Tour du Grand Coin

de fr

A two-day hike with a bivouac around the Grand Coin above Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.
It offers the chance to explore a little-known and rarely visited area on the edge of the Vanoise National Park.

Details

n°331363
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.09 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6,509 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6,506 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,842 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,367 ft

Photos

Zone de bivouac
Col du Bonnet du Prêtre
Balcon avant chalet du tovet

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Montpascal - Valbuche

    Montpascal – Valbuche

    ↔8.10 mi ↗4,413 ft ↘1,834 ft
    First day of a two-day hike in the Maurienne with a bivouac. Hike completed in 2016 with a break at the Col de la Baisse, another above the Chalet des Brunes and a final one at the Chalet du Tovet. Note: The route shown is based on my GPS watch, which I never paused, which explains the circular patterns in certain places.
    View the route
  2. E

    Valbuche – Montpascal

    ↔5.98 mi ↗2,096 ft ↘4,669 ft
    The second day of a two-day hike in the Maurienne region, including a bivouac.
    View the route

Notes

Water is readily available in the rivers you cross and at the Chalet de l’Alpetaz (Day 1), where water is drawn from a spring. However, as there are sheep in the area, you should take care to ensure that the water has not been contaminated.

The hike includes a bivouac at 2,200 m, so you’ll need to set off with suitable equipment for spending a night at this altitude.

The hike requires considerable mountain experience and good navigation skills. Part of the route follows very little-used paths, which are little more than flattened grassy tracks. At times, they disappear completely. Signposting is virtually non-existent along the vast majority of the route.

A map is therefore essential. A compass is also required to help you find your way in the event of fog.

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

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Violène Salem
Violène Salem

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike undertaken on 10 and 11 August 2024: since 2016, there have been slightly more signposts, but this hike requires good navigational skills; it is very quiet (apart from between the Chatelard and Bonnet du Prêtre passes) and at times there are just narrow paths that disappear into the grass.
The first day covers a long distance, much of it along the mountain pasture track. It can get very hot.
The second day is fabulous for anyone who loves ridges and isn’t prone to vertigo.
A bivouac with a magnificent atmosphere.
We spotted plenty of vultures and few herds.

Machine-translated

MerlinBl
MerlinBl

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I’m posting my photos from the hike.
Taken all along the route.

Machine-translated

MerlinBl
MerlinBl
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Thank you for this wonderful hike.

The route is indeed poorly signposted on the ground, particularly on the first section of the walk up to Crêt Logan.
A good level of fitness is required as it is difficult to find your way due to the lack of a clearly marked path on the ground. You really must stick to the GPS route, as this is accurate.
The climb up to Crêt Logan after the Valbuche refuge is demanding and, in my opinion, should be avoided if you suffer from severe vertigo. Magnificent and very rewarding.
We came across many herds along the way with their patous (guard dogs); be sure to give them a wide berth to avoid a head-on encounter.
We spotted marmots and vultures. We didn’t come across a single hiker in early September, from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Thank you and have a lovely day.

Machine-translated

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