The Vallon from Villaron

de fr

This is a short, easy and pleasant hike, ideal for a family outing. At the start, the village of Villaron is typical and well worth a visit, and at the end, the Cirque du Vallon is very bucolic.
Along the way, you may see some wild animals (marmots, chamois, vultures, sparrowhawks, etc.).

Details

n°157815
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,962 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,959 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,510 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,682 ft
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Photos

At the bottom of the valley
In the cirque
Cave paintings
Weather

Description of the walk

Access: from Bessans, follow the D902 towards Bonneval-sur-Arc.
Park at the Pont du Villaron car park.

(S) From the car park, after the Saint-Bernard chapel, climb up to the village of Villaron along an old Way of the Cross. Continue straight ahead past the first fountain, pass the Saint-Colomban chapel with its Cross of the Passion and continue to a second fountain.

(1) Turn left at the start of the trail. Follow this path, which is initially marked in yellow (for 600 metres), then in white and red at the start ofthe GR®5, and in blue, white and red to mark the boundary of the Vanoise National Park. A winding track has been built for 4x4 vehicles. You can take it, but the old path is much more pleasant. It crosses this track several times and leads to a place called Le Coin.

(2) At the intersection, continue along the track.

(3) Pass the unmanned Refuge du Mollard and continue to follow theGR®5

(4) At Pont du Vallon, turn left, leave the main path (GR®5) and continue on the left bank towards the bottom of the valley.

(5) Arrival at the bottom of the valley.

Return via the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,686 ft - Pont du Villaron car park - Arc (rivière) - Affluent de l'Isère
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 5,748 ft - The trail starts on the left
  3. 2 : mi 1.46 - alt. 7,005 ft - Place known as Le Coin
  4. 3 : mi 1.7 - alt. 7,283 ft - Refuge du Mollard
  5. 4 : mi 2.58 - alt. 7,356 ft - Turn left at the fork when leaving the GR5
  6. 5 : mi 3.01 - alt. 7,510 ft - Arrival at the bottom of the valley.
  7. S/E : mi 6.07 - alt. 5,686 ft - Car park at the start

Notes

At the start, there are two fountains with very fresh water.
At the top, on the right bank, is the Vallon d'en haut mountain pasture.
Remember to bring your binoculars

Worth a visit

In the village, just before WP1, see the Saint-Colomban Chapel

(2). From the place called Le Coin, look north-west at the top of the rocky ridge where you can see vultures circling, using the updrafts. Continue the climb.

(5) Look due west at the scree below the ridges. There is a patch of snow that does not melt all year round. With binoculars, you may see chamois. This is also the case due north, above the waterfall.

After your hike, you can observe a rather special weather station (at the back on the left after the first watering hole).
If you are not too tired, on the way back you can make a short detour to the "Château", a listed prehistoric site.
The path runs alongside the Arc. In autumn, the colours are splendid and, if you are lucky, you may spot a squirrel or a fox.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 6777188

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk

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User 1125749

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route can be a bit challenging at times, especially if you’re coming from Bessans. A very warm welcome at the Vallon refuge.

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RENARD Jean
RENARD Jean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this relatively easy walk, which took us to a magnificent cirque full of cascading waterfalls.
Thousands of flowers on the slopes between the farm and the waterfall! A feast for the eyes and the bumblebees.
A little blueberry tart before heading back down at around 5.00 pm, whilst watching the farmer herd his 50 cows back up for milking.

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Brigitte C3.
Brigitte C3.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Given that the walk heads due south, it’s best to set off in the morning – which is exactly what we did!
An interesting walk, with lovely views of Pointe Charbonnel and the mountains opposite.
We climbed up the track leading to the refuge, then carried on to the snowfields and returned via the path that joins the track a little further up.
Some baby marmots put on a show for us just before we reached the refuge.
Thanks for the route

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User 29842145

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route that’s suitable for families with children and presents no difficulties.
Do remember to take plenty of water with you, and bear in mind there isn’t much shade.

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NRBJ
NRBJ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Le Vallon is a really, really lovely spot.
Once you’ve got past the initial climb (3 km), it’s easy from there. Make sure you follow the yellow markings on the rocks carefully so you don’t go the wrong way when you cross the meadow with the cows.
I climbed right to the bottom of the valley, where there was still a bit of snow, then I was able to cross the stream and head to the mountain hut. I’d set off early, so I was on my own. On the way back down, I took the wide path and came across quite a few people heading up.
I’d love to go back there every summer!

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User 4641926

Hello,
I would like to go on a hike in July via the Col du Mont Cenis to the Lacs Perrin, the Lacs Giaset and the Lac Blanc, as a circular route. I cannot find the route on the website. Could you please provide me with some information about this hike?
Thank you, best regards.
Serge.

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User 11872818

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike! Snowshoes are essential from halfway along the route, with around 50 cm of snow (21/12/25). The path is well marked at the start, but the markers quickly disappear under the snow. Very beautiful view of the valley.

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craco.35
craco.35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike for the whole family. Check the weather forecast before setting off. Bring binoculars!!!!!

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Patrice Rhône
Patrice Rhône

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

easy family hike.
There is a farmhouse inn at the end of the hike towards the waterfall, and the people are welcoming.
You may see bearded vultures, so bring your binoculars

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User 7588446

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy to park.
We liked the little paths that cut across the main road, which meant we didn't have to take exactly the same route on the way back. Quite a climb for a first hike at the start of the holidays, but no particular difficulties. Pretty scenery. Pleasant, peaceful valley.

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pierre huraux
pierre huraux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Large car park at the start.
A pleasant, moderately difficult hike with a steady climb, offering the option of following an existing track (which is easier on the knees on the way back). The trail for the climb is well marked and easy to follow.
Refreshments available at the Fond de Vallon farm.
Return via the same route, but follow the well-marked track from point 2. The descent is then very pleasant.

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jacques06380
jacques06380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

magnificent views
the village of Villaron is worth a visit
thank you
Jacques

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a spectacular circus, we encountered cows climbing up to the mountain pastures, which we accompanied for a short while
i recommend it

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Philippe Chotteau
Philippe Chotteau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route described is lovely. The famous valley is majestic, with a beautiful waterfall at the bottom. There is a very nice farm that processes milk from 56 cows in the mountain pastures and also offers bed and breakfast accommodation (the products are also on sale down in Bessans), but where you can also eat your sandwiches and just have a coffee.
The continuation on the GR5 towards Iseran is superb, and allowed us to observe chamois, bearded vultures and other vultures...
However, BE CAREFUL with the alternative route that should have allowed us to descend directly to Bonneval. The ford of the Lenta torrent was completely impassable on the afternoon of 2 July, as it was far too impetuous.
We ended up having to retrace our steps...

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