Tour of the Alpes Grées

de fr

The Franco-Italian Alpes Grées mountain range lies in Savoie on the French side, and spans two valleys in Italy: the Aosta Valley and the Piedmont Valley.
Much of the Grées Alps is covered by two national parks: the Vanoise and the Gran Paradiso.
A truly alpine route where you’ll remain above 2,300 metres, with magnificent views of the glaciers, not to mention the sections through the Fontine and Beaufort mountain pastures.

Details

n°3904873
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 55.38 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20,118 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 18,793 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,948 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,571 ft

Photos

Rifugio Mario Bezzi ä Rifugio Benevolo
Refuge Benevolo
le pont
la Sauche

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Chenal - Riffugio Mario Bezzi

    Chenal – Mario Bezzi Refuge

    ↔8.01 mi ↗3,907 ft ↘2,037 ft
    A steady climb taking you through La Combaz and the listed village of Le Monal with its small lakes, with a breathtaking view of Mont Pourri in the background; further up, you’ll cross the Vallon du Clou, which has been listed and protected since March 2013, to reach the Col du Rocher Blanc (2,830 m), and then descend to the Refuge de Mario Bezzi.
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  2. 2
    Mario Bezzi - Benevolo

    Mario Bezzi – Benevolo

    ↔7.31 mi ↗3,648 ft ↘3,629 ft
    Hike up the magnificent glacial valley, which marks the end of the Val Grisenche, overlooking the imposing Glariettez Glacier. Access to the Val de Rhême via the Col de Bassac-Déré (3,082 m), then a descent through a high-mountain landscape to Lac de Golettaz, where the seracs are reflected in the water. The route then descends through the mountain pastures to the Refuge Benevolo (2,285 m).
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  3. 3
    Bénévolo - Chivasso

    Bénévolo – Chivasso

    ↔6.47 mi ↗3,005 ft ↘1,975 ft
    The ascent takes you through very wild, virtually off-trail terrain up to the Nivoletta Alpine Pass (3,152 m), followed by a descent via the gullies overlooking the magnificent Leitz and Rosset Lakes in the Valsavarenche. You then make your way towards the Chivasso Refuge through splendid flower-filled mountain pastures, renowned for their delicious fontina cheese.
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  4. 4
    Chivasso - Carro

    Chivasso – Carro

    ↔6.52 mi ↗3,130 ft ↘2,582 ft
    Cross the mountain pastures along a descending path, from where there is a magnificent view of Lake Agniel and Lake Serru (2,240 m). A path leads to Lago Delle Rocc Grandi and the high-altitude path over the Col du Carro (3,122 m). The pass marks the French-Italian border and the entrance to the Vanoise National Park. A steep descent leads to the Refuge du Carro (2,759 m) for a well-deserved rest. Please note: Just before Lac du Caro, the glacier tongue has swept away the landmarks (markings, cairns), makingnavigation and progress very difficult(see notice dated 7 September 2026).
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  5. 5
    Carro - Fond des Fours

    Carro – Fond des Fours

    ↔10.53 mi ↗2,474 ft ↘3,212 ft
    The magnificent balcony path takes you to the Col des Fours, under the curious gaze of chamois and marmots, as far as the Pont de la Neige (2,518 m), where you’ll find signs of civilisation as you cross the famous Col de l’Iseran road. As soon as you’ve crossed it, you’ll leave it behind as you head for the Col des Fours (2,976 m). Descend through the valley of the same name to reach the Col du Fond-des-Fours (2,537 m).
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  6. 6
    Fond des Fours - la Leisse

    Fond des Fours – La Leisse

    ↔10.52 mi ↗3,061 ft ↘3,215 ft
    A little-used path leading to the Col de la Rocheure (2,911 m) runs alongside a myriad of small high-altitude lakes, before descending to the Refuge de la Femma. The ascent to the Col de Pierre-Blanche (2,842 m) is steady and not very well marked, even veering off the beaten track. The view is magnificent over the rocky Leisse valley, nestled between the giant peaks of the Grande Motte and the Grande Casse. Descend through these deserted landscapes towards the eagle’s nest that is the Refuge de la Leisse (2,487 m).
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  7. E
    La Leisse - Tignes Val Claret

    La Leisse – Tignes Val-Claret

    ↔6.01 mi ↗892 ft ↘2,142 ft
    A steady climb takes you to the Col de la Leisse (2,761 m), offering breathtaking views of the Grande Motte glacier, before descending to Tignes Val-Claret with, in the background, the Dôme de la Sache (3,588 m), the Pointe de la Grande Sassière and, to the left, the Col du Palet and the Pointe du Chardonnet.
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Notes

Arrange for a car in Tignes Val-Claret on the final day to shuttle you to the start of the hike at Le Chenal.

Mountain huts along the route:
- Mario Bezzi, altitude 2,279 m. Contact: 39016597129, mobile 393482641927
- Benevolo (altitude 2,285 m) Contact: 390165936143 or 393454238692
- Chivasso Mountain Hut, altitude 2,532 m. Contact: 016594141
- Le Carro (altitude 2,759 m) Contact: 0479059579
- Le Fond-des-Fours (altitude 2,537 m) Contact: 0479061690
- La Femma (altitude 2,352 m) Contact: 0479054540
- La Leisse (altitude 2,487 m) Contact: 0479054533 (mobile: 0615443368)

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.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Andeor
Andeor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route, which will probably be one of my favourites. Thank you – I’d never have thought of going for a walk in this area!

It does, however, require you to be in (very) good physical shape (some of the slopes are steep…), especially as not all the terrain is easy: see, in particular, my comments on the Benevolo–Chivasso/Savoia and Chivasso/Savoia–Carro stages.

Strictly not recommended for walkers who are prone to vertigo! (see the Chivasso/Savoia–Carro stage).

Despite Visorando’s warnings, we didn’t come across any snowfields or herds guarded by dogs (but plenty of marmots, and even some chamois!). We hiked in late August/early September.
Do remember, however, to ring the mountain huts in advance to ask them about this.

Tip: if you’re in pain somewhere and think you might struggle to climb into a bunk bed in a mountain hut, give them a ring before you arrive, and the warden might be able to sort you out by giving you a bottom bunk ;-)

Machine-translated

gérard bruet
gérard bruet

Hello
No need for crampons – the roped-up sections are well maintained
Have a nice day

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Andeor
Andeor

For your information: as of 15 August 2026, contrary to what Visorando states, there are no snowfields on the route or the mountain passes, and this has been the case for several weeks (confirmed by all the mountain huts along the route).

Machine-translated

User 8081455

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We completed this route in late July/early August 2025, camping in bivouacs.

The entire route is generally very well marked, and the GPX track proved to be very accurate. On the third day, we opted to go via the Col du Rosset, which is slightly lower than the Col de la Nivoletta and shortens the stage, although the climb is still steep. Finally, we decided to return to Val d'Isère from the bottom of the fours and thus finish the tour on day 5.

We encountered very little snow: only two short, gently sloping snowfields during the climb to the Col du Carro on the Italian side. This climb takes place in a very wild and unfrequented area, but the trail is well marked and the GPX track is reliable. Be careful, though: the end of the climb is very technical, with three sections equipped with ropes that are more like climbing or via ferrata than classic hiking.

Finally, regarding refuges, please note that the Chivasso is permanently closed, but you can stay at the Savoia, which is a few metres lower down (less typical). Please note that the Fond des Fours refuge has very limited capacity. Booking is compulsory, including for bivouacking nearby, and you need to book in advance as only 10 people can bivouac there.

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User 4089289

Hello Cindy, did you do the tour? I'm interested in the answers to the questions you asked . Thank you

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Cindy hike
Cindy hike

Hello, I'm planning to do this route in a few days. Do you think I should take crampons or is there likely to be a lot of snow at this time of year?
Also, the route was mapped out a few years ago. Do you know if the cable sections are well maintained?
Thanks

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Chenal – Mario Bezzi Refuge

Visorando Member
Chenal - Riffugio Mario Bezzi
↔8.01 mi ↗+3,907 ft ↘-2,037 ft ◔7h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A steady climb taking you through La Combaz and the listed village of Le Monal with its small lakes, with a breathtaking view of Mont Pourri in the background; further up, you’ll cross the Vallon du Clou, which has been listed and protected since March 2013, to reach the Col du Rocher Blanc (2,830 m), and then descend to the Refuge de Mario Bezzi.

Walking Le Monal via Chenal d'en bas

Visorando Member
Le Monal par Chenal d'en bas
↔3.12 mi ↗+758 ft ↘-758 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
Le Monal is one of the most beautiful examples of mountain pastures in the Tarentaise. Facing the Mont Pourri glaciers, this hike offers magnificent, colourful landscapes in every season.

Walking From Le Chenal to the Refuge de l’Archeboc

Visorando Member
Du Chenal au Refuge de l’Archeboc
↔8.69 mi ↗+2,467 ft ↘-1,388 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
First stage of the Tour de l’Archeboc. The route runs mainly through the forest with lovely views of Mont Pourri right from the start, leading to the Refuge de l’Archeboc.

Walking Archeboc Circuit

Visorando Member
Tour de l'Archeboc
↔30.96 mi ↗+10,476 ft ↘-10,479 ft ◔4 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A four-day loop with three nights in mountain huts, starting from the Chenal car park in Sainte-Foy Tarentaise, between France and Italy via the Archeboc, Chalet de l’Épée and Mario Bezzi mountain huts. No technical difficulties on the route: the difficulty here depends solely on the distance and the elevation gain. Very few people along the entire route (completed in mid-August). Beautiful, varied views every day.

Walking Chalets de la Davie, Nazonde and Nancruet via the Via Alpina

Visorando Member
Chalets de la Davie, Nazonde et Nancruet par la Via Alpina
↔7.30 mi ↗+1,877 ft ↘-1,870 ft ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
The Via Alpina offers a wealth of short walks; this one allows you to explore the small mountain hamlets, with the added bonus of a magnificent view of the Mont Pourri glaciers and the Dôme de la Sache.

Walking Lac du Clou and Lacs Verdet via Le Monal

Visorando Member
Lac du Clou et Lacs Verdet par le Monal
↔10.05 mi ↗+3,501 ft ↘-3,497 ft ◔7h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
In autumn, around the hamlet of Le Monal, the larch trees set the valley ablaze, whilst on the opposite slope the Mont Pourri glaciers glisten in the sun. Higher up, it’s the Balmes glaciers that steal the show.This hike to the lakes is a real feast for the eyes.

Walking Lac du Clou and Col de l'Aiguille

Visorando Member
Le Lac du Clou et le Col de l'Aiguille
↔7.15 mi ↗+2,703 ft ↘-2,703 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A magnificent circular if you don't have fog like we did.

Walking Pointe d’Ormelune and the Lakes Circular Route

Visorando Member
Pointe d'Ormelune et boucle des lacs
↔14.07 mi ↗+5,023 ft ↘-5,020 ft ◔12 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A long and beautiful route in the Alpes Grées (the Haute Tarentaise border range) combining a walk through a listed village (Le Monal), an ascent of a listed valley (du Clou), a summit of the border range offering sweeping views of the French and Italian Alps, and finally a circular route allowing you to explore a fine variety of glacial lakes. Regarding the ‘Very Difficult’ rating for the route: see the ‘Practical Information’ section.This hike is reserved for fit and experienced hikers.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.