refuge du Grand Bec walks

An exposed hike requiring caution, offering a stunning view over the entire southern sector of Pralognan-la-Vanoise.

Day1 of the Grande Casse circular route, from Pralognan to the Refuge de la Leisse, passing close to the impressive Grande Casse, all in a wild setting dotted with lakes.

Stage5 of this route between the Col de la Vanoise refuge and the Arpont refuge. A stage without any major difficulty. The scenery is extraordinary, as you walk alongside the Vanoise Glacier for the entire hike. You will catch sight of the Rechasse, Roche Ferran and Arpont glaciers. You will pass at the foot of the Grande Casse and its glacier, the Pointe de la Réchasse and Mont Pelve.

The 4th stage of this route, which will take you from the Valette refuge to the Col de la Vanoise refuge. One of the most challenging stages, featuring the ascent of the Col du Grand Marchet and its highly technical descent. A balcony-like route above Pralognan, the Petit Marchet, the Grand Marchet cirque, and the pass of the same name, leading to the Lac des Vaches and its ford, with the Grande Casse and the Col de La Vanoise refuge in the background. A technical stage, but one of the most beautiful.

This third stage will take you from the Refuge des Lacs Merlets to the Refuge de la Valette. This stage is undoubtedly the most challenging, with 1,400 metres of elevation gain. The ascent of the Petit Mont Blanc, a difficult descent to Les Prioux, followed by another beautiful and long climb (900m of elevation gain) to the Col de la Valette and its refuge, will make for a memorable day.

This ninth stage takes place in the Vanoise massif. First along the GR® 5 to Val Claret and then via the Via Alpina, which crosses the Haute Vanoise before rejoining the GR® 5.From the refuge, the path joins the GR® 5 at Plan de la Grassaz. The view opens out onto a vast plateau. The path passes Lake Grattaleu, the Refuge du Palet and the pass of the same name. It descends towards Val Claret and leaves the GR® 5 for the Haute Vanoise variant via the Via Alpina and the GR® 55. It climbs towards the Col de Fresse but bypasses it to reach the Col de la Leisse. The trail descends beneath the Grande Motte glacier, skirting the Lac des Nettes, and reaches the Refuge de la Leisse. At the Croé-Vie bridge, the Via Alpina leaves the GR® 55, heads for the Refuge d’Entre Deux Eaux, and crosses the Torrent de la Rocheure to rejoin the GR® 5. It climbs towards Lac des Lozières and then, at the foot of the glaciers, runs along a ridge overlooking the Doron Termignon valley and reaches the Refuge de l’Arpont.

Day3 of the circular loop around the Grande Casse, descent to the charming Champagny-le-Haut valley from the Refuge du Col du Palet with views of the Grande Casse.

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.

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.

From the Refuge du Saut to the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes close to the Gébroulaz Glacier via the Col du Soufre (2,817 m) before descending towards Lac Blanc and, via theGR®55, the Col de Chavière (2,796 m) and the Tête Noire rocks.