IGN map or GPS.
A good sleeping bag with a hood for cool nights (+ possibly a groundsheet).
Good walking shoes.
There are numerous mountain huts along the route.
Circular route around the Grande Casse
Four-day hike around the Grande Casse in the Vanoise National Park, starting from Pralognan. Highlights: crossing the rocks of Lac des Vaches, views of the Grande Casse and the Leisse Valley, all in an idyllic setting and in the company of marmots.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 64.24 km -
Average duration: 4 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 3,981 m -
Descent: - 3,976 m -
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Highest point: 2,749 m -
Lowest point: 1,405 m
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Country:
France
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City:
Pralognan-la-Vanoise (73710) -
Start/End: N 45.38262° / E 6.71934° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Stages of the route
This route needs several days, find the details below:
Notes
Reviews and comments
4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
User 24417290
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A very pleasant four-day hike that I did starting from Pralognan. A wonderful discovery of the Vanoise, the first two stages are truly magnificent. However, the stages are very uneven: stages 2 and 3 are much easier and too short for my taste, but some people may appreciate these two days with little walking.
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DenisBrouillet
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
As the shelters are unmanned, you have to bring your own food, which makes your rucksack heavier and therefore requires you to be well trained and in good physical condition.
Please note that not all shelters had water.
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Mbar2
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No
Circular route completed entirely independently (couple of good walkers, aged 60, 14kg rucksacks).
Please note that you can only camp near the refuges and that places are (very) limited. It is therefore advisable to book a place during busy periods.
Most refuges close in mid-September.
Some passes are at an altitude of 2,700 metres. Therefore, there is a risk of snow and snowfields in early summer. Please check before setting off.
The stages planned for days 2 and 3 are short. We have therefore extended these two stages and finished at midday on the fourth day.
Our stages:
Stage 1: Pralognan - Refuge de la Leisse (stage from the guidebook)
Stage 2: Refuge de la Leisse - Refuge de la Glière
Stage 3: Refuge de la Glière - Refuge du Grand Bec
Stage 4: Refuge du Grand Bec - Return to Pralognan at 12 noon
More detailed information can be found on each route sheet.
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Alix44
Hello everyone,
I'm planning to do the circular route solo with my dog in early May.
I see that your reports mention hikes during the summer, but do you think the circular route is passable so early in the season? And do I need to bring any special equipment (crampons, etc.)?
Thank you,
Alix
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isabelle.megard
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Duration of days 2 and 3 too short: arrival at the refuge at 12 noon. Otherwise, the La Leisse and Col du Pale refuges are very welcoming, run by dynamic young people with excellent cuisine.
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matall86
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 13, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Great hike, magnificent scenery, very warm welcome at the various mountain huts (La Laisse, Le Palet and Grand Bec). We came across a family of ibex and lots of marmots.
Perhaps some directions are needed for the departure from Pralognan.
Otherwise, choose your mountain huts carefully to balance the daily distances to be covered.
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gerarddelgove@orange.fr
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 14, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
The fresh snow disrupted the circular tour somewhat. It's always difficult to find space in the shelters, but it's a very beautiful tour with plenty of variety. Highly recommended. Gérard
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noisettes
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A very beautiful hike that we completed in six days due to the weather (rain and snow).
Some of the passes were quite snowy (Col de la Leisse, Col de Léchaux).
There are plenty of refuges along the route, allowing you to adjust the length of each stage.
Nothing but good things to say.
Highly recommended.
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GwadaStFelix
I am planning a 4-day circular trip in September. I hope the weather, the opening of the mountain huts, etc. will be fine. A real estate agency in Pralognan informed me that there is no public transport during this period. How can I get there from the nearest railway station and vice versa?
As a resident of Guadeloupe, I would like to take a few weeks (in September) to revisit this region, which I had the opportunity to discover (a long time ago with my children...).
If anyone would like to join me, I'd be delighted! And if you have any accommodation recommendations in the area, I'd love to hear them.
See you soon
Ph.Mini
06 90 45 69 22 Please note there is a 6-hour time difference (6 a.m. here, noon where you are).
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A beautiful circular to do from Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The route is suitable for experienced hikers. The climb to the Col de Leschaux offers a magnificent view of the Mont-Charvet ridges and the Dents de la Portetta. The Grand Bec cirque is wild and the return trip allows you to admire the Vuzelle waterfall.
Lac des Assiettes, Lac des Vaches, Lac Long and Lac de la Patinoire
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Several descriptions on Visorando already pass through the Col de la Vanoise. This one offers an itinerary that strays from the beaten track, seeking out wild and little-used passages.
Whether on well-trodden paths or not, the scenery is spectacular throughout.
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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.
