Vars, a region in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, is characterized by its diverse alpine landscapes. The terrain transitions from larch forests and flower-filled mountain pastures to rocky cliffs, providing varied environments for outdoor pursuits. Situated at high altitudes, the area offers expansive views of surrounding peaks and valleys, making it suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Vars region offers a range of outdoor activities…
63
Routes
4.1
(52)
Average rating
557
People visited

41
riders
43.3km
02:01
310m
310m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(3)
34
riders
52.0km
02:30
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

19
riders
32.4km
01:34
70m
70m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

3.0
(1)
4
riders
71.6km
03:17
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.5
(4)
18
riders
102km
06:31
760m
760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
24
riders
68.2km
03:54
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
14
riders
178km
10:58
990m
990m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
43.9km
03:33
350m
350m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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33
runners
5.24km
00:33
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

28
runners
17.9km
01:51
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
5.80km
00:36
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
11.5km
01:19
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
18
hikers
10.8km
02:46
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
hikers
10.0km
02:33
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
23
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(6)
9
hikers
8.90km
02:16
30m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.2
(11)
11
riders
51.8km
02:44
160m
160m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
18.0km
00:57
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
39.0km
02:43
310m
310m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
38.1km
02:53
290m
290m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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Vars offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, and Jogging. The region features diverse landscapes from larch forests to rocky cliffs, providing varied environments for these pursuits. On komoot, 2 routes are available, with an average rating of 4.16 stars from more than 2,000 visitors.
Vars provides numerous hiking trails for all levels. Notable areas include the Val d'Escreins Nature Reserve, high-altitude lakes like Lac Napoléon, and trails from the Col de Vars offering panoramic views. For more details, consult the Hiking around Vars guide.
Yes, Vars offers easy, well-marked thematic paths suitable for beginners and families. These trails often traverse larch forests and flower-filled mountain pastures. Interpretation trails also provide educational insights into local fauna and geology.
Key attractions include the Val d'Escreins Nature Reserve, known for its unique landscapes, and several high-altitude lakes such as Lac de l'Étoile and Lac Napoléon. The Col de Vars offers expansive panoramic views of the Ubaye and Queyras valleys. Historic hamlets like Saint-Marcellin also provide cultural interest.
The Col de Vars is a legendary road cycling climb, frequently featured in the Tour de France. It is also an integral part of the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. The ascent from Guillestre spans over 12 miles (19 kilometers) with an average gradient of 5.73%. More routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Vars guide.
Yes, Vars features an extensive Vars Bike Park with more than 120 miles (200 kilometers) of trails. These trails cater to all levels, from green and blue for beginners to technical red and black trails for experienced riders, supporting downhill, enduro, and cross-country disciplines. A notable descent offers 20 miles (32 kilometers) of trails from Mayt to Lake Serre-Ponçon.
Vars is situated at an altitude of 6,070 feet (1850 meters), providing mild temperatures even in summer, which makes it ideal for various outdoor pursuits. The region is suitable for hiking and cycling during warmer months when trails and passes are accessible.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the Vars region. These include Hiking around Vars, Cycling around Vars, Road Cycling Routes around Vars, MTB Trails around Vars, and Running Trails around Vars.
Vars is unique due to its diverse landscapes, transitioning from larch forests to rocky cliffs, and its high altitude offering panoramic views of the Écrins and Queyras massifs. The region combines the thrill of sports with the authenticity of its natural environment, including areas like the Val d'Escreins Nature Reserve.
The official website for Vars is www.vars.com. The main phone number for the Vars Tourist Office is +33 (0) 4 92 46 51 31.
Vars is situated at an altitude of 6,070 feet (1850 meters). The resort area itself spans from 5,413 feet (1,650 meters) to 9,022 feet (2,750 meters), providing a high-altitude environment for outdoor activities.

