steps in crampons on Glacier Blanc to sunrise on Roche Faurio.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roche Faurio — photo 1
September 22, 2013

Faurio Rock

One last trip to the Glacier Blanc area...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roche for you — photo 1
July 19, 2013

Roche for You

A small ice climbing school two years ago had really made an impression on Valérie and Eric... This year, they're coming back to see what's happening "higher up" for three days. Claire and Vincent are...

READ THE ARTICLE→
La tête dans les nuages — photo 1
July 16, 2013

Head in the Clouds

Three days of introductory training with Pascal, Agnès, Hervé, and Raoul... The clouds swirl around us a bit, creating mind-blowing atmospheres. After the ice climbing course on the first day, where we got our first taste...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roche Faurio — photo 1
June 29, 2013

Faurio Rock

Sometimes it's wise to adjust your plans when you're in the mountains...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Stage initiation alpinisme Ecrins — photo 1
August 22, 2012

Introductory Mountaineering Course in the Ecrins

Four wonderful days spent climbing in the mornings and relaxing in the afternoons. What a blast! With this heat wave, we’re more than happy to head up to the mountains for a bit of cool air.

READ THE ARTICLE→
Ecole de glace et Roche faurio — photo 1
July 22, 2012

Faurio Ice and Rock School

Here are a few photos from two really fun days spent with Augustin, Sylvain, Jean-Marc, Isabelle, Gérard, Pascal, Bruno, and Céline, led by two guides whose professionalism is legendary...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Dôme des Ecrins en 3 jours — photo 1
July 18, 2012

Dôme des Ecrins in 3 Days

Three days of joy and good cheer high in the mountains, all under a storm of blue skies! What more could you ask for?

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roche Faurio - Voie normale — photo 1
July 5, 2012

Roche Faurio - Normal Route

On this fourth day of the climbing course, Hans, Catherine, and I climbed the standard route up Roche Faurio, which ends with a short, very exposed rocky ridge... Hans led the climb in...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Roche Faurio — photo 1
July 28, 2011

Faurio Rock

I'll leave it to my two companions—both journalists by trade—to report on our climb up Roche Faurio, which we undertook to prepare for the ascent of Mount...

READ THE ARTICLE→
Contact the guide 👋