The Dauphiné

Dauphiné

The Dauphiné or Dauphiné Viennois is a former province in southeastern France, whose area roughly corresponded to that of the present departments of :Isère, :Drôme, and :Hautes-Alpes....

 Alps

Alps

The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....

are a group of mountain ranges in southeastern France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, west of the main chain of the Alps. They are separated from the Cottian Alps

Cottian Alps

The Cottian Alps are a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps. They form the border between France and Italy...

 in the east by the Col du Galibier

Col du Galibier

Col du Galibier is a mountain pass in the southern region of the French Dauphiné Alps near Grenoble. It is the ninth highest paved road in the Alps and the sixth highest mountain pass. It is often the highest point of the Tour de France....

 and the upper Durance

Durance

The Durance is a major river in south-eastern France.Its source is in the south-western Alps, in Montgenèvre ski resort near Briançon and it flows south-west through the following départements and cities:* Hautes-Alpes: Briançon, Embrun.* Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Sisteron, Manosque.* Vaucluse:...

 valley; from the western Graian Alps

Graian Alps

The Graian Alps are a mountain range in the western part of the Alps. They are located in France , Italy , and Switzerland...

 (Vanoise Massif

Vanoise Massif

The Vanoise massif is a mountain range in the Graian Alps in the western part of the Alps.-Principal summits:The principal summits of the Vanoise massif are:...

) in the north-east by the river Arc

Arc (Savoie)

The Arc is a 128 km long river in the Savoie département of south-eastern France. It is a left tributary of the Isère River, which it joins at Chamousset, approximately 15 km downstream from Albertville. Its source is near the border with Italy, in the Graian Alps, northeast of Bonneval-sur-Arc...

; from the lower ranges Vercors Plateau

Vercors Plateau

The Vercors is a range of plateaux and mountains in the départements of Isère and Drôme in the French Prealps. It lies west of the Dauphiné Alps, from which it is separated by the rivers Drac and Isère...

 and Chartreuse Mountains

Chartreuse Mountains

The Chartreuse Mountains is a mountain range in eastern France, stretching to the north from the city of Grenoble to the Lac du Bourget. It is the southernmost range in the Jura Mountains and belongs to the French Prealps....

 in the west by the rivers Drac

Drac River

The Drac is a 130 km long river in southeastern France, left tributary of the Isère. It is formed by the confluence of the Drac Noir and the Drac Blanc, that both rise in the southern part of the Massif des Écrins. It flows through several reservoirs, including the Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet....

 and Isère

Isère River

The Isère is a 286 km long river in southeastern France, in the Rhône-Alpes région. Its source is in the Alps on the border with Italy, near the ski resort Val d'Isère. It flows into the Rhône River in Pont-de-l'Isère, a few km north of Valence...

. Many peaks rise to more than 10,000 feet (3,050 m), with Barre des Écrins

Barre des Écrins

The Barre des Écrins is a mountain in the French Alps, the highest point of the Massif des Écrins, and the most southerly alpine peak in Europe that is higher than 4,000 metres.- Geography :...

 (4,102 m) the highest.

Mountain ranges within the Dauphiné Alps include the Massif des Écrins

Massif des Écrins

The mountains of the Massif des Écrins form the core of the Écrins National Park in France.-Mountains:*Barre des Écrins 4102 m*La Meije 3983 m*Ailefroide 3954 m*Mont Pelvoux 3946 m*Pic Sans Nom 3913 m*Pic Gaspard 3883 m*Le Râteau 3809 m...

 (in the Parc national des Écrins), Belledonne

Belledonne

Belledonne is a mountain range in the Dauphiné Alps in southeast France. The southern end of the range forms the eastern wall of the mountains that surround the city of Grenoble....

, the Taillefer

Taillefer

Taillefer was the surname of a Norman ioglere whose exact name and place of birth are unknown . He travelled to England during the Norman conquest of England of 1066, in the train of William the Conqueror...

 range and the mountains of Matheysine

Matheysine

Matheysine is a French Natural region located in the Alps at the south of the Isère département. Its relief is a plateau surroundered by mountains. Matheysine is also called Plateau Matheysin.-Geography:...

.

Peaks

The chief peaks of the Dauphiné Alps are:

Barre des Écrins Barre des Écrins The Barre des Écrins is a mountain in the French Alps, the highest point of the Massif des Écrins, and the most southerly alpine peak in Europe that is higher than 4,000 metres.- Geography :...	4102 meters	(13,459 feet)		Pic Felix Neff	3222 meters	(10,571 feet)
Meije Meije La Meije is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins range, located at the border of the Hautes-Alpes and Isère départements. It overlooks the nearby village of La Grave, a mountaineering centre and ski resort, well-known for its off-piste and extreme skiing possibilities.La Meije is composed of three...	3987 meters	(13,081 feet)		Vieux Chaillol	3163 meters	(10,378 feet)
Ailefroide Ailefroide The Ailefroide is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins in the French Alps, and is the third highest peak in the Dauphiné Alps after the Barre des Écrins and La Meije. It lies at the south-western end of the Mont Pelvoux–Pic Sans Nom–Ailefroide ridge....	3954 meters	(12,972 feet)		Tete de Vautisse	3162 meters	(10,375 feet)
Mont Pelvoux Mont Pelvoux Mont Pelvoux is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins in the French Alps.For many years Mont Pelvoux was believed to be the highest mountain in the region since the higher Barre des Écrins cannot be seen from the Durance valley....	3946 meters	(12,946 feet)		Grand Pinier	3120 meters	(10,237 feet)
Pic Sans Nom Pic Sans Nom The Pic Sans Nom is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins in the French Alps. It lies in the middle of the steep mountain mass that runs south-west from Mont Pelvoux to the Ailefroide....	3913 meters	(12,838 feet)		Pic de Parieres	3050 meters	(10,007 feet)
Pic Gaspard Pic Gaspard Pic Gaspard is a mountain in the French Alps, in the Massif des Écrins....	3880 meters	(12,730 feet)		Mourre Froid	2996 meters	(9830 feet)
Pic Coolidge	3756 meters	(12,323 feet)		Grand Pic de Belledonne	2977 meters	(9767 feet)
Grande Ruine	3754 meters	(12,317 feet)		Rocherblanc (Sept Laux)	2931 meters	(9617 feet)
Rateau	3754 meters	(12,317 feet)		Taillefer Taillefer Taillefer was the surname of a Norman ioglere whose exact name and place of birth are unknown . He travelled to England during the Norman conquest of England of 1066, in the train of William the Conqueror...	2861 meters	(9387 feet)
Les Bans Les Bans Les Bans is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins in the Dauphiné Alps, first climbed by W. A. B. Coolidge, Christian Almer and U. Almer on July 14, 1878.There are three main summits on the mountain:* South summit 3,669 m* North-west summit 3,630 m...	3669 meters	(12,037 feet)		Tete de l'Obiou	2793 meters	(9164 feet)
Montagne des Agneaux	3660 meters	(12,008 feet)		Pic du Frene Pic du Frêne The Pic du Frêne is a mountain in the Belledonne Massif in Savoie, France....	2810 meters	(9219 feet)
Sommet des Rouies	3634 meters	(11,923 feet)		Grand Ferrand	2761 meters	(9059 feet)
Aiguille du Plat de la Selle Aiguille du Plat de la Selle The Aiguille du Plat de la Selle, 3,596 m, is a mountain in the Soreiller group of the Dauphiné Alps in south-eastern France. Ascents of the mountain are via Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans or the Soreiller hut.-External links:*...	3596 meters			Pic de Bure (Aurouse)	2712 meters	(8898 feet)
Olan Olan (mountain) The Olan is a mountain in the Massif des Écrins in the French Alps. It dominates the valleys of Valgaudemar, Valjouffrey, and Vénéon in the heart of Écrins National Park.- Climbing :...	3564 meters	(11,735 feet)
Pic Bonvoisin	3560 meters	(11,680 feet)
Aiguilles d'Arves Aiguilles d'Arves The Aiguilles d’Arves is a mountain in the Arves massif in the French Alps. The mountain, comprising three separate peaks , is the highest point of the massif, and is located in the department of Savoie.- Geography :...  (highest point)	3514 meters	(11,529 feet)
Grandes Rousses	3473 meters	(11,395 feet)
Roche de la Muzelle Roche de la Muzelle - Guides :* Le massif des ecrins - les 100 plus belles courses et randonnées, by Gaston Rebuffat...	3459 meters	(11,349 feet)
Sirac Sirac Sirač is a settlement and municipality in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, Croatia. There are 2,546 inhabitants; 71% are Croats, 14% Serbs, and 10% Czechs...	3438 meters	(11,280 feet)

Passes

The chief passes

Mountain pass

A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...

 of the Dauphiné Alps are:

name	location	type	elevation (m/ft)
Brèche de la Meije Brèche de la Meije The Brèche de la Meije is a high mountain pass in the Dauphiné Alps in Savoie in southeastern France.It is in the massif of Écrins in the Écrins National Park....	La Berarde to la Grave	snow	3300/10,827
Brèche des Grandes Rousses	Allemont to Clavans	snow	3100/10,171
Brèche de Valsenestre	Bourg d'Oisans to Valsenestre	foot path	2634/8642
Col Bayard Col Bayard Col Bayard is a mountain pass through the Dauphiné Alps in the department of Isère in France.It connects the communities of La Mure and Gap.-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe* List of mountain passes...	La Mure La Mure La Mure is a commune in the Isère département in south-eastern France.It is located south of Grenoble on the plateau Matheysin.-Neighbour communes:* Prunières* Sousville* Susville* Ponsonnas* Pierre-Châtel* Saint-Honoré-Main sights:...  to Gap Gap, Hautes-Alpes Gap is a commune in southeastern France, the capital of the Hautes-Alpes department.-Geography:An Alpine crossroads at the intersection of D994 and Route nationale 85 the Route Napoléon, Gap lies above sea level along the right bank of the Luye River...	road	1246/4088
Col de la Casse Deserte	La Berarde to La Grave	snow	3510/11,516
Col de la Croix de Fer Col de la Croix de Fer Col de la Croix de Fer is a high mountain pass in the French Alps linking Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.-Details of climb:...	Bourg d'Oisans to Saint-Jean-d'Arves	road	2062/6765
Col de la Croix Haute Col de la Croix Haute Col de la Croix-Haute is a high mountain pass in the French Dauphiné Alps on the border of the Isère and Drôme departments, linking the towns of Clelles and Mens in the North with Lus-la-Croix-Haute in the South.-See also:...	Grenoble Grenoble Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...  to Serres Serres, Hautes-Alpes Serres is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-History:Serres is located in a region called Dauphiné which, centuries ago, was traditionally given as a fief to the Dauphin ....  and Gap	road, railroad	1167/3829
Col de la Lauze	Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France.-References:*...  to La Grave La Grave La Grave is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.It is a small ski resort in the French Alps, dominated by La Meije . It was the birthplace of Nicolas de Nicolay; adventurer and Geographer Ordinary to Henry II of France....	snow	3543/11,625
Col de l'Alpe de Vénosc	Vénosc Vénosc Vénosc is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France....  to Les Deux Alpes Les Deux Alpes Les Deux Alpes is a ski resort in the French Isère département. The village sits at 1650m and lifts run to 3600m . It has the largest skiable glacier in Europe and is France's second oldest ski resort behind Chamonix, where the largest mountain in western Europe is located, Mont Blanc...	bridle path	1660/5446
Col de la Muande	St Christophe to the Val Gaudemar	snow	3059/10,037
Col de la Muzelle	St Christophe to Valsenestre	foot path	2500/8202
Col d'Arsine	La Grave to Le Monêtier-les-Bains	bridle path	2400/7874
Col de la Temple	La Berarde to Vallouise	snow	3283/10,772
Col de la Vaurze	Val Gaudemar to Valjouffrey Valjouffrey Valjouffrey is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France....	foot path	2600/8531
Col de l'Eychauda	Vallouise to Le Monêtier-les-Bains Le Monêtier-les-Bains Le Monêtier-les-Bains is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-Skiing:Monetier's slopes are a part of the extensive Serre Chevalier ski area. There are 7 chairlifts and 4 drag lifts with the highest skiing in the domain at 2760m.-Geography:Le...	bridle path	2429/7970
Col de l'Infernet	La Grave to Saint-Jean-d'Arves	foot path	2690/8826
Col de Martignare	La Grave to Saint-Jean-d'Arves	foot path	2600/8531
Col des Aiguilles d'Arves	Valloire Valloire Valloire is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The ski resort Valloire-Galibier is located in the commune, at the foot of the Col du Galibier and next to the ski resort of Valmeinier, France....  to Saint-Jean-d'Arves Saint-Jean-d'Arves Saint-Jean-d'Arves is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.It is a ski resort, part of the larger Les Sybelles ski area.-External links:*...	snow	3150/10,335
Col des Avalanches	La Berarde to Vallouise Vallouise Vallouise is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...	snow	3511/11,520
Col des Ecrins	La Berarde to Vallouise	snow	3415/11,205
Col des Prés Nouveaux	Le Freney to Saint-Jean-d'Arves	bridle path	2293/7523
Col des Quirlies	Saint-Jean-d'Arves to Clavans	snow	2950/9679
Col des Sept Laux	Allevard Allevard Allevard, also Allevard-les-Bains is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France....  to Bourg d'Oisans	bridle path	2184/7166
Col des Tourettes	Orcières to Châteauroux-les-Alpes Châteauroux-les-Alpes Châteauroux-les-Alpes is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...	bridle path	2580/8465
Col de Val Estrete	Val Gaudemar to Champoléon	foot path	2620/8596
Col de Vallonpierre	Val Gaudemar to Champoléon	foot path	2620/8596
Col d'Orcières	Dormillouse to Orcières Orcières Orcières is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...	bridle path	2700/8859
Col d'Ornon Col d'Ornon Col d'Ornon is a mountain pass through the Dauphiné Alps in the department of Isère in France.It connects the communities of Bourg d'Oisans and La Mure.-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe* List of mountain passes...	Bourg d'Oisans to La Mure La Mure La Mure is a commune in the Isère département in south-eastern France.It is located south of Grenoble on the plateau Matheysin.-Neighbour communes:* Prunières* Sousville* Susville* Ponsonnas* Pierre-Châtel* Saint-Honoré-Main sights:...	road	1360/4462
Col du Clot des Cavales	La Berarde to La Grave	snow	3128/10,263
Col du Galibier Col du Galibier Col du Galibier is a mountain pass in the southern region of the French Dauphiné Alps near Grenoble. It is the ninth highest paved road in the Alps and the sixth highest mountain pass. It is often the highest point of the Tour de France....	Col du Lautaret Col du Lautaret Col du Lautaret is a high mountain pass in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.It marks the boundary between the valleys of the Romanche and the Guisane, a tributary of the Durance which has its source at the col. The valleys are linked by national route 91...  to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Savoie department*The 1917 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne derailment, which killed several hundred French troops....	road	2658/8721
Col du Glacier Blanc	La Grave to Vallouise	snow	3308/10,854
Col du Glandon Col du Glandon Col du Glandon is a high mountain pass in the Dauphiné Alps in Savoie, France, linking Bourg d'Oisans to La Chambre. It is situated between the Belledonne, Grandes Rousses and Arvan-Villards mountain ranges, west of the Col de la Croix de Fer...	Bourg d'Oisans to La Chambre La Chambre La Chambre is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.-References:*...	road	1951/6401
Col du Goleon	La Grave to Valloire	foot path	2880/9449
Col du Lautaret Col du Lautaret Col du Lautaret is a high mountain pass in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.It marks the boundary between the valleys of the Romanche and the Guisane, a tributary of the Durance which has its source at the col. The valleys are linked by national route 91...	Briançon Briançon Briançon a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department....  to Bourg d'Oisans	road	2075/6808
Col du Loup du Valgaudemar	Vallouise to the Val Gaudemar	snow	3112/10,210
Col du Says	La Berarde to the Val Gaudemar	snow	3136/10,289
Col du Sele	La Berarde to Vallouise	snow	3302/10,834
Col du Sellar	Vallouise to the Val Gaudemar	snow	3067/10,063
Col Emile Pic	La Grave to Vallouise	snow	3502/11,490
Col Lombard	La Grave to Saint-Jean-d'Arves	snow	3100/10,171
Pas de la Cavale	Vallouise to Champoléon Champoléon Champoléon is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...	dirt road	2740/8990