Col de Leschaux - Grand Bec refuge - Vuzelle waterfall circular

The starting point is located in the car park at the end of Rue des Savines, in the Granges district of Pralognan-la-Vanoise.

(S/E) Take the forest path towards the Col de Leschaux.

(1) Ignore the path on the right and continue along the forest track.

(2) Leave the forest track and take the path on the left, which winds its way up through the forest. You will come to another forest track; follow it to the left for about 50 metres.

(3) Take the path on the right towards Col de Leschaux. Climb another series of switchbacks, followed by a traverse to cross the Couloir des Rossets, and finish with another series of switchbacks. Reach the fork in the path that climbs left to Mont Chevrier.

(4) Continue to the right and reach the Col de Leschaux (2,564 m).

(5) Descend to the left, on the other side of the pass, down a slightly steep slope followed by an ascent that leads to the Grand Bec cirque.

(6) The path in the cirque follows the contour line more or less. There are numerous small streams to cross, but this is not difficult. A final descent takes you to the Refuge du Grand Bec (2,403 m). You can refill your water bottles here.

(7) Take the path that descends towards Plan Fournier.

(8) At an altitude of around 1900 metres, take the path on the left towards the Cascade de la Vuzelle waterfall. You will come to three path junctions where you should turn left each time towards the waterfall.

(9) Leave the path towards Mont Chevrier for a short while and follow the path that climbs just below the waterfall to the EDF water collection point.

(10) Turn back.

(9) Resume the route by heading left and you will soon reach the fork in the path that descends to Notre-Dame des Neiges.

(11) Head left back up towards Mont Chevrier, ignoring the fork. The trail passes through areas that are sometimes damp, surrounded by vegetation. Throughout the climb, you will have a view of the Vuzelle waterfall on your left. Reach Mont Chevrier, which offers a green, calm and peaceful plateau!

(12) From there, begin your descent along a winding path that will take you back to the ascent trail.

(4) Turn right and follow the ascent route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

You can refill your water bottles at the Grand Bec refuge and, when it is open, stop for a drink or more.

(5) Before starting the descent to the Cirque du Grand Bec and the refuge, a return trip along the ridge trail on the right (400 m and 80 m elevation gain) takes you to the ridge where the slope changes. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Vanoise ice cap: Pointe de la Réchasse, Pointe du Dard, etc.

Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, it is common to see ibex below Pointe de Leschaux to the left of the pass. In the cirque, you may also spot chamois.

(5) From the Col de Leschaux, you have a view of the Dents de la Portetta, the Petit Mont Blanc, the ridges of Mont Charvet, etc.

Finally, the Cascade de la Vuzelle (10) is almost worth the detour on its own. It is easily accessible for families from one of the paths above the hamlet of Chambéranger.