The Bellecombe Lakes and others

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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.

Details

n°73682
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.37 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,417 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,398 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,002 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,752 ft
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Photos

Lac Blanc
1st Bellecombe lake.
Lac aux Limnes
Lac Blanc

Description of the walk

Start from the Coëtet car park at an altitude of 2,059 metres north of Termignon.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the trail that leads to Lac Blanc in 45 minutes and the unmarked refuge of the same name nearby. This first part is the ultimate family walk; many hikers don't go much further and spend the day with their families around the lake.
After that, it is much less frequented.

(1) Go around Lac Blanc on the left and find the unmarked trail north of the lake that follows the Doron river, 400 metres above the riverbed: be careful though.
The trail is nevertheless well marked, running roughly parallel to the canyon. After a kilometre, it turns east to rejoin the plateau and then heads north again at a crossroads.

(2) One last climb to reach the highest point of the hike at 2,435 metres.
The Bellecombe Lakes are now close by, first the South Lake and a few minutes later the North Lake.

(3) After the lakes, continue on the trail, still heading north.
The trail now descends, giving you time to admire the peaks and glaciers on the other side of the canyon. From time to time, a marmot scurries away as you approach. This brings you to Lac aux Limnés.

(4) The trail passes along the edge of the lake and continues east towards the pretty Refuge du Plan du Lac.
Near the refuge, there are a series of orientation tables with information about the peaks and glaciers, as well as explanations about the geology and wildlife.
Why not stop on the terrace of the refuge and admire the landscape in peace?

(5) The rest of the route is straightforward: head south on theGR®5trail, which takes you to the large car park at Bellecombe in 35 minutes, but first the trail passes by the lake called Plan du Lac.

(6) From the car park, the descent continues southwards, passing through the ruins of the Chavière buildings and then close to the Sainte Marguerite chapel just before the D126 road.

(7) After crossing the road several times, the sometimes steep trail finally reaches the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,752 ft - Coêtet
  2. 1 : mi 0.84 - alt. 7,388 ft - Go around the lake on the left. - Lac Blanc (2250m - Vanoise)
  3. 2 : mi 1.68 - alt. 7,986 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 1.99 - alt. 7,933 ft - Continue along the trail, always heading north. - Lac de Bellecombe (Vanoise - 2414m)
  5. 4 : mi 3.1 - alt. 7,726 ft - Continue east towards the pretty Refuge du Plan du Lac. - Lac aux Limnés (Vanoise - 2350m))
  6. 5 : mi 3.77 - alt. 7,759 ft - GR 5 after the > - Refuge du Plan du Lac
  7. 6 : mi 4.96 - alt. 7,585 ft - Bellecombe car park
  8. 7 : mi 5.64 - alt. 7,234 ft - Chapelle Sainte Marguerite
  9. S/E : mi 6.37 - alt. 6,752 ft - Coêtet

Notes

A shuttle service connects Termignon, the Bellecombe car park, the Plan du Lac refuge and the Entre Deux Eaux refuge.

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 93 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Cyril Drion
Cyril Drion
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant hike, with some gorgeous little lakes! Marmots keeping us entertained!
Magnificent

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike featuring six lakes and stunning views of the glacier. Definitely worth doing

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Tinychan
Tinychan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

What a magnificent hike! And at the start of July, we were surprised to come across so few people, as we imagine that, given how accessible it is, there must be times of the year when it’s teeming with hikers.
All the lakes are splendid and the views are breathtaking. We spotted two chamois and lots of plump marmots. As a result, we spent so much time watching them that the hike took longer than expected :-). We had a drink at the Lac Blanc mountain hut and had a picnic by the lakeside to make the experience last a bit longer.

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diclorepo
diclorepo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely panorama

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laurent.lacombe
laurent.lacombe

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 : No

Route taken on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at 7:45 a.m. from the Le Coëtet car park.
We were alone until we reached the Plan du Lac refuge, where we met up with the "tourists" who had left their cars at the Bellecombe car park.
The landscape along the Doron de Termignon gorges is superb, and the small lakes are full of charm.
We were lucky enough to see a herd of chamois below Lac du Lait and numerous marmots.
Unfortunately, La Grande Casse is quite bare at the Col des Grands Couloirs.
We completed the route in 3 hours and 45 minutes, stopping briefly at the refuge.
A hike not to be missed!

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gali69
gali69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the Bellecombe car park to join the route at Lac Blanc, 9 km and a 300 m elevation gain.
After Lac Blanc, the climb is steep and without switchbacks to reach the first lake.
Between Lac Blanc and Lac aux Limnes, there is a magnificent view of the Dent Parrachée and the glacial domes of the Vanoise.
Thanks to the author of the guidebook.

Note: For the last week of August, to return to Termignon, there is only one shuttle bus that leaves Bellecombe at 6:00 pm and arrives in Termignon at 6:30 pm. So we drove up and paid for parking, €8/day.

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User 10031122
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, accessible and not very busy early in the morning. Beautiful views from the top of a gorge, with views of glaciers, beautiful lakes throughout the hike and marmots. The only downside was our arrival at the refuge
at the lake plan, which was very busy, brought us back to reality. We returned to the Coetets car park under a light storm

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User 9267667

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike!
New this year, parking is paid for during the summer season (and if you arrive at the wrong time, there are traffic jams!). You can take the free shuttle buses from Termignon.

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bernard 01
bernard 01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Family hike, suitable for carrying two children aged 3 and 1.
Stunning views of some of the Vanoise glaciers; four beautiful lakes, which are even more beautiful in the morning light! Several marmots, great for little ones.
No shade, you are always between 2,300 and 2,500 metres above sea level.
Few hikers except between Plan du Lac and the Bellecombe car park.
NB: few hiking signs, no markings on IGN maps; not a problem, just follow the path; easier if you have GPS for reassurance.

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User 15075024

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike!

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gillesmo
gillesmo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with lots of beautiful flowers at the end of June.
Thanks for the route info

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User 21807940

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pass by the Lac Blanc refuge to the Plan du Lac refuge.
Easy hike, very beautiful, uncrowded except for marmots.

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did05
did05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful loop. No markings but the trail is clearly visible. Five lakes along the route and beautiful views of the Dent Parrachée and the Grande Casse. Two refuges along the route. I recommend this hike.

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Cathi
Cathi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is truly superb, with no particular difficulties, passing through pastures and stunning lakes, with a few snowfields still remaining.
We followed the GPS so we had no difficulty, but be careful as the trail is not marked on IGN maps!

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User 7588446

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not too crowded in June. Parking available.
The hike is magnificent, with several stunning lakes and an incredible passage across the plateau. A beautiful walk to the refuge. Still enjoyable until the last "lake", then a little disappointing. We arrive at a car park and then cross the road several times until we reach it again to return to the car park. A bit of a shame for the final descent.

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