Rhêmes-Notre-Dame walks

A short day, as the next day we’ll be heading into the Gran Paradiso National Park, where wild camping is prohibited. The Hostellerie du Gran Paradis is the only place to stay overnight. The food is excellent, but be warned: at weekends it’s often packed with Italians, French and others who are mountain biking.

Another valley trek, the aim of today is Valsavarenche.

Fourth stage between Valgisenche and Val de Rheme.

A truly magnificent mountain route. Ascent, crossing the Col du Grand Small Pass, then descent. A fairly classic circuit where you are likely to see animals such as chamois and marmots. This circuit can be done in either direction, but the direction indicated allows you to enjoy impressive views on arrival at the Col du Grand Small Pass.

Facing the Grand Paradis, these two mountain pastures, now abandoned, offer a beautiful view of the glacier and the summit of this particularly popular mountain.

A visit to the Victor Emmanuel Refuge, which, like its neighbour the Chabod Refuge, can be considered the base camp for the summit of Gran Paradiso, located in the province of Aosta in northern Italy. A steep but short climb that ends between the refuge and Lake Moncorvé.

A two part hike. First up the Doire de Valgrisenche, a steady slope offering a leafy, green landscape. From the refuge, the landscape becomes essentially mineral and the slope steeper all the way to Vuert's small perched lake. Stunning high mountain surroundings.

Nestled at the foot of Tête du Ruitor and its glaciers, within a beautiful setting, Saint-Grat Lake is the highlight of any hike in its own right. Through the final twists and turns before the lake, the slope is smooth and the route straightforward. The next climb much steeper, leading to Refuge Adami gives you a stunning view point.

From Valsavaranche to Val de Cogne in the middle of a herd of chamois.

A long day lies ahead with the climb to the Col de Lauzon (3,299m). This is the highest point of the TDG. The descent from the pass is pure delight. It is possible to run downhill for 3–4 km to the Vittorio Sella Refuge. It is a large refuge with plenty of people. The descent to Valnontey is also long, but there are plenty of cafés to rest in.

The Roc de Bassagne is a double peak on the border ridge, at the junction of the Vanoise and Grand Paradis National Parks. There are many ibex here, as the valley leading to the peak is very quiet compared to the nearby Prariond trail.

A pleasant climb with views of the lake. The Chalet de l’Épée refuge is a great place to relax before the climb up to the pass. On the other side of the pass, there may be a snowfield in a narrow gully, so be careful if you’re wearing trail shoes. The Refuge de la Marmotte is a collaborative refuge. The wardens are there for two weeks and the food is good!

This easy hike in the Grande Sassière Reserve will take you to a high mountain environment, between lakes and glaciers.

While the Barrhorn (3,610 m) in Switzerland is the highest officially marked hike in Europe, the Aiguille de la Grande Sassière (3,747 m) hike takes you higher up on a path perfectly marked with cairns. It runs alongside a glacier that is unfortunately receding year after year. Magnificent view of the French and Italian peaks. Please read the recommendations in the practical information section carefully.

A family walk along a path following a small mountain river called the Sassière in the nature reserve of the same name. The walk ends at a small mountain dam that forms Lac de la Sassière. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m assez facile avec un superbe panorama sur tous les hauts sommets du département. Idéale quand on a un timing serré pour faire une randonnée.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m, assez facile en l'absence de neige (comme pour sa voisine l'Aiguille Pers), et dans un environnement très vite minéral. Elle peut être très fréquentée du fait de son accès aisé, mais le panorama au sommet en vaut le détour.

Leaving the shore of Lac du Chevril, we crossed the Vallon de la Sache and climbed up a beautiful balcony path to the Refuge de la Martin, nestled amongst its mountain pastures. The descent took us beneath the cliffs down to the village of Les Brévières, nestled beneath the imposing Tignes dam. Spectacular views are guaranteed, stretching from the peaks and glaciers of the Vanoise to Mont Blanc, via Lac du Chevril and the Tarentaise.

A wild hike in the Vanoise, taking place entirely above 2,500m. As signposting is minimal (two signs along the entire route, one of which is at the start), it is best to be well-prepared and equipped (map, compass, GPS, etc.). Admittedly, there are cairns dotted along the route, but the only reliable indication they provide is that someone has been there before you. Snowfields can persist quite late in the season, with some residual traces remaining in late September.

This is a pleasant hike where you can encounter chamois and marmots and enjoy breathtaking views of the main peaks of the Vanoise from the summit. On one side: Grande Motte, Grande Casse, Dôme de Chasseforêt, Dent Parachée, Méan Martin. On the other: Charbonnel, Albaron, Grande Chiamarella. In the background, Mont Blanc, of course.

A Trek through Valgrisenche with a view over the large village dam.

Exceptional panorama at the summit of this 3,000 m peak. This route from the Pont de l'Oulietta adds 300 m of elevation gain compared to the start from the Col de l'Iseran but allows you to be alone in the world on 80% of the route.

A balcony route with beautiful views of the glaciers, passing by the small Lac du Pys and then the Refuge du Carro. Don't miss the Lacs Noir and Blanc, where you can recharge your batteries before descending to the traditional hamlet of L'Écot and then Bonneval-sur-Arc.

Circular walk in the Vanoise National Park, outside the Val d'Isère ski area at the foot of Pointe de la Sana.

Hike through the Ruisseau des Fours valley to the refuge, which is the starting point for many hikes in the Vanoise.

A long and difficult stage due to the ascension of 2 passes.

The hike begins with a long climb up to the pass. The views are magnificent. The descent to Valgrisenche is long. There is a restaurant on the descent to Planaval, run by young people who have taken over their parents’ business. It’s a lovely place to spend some time whilst waiting for the hike to end at the bottom of the valley.