The tourist season may officially be over but for hikers, this is when the real fun begins. It’s simply too hot to do much hiking here in the summer months, especially in July and early August when temperatures regularly top 30ºC. But as September approaches the cooler weather makes hiking far more pleasant. An added bonus is the quieter paths and roads as the majority of holidaymakers return home.

Yesterday we set-off for the Plateau d’Emparis, which is sometimes referred to as the Plateau de Paris on maps and signposts. It’s huge, shallow basin at around 2300m brings you face to face with La Meije and the Girose Glacier of La Grave, and gives stunning views of the local peaks of the Muzelle and Venosc, which tower above Les 2 Alpes, and Pic Blanc, the highest peak of Alpe d’Huez.