Tour of the five passes of the Vanoise

de fr

A 3-day hike with camping or staying in mountain huts.

The route takes you into the Vanoise National Park, close to the Gébroulaz Glacier and Lac Blanc, with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m) and the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m).
There are many other panoramic views to discover across the five passes: Col de la Masse (2,952 m), Col d’Aussois (2,914 m), Col Rouge (2,730 m), Col du Soufre (2,817 m) and Col de Chavière (2,796 m).

Details

n°25744962
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 27.00 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13,077 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13,051 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,876 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,198 ft

Photos

Col de chaviére
Direction le col du soufre
Lac blanc
Lac blanc

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Du Refuge de l'Orgère au Refuge du Fond d'Aussois par le Grand Roc

    From the Refuge de l'Orgère to the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois via the Grand Roc

    ↔7.42 mi ↗4,787 ft ↘3,412 ft
    Starting from the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes through the Valon de l'Orgère to reach the Col de la Masse (2,952 m) with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m), then follows the valleys to reach the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois.
    View the route
  2. 2
    Du Refuge Fond d'Aussois au Refuge du Saut par la Pointe de l'Observatoire

    From the Fond d'Aussois Refuge to the Saut Refuge via the Pointe de l'Observatoire

    ↔9.33 mi ↗4,724 ft ↘5,443 ft
    From the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois to the Refuge du Saut, the route passes via the Col d'Aussois (2,914 m) with the option to climb the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m) before descending into the valley via the Ritort farm, then the Col Rouge (2,730 m).
    View the route
  3. E
    Du Refuge du Saut au Refuge de l'Orgère par le Col du Soufre

    From the Refuge du Saut to the Refuge de l'Orgère via the Col du Soufre

    ↔10.24 mi ↗3,576 ft ↘4,196 ft
    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.
    View the route

Notes

Please note: this route crosses the Vanoise National Park.
To preserve the park’s natural heritage, you must follow certain rules; full details are available at: Vanoise National Park

Some additional information about the circular loop:
Good physical fitness is required, with some fairly steep climbs over the numerous passes: Col de la Masse (2,952 m), Col d’Aussois (2,914 m), Col Rouge (2,730 m), Col du Soufre (2,817 m) and Col de Chavière (2,796 m); depending on the season, snowfields may be present.

There is the option to climb the Grand Roc (3,316 m) and the Pointe de l’Observatoire (3,015 m); however, if the weather or your fitness level does not permit it, you may choose to avoid these summits.

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 25414355

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent landscapes and even a beautiful view of Mont Blanc.
I deducted one star for route tracking, as it is complex when climbing above 3,000 metres (you have to climb where you can, there isn't really a route).

Machine-translated

Charlie 38
Charlie 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb route!

Stunning scenery!

Machine-translated

User 20830753

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking From the Refuge de l'Orgère to the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois via the Grand Roc

Visorando Member
Du Refuge de l'Orgère au Refuge du Fond d'Aussois par le Grand Roc
↔7.42 mi ↗+4,787 ft ↘-3,412 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Villarodin-Bourget (Savoie)
Starting from the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes through the Valon de l'Orgère to reach the Col de la Masse (2,952 m) with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m), then follows the valleys to reach the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois.

Walking Col de la Masse, starting from the Refuge de l'Orgère

Visorando Member
↔8.92 mi ↗+3,983 ft ↘-3,986 ft ◔7h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Villarodin-Bourget (Savoie)
A hike at 2,900m: marmots, ibex, mountain pastures, scree slopes and forest – all in one.

Walking Lac de la Partie - Vallon de Polset

Visorando Member
Lac de la Partie - Vallon de Polset
↔7.81 mi ↗+2,470 ft ↘-2,470 ft ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villarodin-Bourget (Savoie)
A good hike with an uphill route along the Povaret torrent, away from the usual trails. The uphill trail is well marked but there are hardly any signposts.

Walking Refuge de l'Orgére - Refuge Peclet Polset

Visorando Member
Refuge de l'Orgére - Refuge Peclet Polset
↔5.43 mi ↗+2,986 ft ↘-1,171 ft ◔5h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Villarodin-Bourget (Savoie)
The first stage takes you from the Refuge d’Orgére to the Refuge de Peclet Polset. Although short, this first stage features a significant elevation gain, helping you get into your stride for the rest of the trek. The views above the Maurienne Valley are already splendid. You’ll cross your first pass, the Col de Chaviére, at nearly 2,800 metres. Views of the Écrins and the Thabor, reminding us of the 2018 route.

Walking Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise starting from Modane

Visorando Member
Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise au départ de Modane
↔66.01 mi ↗+23,921 ft ↘-23,917 ft ◔8 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Villarodin-Bourget (Savoie)
This fabulous 8-stage route (+ 2 variants) is challenging and requires excellent physical fitness, as some passes reach an altitude of nearly 3,000m. The first two stages deviate from the usual route, making this route even more appealing. The mountain landscapes, glaciers, pastures and flora are among the most beautiful in the Alps. Wildlife is particularly abundant, as in the Mercantour. Every day we saw marmots, ibex and chamois.

Walking Tour of the Forts d'Avrieux via the balcony trail and the Saint-Benoit waterfall.

Visorando Member
Tour des Forts d'Avrieux par le sentier balcon et la Cascade Saint-Benoit
↔4.59 mi ↗+2,159 ft ↘-2,139 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Avrieux (Savoie)
A pleasant route using the stream and Diable footbridges to access Fort Victor-Emmanuel, Fort Charles-Felix and Fort Marie-Christine. On the way back, visit the pretty Saint-Benoit waterfall.

Walking Lac du Génépy

Visorando Member
Lac du Génépy
↔9.35 mi ↗+2,956 ft ↘-2,956 ft ◔6h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Aussois (Savoie)
Circuit above Aussois between pine trees and snowfields.

Walking La Pointe de l'Observatoire

Visorando Member
La Pointe de l'Observatoire
↔9.67 mi ↗+3,238 ft ↘-3,238 ft ◔7h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Aussois (Savoie)
Belle randonnée avec, au sommet de la Pointe de l'Observatoire, une vue à 360° sur la Xanoise (Pralognan, petit Mont Blanc, Peclet Polset) et plus loin le Mont Blanc lui même.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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