Tour de la Lauzière

This small mountain range undoubtedly offers one of the most stunning sequences of panoramic views. But beware of the challenging paths and the isolation. Pay particular attention to water management: streams and springs often run dry in summer.
The starting point is Saint-François-Longchamp, accessible by public transport or by road. Parking is easy and free there in summer. The stages are connecting days. This route follows the Tour de la Lauzière route with a detour via La Thuile and the Col de l’Arc. You’ll spend every other night in a refuge and the rest in a bivouac.
Do not attempt this hike if you are not sure-footed: although it stays on the paths (or strays very little from them), this route requires vigilance and follows routes that are very rarely used. You will almost certainly find yourself alone, or almost alone, for most of the day, in conditions where the markings are often half-faded and the paths obscured by livestock tracks. High-altitude cloud cover is common.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Saint-François-Longchamp – Lac de la Grande Léchère mountain hut

   3.90 mi 833 ft 528 ft

   Starting from Saint-François-Longchamp, this first stage of the Tour de la Lauzière is a gentle walk to the Grande Léchère Lake Mountain Hut, where you’ll spend your first night.

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2. 2

   Lac de la Grande Léchère mountain hut – Montartier Lakes

   10.81 mi 4,577 ft 3,084 ft

   A lovely climb through the upper pastures where the cows that produce the milk for Beaufort cheese graze, with views of the Vanoise, the Thabor Massif, the Aiguilles d’Arves and the foothills of the Écrins. Then the route changes direction, offering views of Belledonne, the Chartreuse and the Bauges, before setting up camp at the Montartier Lakes.

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3. 3

   Montartier Lakes – Refuge de la Thuile

   11.51 mi 4,298 ft 5,128 ft

   From a bivouac, all alone in the world, a long stage. The secured sections of the Passage des Moutons, Lac de Clartan, the descent to the Chalet du Tour, the paths winding up and down through Pétillat and its waterfall. The ascent to Lac Noir, the passage along the western ridge of the Petit Arc, a bit of off-trail walking; before trudging tirelessly towards a final climb through the woodland to reach the Refuge de la Thuile. What a view from its cross!

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4. 4

   Refuge de la Thuile – Col de l’Arc

   9.24 mi 4,009 ft 3,770 ft

   A change of scenery: the view opens out towards the Beaufortain, the Tarentaise, the Aravis and then the Vanoise. You pass beneath the Grand Arc, descend towards the Vallon de Bayet, cross the Col Basmont, then spend the night at the Col de l’Arc in the unmanned hut

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5. 5

   Col de l’Arc – Refuge du Logis des Fées

   8.91 mi 3,353 ft 3,406 ft

   It’s hard to say much about this section, as we completed the whole of it in driving rain and cloud. The route is challenging and stony, with numerous herds of livestock and detours… But it remains so beautiful despite everything. The climb up the Bellachat is less difficult than it looks. The landscape is actually very varied: there’s a lot of rocky terrain on the ascent of the Bellachat, with steep cirques all the way to the Lacs du Loup, where the mountain pastures take over before giving way to the Cirque du Colomban, only to return near the Refuge du Logis des Fées.

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6. 6

   Logis des Fées mountain hut – Lac du Cheval Noir

   8.21 mi 3,678 ft 1,568 ft

   Fancy a goat’s path? You’re in for a treat. Whilst the climb to the Col de la Madeleine is very smooth going, the path leading to the Col du Cheval Noir from the Grande Combe is more akin to trail running. It’s a difficult climb, sometimes requiring you to get down on all fours, with your hands almost constantly in use, but it’s nonetheless safe if you tackle it without rushing. Camping by the Cheval Noir lakes promises complete solitude.

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7. E

   Lacs du Cheval Noir – Saint-François-Longchamp

   3.44 mi 249 ft 3,123 ft

   Final, connecting stage. A gruelling descent along the Col du Cheval Noir trail before rolling gently towards Saint-François-Longchamp, past cattle sheds, herds and ski facilities.

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