Vars, a region in the Hautes-Alpes department of the French Alps, features mountainous terrain characterized by the Southern Alps. This area includes the Col de Vars, a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,108 meters (6,916 ft), along with extensive larch forests and high-altitude lakes. The diverse landscape provides a setting for several sports like road cycling, hiking, jogging, touring cycling, and more.
Vars offers a range of outdoor activities and routes for various…
127
Routes
4.6
(371)
Average rating
10142
People visited

4.3
(9)
433
riders
38.4km
02:32
1,170m
1,170m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.9
(17)
1,116
riders
71.4km
03:49
1,380m
1,380m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(14)
947
riders
122km
07:28
3,320m
3,320m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.3
(7)
402
riders
32.1km
02:05
970m
970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(26)
171
hikers
10.3km
04:00
750m
770m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
19
hikers
18.8km
08:01
1,550m
1,550m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.5
(2)
22
hikers
19.5km
06:34
950m
950m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(21)
176
hikers
10.6km
04:14
770m
770m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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19
riders
95.7km
08:58
2,760m
2,760m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
20
riders
59.2km
04:40
1,670m
1,670m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
17
riders
18.6km
01:39
750m
750m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.2
(5)
15
riders
36.7km
02:36
520m
520m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
489
riders
89.9km
07:07
2,590m
2,590m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(11)
375
riders
69.8km
04:54
1,330m
1,320m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(4)
301
riders
35.7km
02:54
1,120m
1,120m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
172
riders
102km
08:02
2,900m
2,900m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(22)
154
riders
43.3km
04:36
1,540m
1,540m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(3)
46
riders
26.7km
03:15
1,120m
1,120m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
riders
44.8km
05:16
1,830m
1,830m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.3
(3)
30
riders
17.7km
02:26
950m
960m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
163
runners
8.91km
01:08
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
132
runners
34.9km
05:30
2,010m
2,010m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
99
runners
16.3km
02:10
550m
540m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
115
runners
7.59km
00:51
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
10
hikers
19.2km
07:34
980m
990m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
6
hikers
8.55km
03:38
540m
540m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5
hikers
20.9km
09:03
1,340m
1,340m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.0
(1)
6
hikers
13.4km
05:13
850m
850m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Vars offers a range of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features 179 routes, with an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from more than 25,000 visitors.
The Col de Vars is a prominent road cycling destination, known for its challenging ascents and inclusion in the Route des Grandes Alpes. Cyclists can find detailed routes and information in the Road Cycling Routes around Vars guide.
Vars offers numerous well-marked hiking trails leading through larch forests and to high-altitude lakes. The Val d'Escreins nature reserve is noted for its landscapes. Specific routes are available in the Hiking around Vars guide.
Vars provides over 200 km (124 miles) of mountain biking trails, including downhill, enduro, and cross-country options, with a dedicated Bike Park. Electric mountain biking (VTTAE) itineraries are also available. Consult the MTB Trails around Vars guide for more information.
Key natural features include the Col de Vars, a high mountain pass at 2,108 meters (6,916 ft), extensive larch forests, and high-altitude lakes such as Lac de l'étoile and Lac Napoléon. The region is situated between the Parpaillon and Escreins massifs.
Vars offers diverse trails that cater to various skill levels, including options suitable for beginners. The region's varied terrain includes less challenging paths alongside more demanding ascents. For general cycling routes, refer to the Cycling around Vars guide.
Komoot offers several guides for Vars, including Road Cycling Routes around Vars, Hiking around Vars, MTB Trails around Vars, and Running Trails around Vars. Additional guides cover touring cycling, gravel biking, and mountain hikes.
Vars is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 25,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's 179 routes have an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
The Col de Vars is a high mountain pass located at an elevation of 2,108 meters (6,916 ft). It serves as a natural boundary between the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments.
Vars provides numerous well-marked trails suitable for jogging and running. These trails lead through diverse landscapes, including larch forests. Detailed running routes can be found in the Running Trails around Vars guide.
The official website for Vars tourism is vars.com. The Vars Tourist Office can be reached by phone at +33492465131.

