Hi, thinking of going to the Ecrins national Park for a few days later this year (as a change from the Pyrenees). I see there have been lots of postings about the Ecrins before but it would be useful to know which is the best area to make for for a first time visit, and are there peaks that can be climbed without technical equipment (ie suitable for British hillwalkers with lots of hillwalking experience and a reasonable amount of scrambling experience at the easy end of the spectrum)?
I spent 2 weeks in the Ecrins last summer, 1 in the Northwest (Oisans), 1 in the Southwest (Champsaur). Both areas offered more mountain hiking and scrambling than we were able to fit in. Oisans is generally higher and steeper; Champsaur less so, especially as here the Ecrins border on the northern Provence. As we travelled at the end of the season, neither areas were overun, people were friendly, villages and towns very hospitable.
In this thread here Judy A gave me so great help on guide books for the Ecrins. Judging by the Labande Book that includes 120 tours that range between easy hikes and difficult scrambles, all areas of the Ecrins offer what you're looking for.
Not much of a specific help I guess, but definitely an overall recommendation!
