Bramans walks

This short hike is the starting point for a magnificent three-day trek between Haute Maurienne and Val de Suze (Italy), with beautiful lakes and numerous small glaciers.But the setting and the welcome at the Refuge de Bramanette are such that they alone justify spending the night there and descending back down to the valley the next day!

A beautiful circular route in the Haute-Maurienne via the Etache Valley and the Bramanette Valley. Steep gradients.

A beautiful route, sometimes off the beaten track or on poorly marked paths. From the top of the passes, you can see both the peaks of the Vanoise (the Dent Parachée) and the Barre des Ecrins.This hike follows on from the "Le refuge de Bramanette" route.

A snowshoe hike through the forest offering two points of interest: the spectacular Sardière monolith and the Sculpture Trail. Beautiful views of the peaks of the Mont Cenis massif to the south and surprising sculptures amongst the pine trees.

A pleasant route using the stream and Diable footbridges to access Fort Victor-Emmanuel, Fort Charles-Felix and Fort Marie-Christine. On the way back, visit the pretty Saint-Benoit waterfall.

From the new car park at the Aussois dams, there is a fairly easy route around Lake Plan-d'Amont, which allows you to discover the four refuges in the southern part of the Vanoise National Park. You enter the heart of the park. In summer, there are many marmots and they are not shy. The landscapes are magnificent and varied, from the rhododendron bushes on the lake shore to the Labby glacier and the mineral deserts of La Fournache.

High-altitude hike beneath the imposing Dent Parrachée. The climb to 3,100 m is very pleasant, and there are several flat sections where you can rest. Things get tougher beyond that, after crossing the remains of the Labby Glacier, due to loose and unstable schist. Access to Pointe de la Gorma (3,396 m) is via an easy ridge.

Circuit above Aussois between pine trees and snowfields.

Belle randonnée avec, au sommet de la Pointe de l'Observatoire, une vue à 360° sur la Xanoise (Pralognan, petit Mont Blanc, Peclet Polset) et plus loin le Mont Blanc lui même.

The final stage of this fabulous route from the Refuge de la Fournache to the Refuge de l'Orgére, via the Col de la Masse. The ascent of this pass is difficult due to the steep gradient. The end of the ascent and a good part of the descent are very technical. The view from the pass is absolutely exceptional; you will be able to see the Écrins and the Thabor massif.

A short loop with good slopes, both uphill and downhill.

A lovely, easy walk in the peaceful forest, starting at the top of the gondola lift and returning by chairlift.

Route following the hypothetical passage of Hannibal and his elephants across the Alps. At the end of the wild and long valley lies the superb and large Lake Savine, at the foot of the Dents D'Ambin. A little further on, the Clapier border pass offers a magnificent view. On the way back, take a short detour to the Perrin Lakes.

Less well-known than its neighbour, Lac d’Ambin or Lac Bleu, Lac Noir, nestled at the foot of the summit of Petit Vallon, is well worth a visit to this peaceful and very pleasant spot.

This fabulous 8-stage route (+ 2 variants) is challenging and requires excellent physical fitness, as some passes reach an altitude of nearly 3,000m. The first two stages deviate from the usual route, making this route even more appealing. The mountain landscapes, glaciers, pastures and flora are among the most beautiful in the Alps. Wildlife is particularly abundant, as in the Mercantour. Every day we saw marmots, ibex and chamois.

The first stage takes you from the Refuge d’Orgére to the Refuge de Peclet Polset. Although short, this first stage features a significant elevation gain, helping you get into your stride for the rest of the trek. The views above the Maurienne Valley are already splendid. You’ll cross your first pass, the Col de Chaviére, at nearly 2,800 metres. Views of the Écrins and the Thabor, reminding us of the 2018 route.

A hike at 2,900m: marmots, ibex, mountain pastures, scree slopes and forest – all in one.

A 3-day hike with camping or staying in mountain huts. The route takes you into the Vanoise National Park, close to the Gébroulaz Glacier and Lac Blanc, with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m) and the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m). There are many other panoramic views to discover across the five passes: Col de la Masse (2,952 m), Col d’Aussois (2,914 m), Col Rouge (2,730 m), Col du Soufre (2,817 m) and Col de Chavière (2,796 m).

Starting from the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes through the Valon de l'Orgère to reach the Col de la Masse (2,952 m) with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m), then follows the valleys to reach the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois.

A good hike with an uphill route along the Povaret torrent, away from the usual trails. The uphill trail is well marked but there are hardly any signposts.

From the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois to the Refuge du Saut, the route passes via the Col d'Aussois (2,914 m) with the option to climb the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m) before descending into the valley via the Ritort farm, then the Col Rouge (2,730 m).

A lovely, isolated hike, far from the overcrowded trails. Requires a little attention to orientation and the location of the path.

Stage7 of this journey takes you from the Refuge de l’Arpont to the very welcoming Refuge de la Fournache. This stage skirts around the Dent Parrachée. This is the last time you will see the Vanoise glaciers. This trail, which is at times technical and challenging due to its elevation gain, overlooks the Maurienne Valley, Val Cénis and, on the other side, Italy. You will also catch a glimpse of the Thabor, before arriving at the bottom of Aussois, with its two lakes and the Aussois dam.

This6th stage is a variation on the route starting from the Refuge de l'Arpont. We decided to spend two days on this hike to explore the Lacs de l'Arpont and its magnificent glacier. An exceptional hike that will allow you to get as close as possible to this glacier. The lakes are splendid. If you’re feeling brave, don’t hesitate to take a very refreshing dip.

This tenth stage completes the crossing of the Vanoise massif. From the Refuge de l’Arpont, the GR®5 descends to the hamlet of Le Mont, crosses the Combe d’Enfer, climbs the flank of the Crête de Belle Place and crosses the valley of the Ruisseau de Bonne Nuit to reach the ruins of the hamlet of La Loza. It follows the contour of a rocky ridge like a balcony and descends via a few hairpin bends towards a ravine, then continues almost level through the Bellecôte valley. The path passes beneath the chairlifts of the Aussois ski resort and runs alongside the Plan Sec and La Fournache mountain huts. It skirts around Lac du Plan d’Amont and runs along the upper edge of Lac du Plan d’Aval before crossing the Col du Barbier. It climbs towards the Barbier chalets and descends to the hamlet of l’Orgère to reach the Refuge de l’Orgère.

An easy route passing by the Notre-Dame du Charmaix Chapel, which blends seamlessly with the rock face. Then, the Chemin des Essarts: a Discovery Trail with information boards on local flora and fauna created by pupils from the Collège de la Vanoise. And there’s also a beautiful waterfall to admire!

This is a lovely, easy hike in the Vanoise. It is also a lake circuit dominated by the Vanoise glaciers between the Dent Parrachée and the Grande Casse. From Lac Blanc to the Plan du Lac refuge, the route is neither mapped nor marked.

This second stage links the Peclet Polset Refuge to the Lacs Merlets Refuge via the Col du Soufre. You walk alongside the great Gebroulaz Glacier before reaching the Refuge du Saut. Next comes the ascent of the Col de Chanrouge and the arrival at the Lacs Merlets. This stage takes you off the usual route through the Vanoise National Park. The landscapes are very wild. You’ll find plenty of edelweiss here.

Alternative route, starting from the Peclet-Polset refuge. This alternative can be taken at the end of the first stage. It allows you to get as close as possible to the gigantic Gebroulaz Glacier, at the foot of the Aiguilles de Peclet.