Valette Refuge - Col de la Vanoise Refuge

(S) From the Refuge de la Valette, take the path that descends towards Lac de la Valette, until you reach the first junction.
Continue along the path without leaving it, heading north-north-east, passing the Roc du Tambour, then the Cirque du Petit Marchet on the right, to find yourself on a balcony above Pralognan.
Caution: this section is very impressive due to the height of the overhang. Continue on to reach the Grand Marchet cirque. At the bottom of the descent, you will reach the Ruisseau d’Isertan.

(1) Cross the stream and follow it eastwards, towards the Col du Marchet. The cirque is truly beautiful, with its waterfalls flowing from the Grand Marchet glacier.
The climb up to the pass is difficult, with a fairly steep gradient leading to the Col du Grand Marchet.

(2) Cross over to the other side.
Warning: this section is very technical and requires great care. Erosion has made the first few metres of this descent particularly dangerous. The ground is very unstable.
After this initial difficulty, you reach another technical section with handrails and ladders, between the Grand Marchet and the Petite Aiguille de l'Arcelin.
Continue on to reach the junction on the flat section of the stream of Nant de la Crépéna.

(3) Take the path on the right through the undergrowth, leading out onto a flat area in a scree slope, and climb again along the bed of the Ruisseau de l'Arcelin to a new junction at the Chalet Inférieur de l'Arcelin.

(4) Here you have two options:
- either continue straight on towards Lac des Assiettes, leading directly to the Col de la Vanoise refuge (E).
- or turn left; this is the route shown on the map and described below.
Start the short climb up Moriond, then descend to the wide^GR® 55 path and the Chalet de la Gliére.

(5) Turn right onto the^GR®55and continue to Lac des Vaches.

(6) Cross the ford and continue eastwards. The path turns south and runs alongside Lac Long to reach the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise (E).

This challenging and technically demanding route in places requires good physical fitness and a head for heights.
As with all stages, mountain hiking boots are required.
Water is available along the route.
The Col de la Vanoise refuge can accommodate 100 people. This refuge may give the impression of being a hiker’s factory. This is not the case; the welcome, organisation and meals are of high quality.

(6) Lac des Vaches and its ford are magical