Circular walk from the Chapelle des Vernettes, starting at La Chénarie

de fr

A lovely circular walk through the Ruisseau de Poncet valley, passing through the Caro Blanc forest and the Vernettes Chapel.
There are a few fairly steep climbs, but you’ll be rewarded with a lovely view halfway through the walk.

Details

n°3545129
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.32 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,106 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,109 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,948 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,915 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Caro Blanc Forest
View from the Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Vernettes
Return to the valley from the Notre-Dame-des-Vernettes Chapel
Interior of the Notre-Dame-des-Vernettes Chapel

Description of the walk

Start from La Chénarie.

(S/E) Continue northwards until you reach a Fork in the road.

(1) Turn right to follow the stream on your right. Leave the road at the first bend and take a path straight ahead. Follow this path as it enters the Caro Blanc Forest and joins a road after a series of hairpin bends.

(2) Turn left and leave the road again at the next bend to rejoin a path that will take you to a ford across the Ruisseau de Poncet.

(3) Cross the ford and continue along the path until you reach the Chapelle des Vernettes.

(4) In front of the chapel, follow the path down towards La Chénarie. Join a wider track and continue to the right. Once at the Fork in the road, head left onto a path that descends across the fields to reach Pracompuet.

(5) Walk through the hamlet between the old houses to reach the banks of the Ruisseau du Poncet, which you’ll follow until you return to La Chénarie at the car park at (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,918 ft - La Chénarie, chapel
  2. 1 : mi 0.51 - alt. 5,541 ft - Road junction, turn left
  3. 2 : mi 1.05 - alt. 5,866 ft - Fording the stream
  4. 3 : mi 1.37 - alt. 5,928 ft - Chapelle des Vernettes
  5. 4 : mi 1.9 - alt. 5,282 ft - Pracompuet
  6. S/E : mi 2.32 - alt. 4,918 ft - La Chénarie, chapel

Notes

  • You can reach the start of the walk by shuttle bus (Les Lanchettes stop).
  • An orientation map is available just below the Chapelle des Vernettes (4).

Worth a visit

  • (1) The little church at La Chénarie.
  • (4) The Vernettes Chapel.
  • The magnificent view of the Cirque de Bellecombe from the highest point of the walk.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
vgasquet
vgasquet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this very pleasant tour to get us started on our holiday! The chapel is incredibly beautiful

Machine-translated

Oyo
Oyo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A family route in mid-August; fairly easy and accessible, so there were lots of people

Machine-translated

muse_88_
muse_88_

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
we did this snowshoe route yesterday. It took us 3 hours and 30 minutes, and it’s well suited to snowshoes. Overall, with the directions provided and the numerous signposts, it’s not difficult to follow the route. Even in this snowy season, it’s possible to visit Notre-Dame-des-Vernettes.

Machine-translated

Paisible
Paisible

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only downside is that there are no signposts for the route through the hamlet of Pracompuet, so you have to take a detour via the pastoral road to reach La Chenarie

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Lake Etroit

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le lac de l'Etroit
↔4.29 mi ↗+2,661 ft ↘-2,661 ft ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
Another classic in the Peisey valley, with a bird's eye view of the village and a beautiful panorama of Mont Pourri. The route is steep and somewhat exposed, but it is possible to make a round trip via the descent route.

Walking Lac de l'Étroit and Croix Bozon

Visorando Member
↔5.53 mi ↗+3,330 ft ↘-3,333 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
The walk begins at a historic site with a rich industrial past, once home to silver-lead mines, and continues through a distinctly mountainous landscape, passing by pastoral activities on the descent.

Walking The Aiguille Rousse

Association / Club / Walk leader
L'Aiguille Rousse
↔6.78 mi ↗+3,281 ft ↘-3,281 ft ◔6h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
Whether seen from Nancroix or Les Vernettes, where it displays its impressive red cliff face, or from Le Rosuel, where it resembles a castle tower, the Aiguille Rousse is always impressive! However, it is only the chance of the relief that gives it this appearance of a watchtower over the valley. Its neighbour, the Aiguille Grive, is significantly higher, but also easier to access. Indeed, it is better not to be afraid of heights at the top of the Rousse!

Walking The Vernettes Chapel

Association / Club / Walk leader
La Chapelle des Vernettes
↔2.96 mi ↗+617 ft ↘-614 ft ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
The Chapelle des Vernettes is a highlight of Baroque religious art in the Tarentaise region and a must-see hike in the Peisey Valley. Its main advantage is its accessibility, which can become a problem in the height of summer when many cars make the trip.

Walking Charmettes Circular in Peisey-Nancroix

Visorando Member
↔4.57 mi ↗+1,335 ft ↘-1,335 ft ◔3h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
A short walk for children through the hamlets between Le Villaret and Vallandry. Much of the ascent is by cable car (free of charge). Afterwards, it’s a pleasant walk through the forest with lovely views of the valley and, if the weather is fine, the chance to see Mont Blanc.

Walking The Lac de la Plagne

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le Lac de la Plagne
↔8.24 mi ↗+2,192 ft ↘-2,172 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Peisey-Nancroix (Savoie)
Lac de la Plagne is a classic day hike in the Peisey Valley. It takes you right into the heart of the Vanoise National Park in a very mountainous setting. The normal route can be done without a map, as it is entirely on theGR®5, which is why I am suggesting a wilder route here, but also more challenging due to numerous stream crossings and some off-trail sections.

Walking Pointe de Friolin

Tourism professional
Pointe de Friolin
↔8.57 mi ↗+4,478 ft ↘-4,472 ft ◔7h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bellentre (Savoie)
A lovely hike that allows you to enjoy very different terrains: forest, alpine pastures, rocks. Beautiful view of the Beaufortain, especially the Pierra Menta, and allows you to approach the menacing north face of Bellecôte. As a bonus, an easy 3000-metre peak.

Walking The Lakes Trail and Aiguille Grive from Les Arcs 2000

Visorando Member
Le sentier des lacs et l'Aiguille Grive au départ des Arcs 2000
↔7.13 mi ↗+2,264 ft ↘-2,251 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Savoie)
Hike starting from Les Arcs 2000. As this is a resort hike, there are unfortunately some man-made features, but I suggest the most unspoilt route possible. The first section follows a beautiful path (the ‘Sentier des Lacs’) to Lac des Moutons. Then there is a short but steep climb to Aiguille Grive (2,733m) and its magnificent view of Mont Blanc before heading back down.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.