Vanoise walks

This is a lovely, easy hike in the Vanoise. It is also a lake circuit dominated by the Vanoise glaciers between the Dent Parrachée and the Grande Casse. From Lac Blanc to the Plan du Lac refuge, the route is neither mapped nor marked.

Located in the heart of the Vanoise massif, this route is a good introduction to France's first national park and goes around the Aiguille de la Vanoise. In early summer (June), you'll easily spot ibex, marmots and maybe even chamois. It is best to park at the Fontanettes car park above Pralognan-la-Vanoise, but you can also start from Pralognan. Moderator's addition on 04/08/2021: Please note! For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that you do this route in the opposite direction to the one suggested here. See the reviews at the bottom of this page.

Lac de la Plagne is a classic day hike in the Peisey Valley. It takes you right into the heart of the Vanoise National Park in a very mountainous setting. The normal route can be done without a map, as it is entirely on theGR®5, which is why I am suggesting a wilder route here, but also more challenging due to numerous stream crossings and some off-trail sections.

From the new car park at the Aussois dams, there is a fairly easy route around Lake Plan-d'Amont, which allows you to discover the four refuges in the southern part of the Vanoise National Park. You enter the heart of the park. In summer, there are many marmots and they are not shy. The landscapes are magnificent and varied, from the rhododendron bushes on the lake shore to the Labby glacier and the mineral deserts of La Fournache.

An easy walk in the Vanoise that is suitable for children or as a warm-up walk at the start of your stay. The circuit allows you to discover the Cirque des Nants and the Chavière valley from the balcony trail. There is a small lake on this trail that is a nice place to stop for the children.

This is a classic route in Pralognan, which takes theGR®55"motorway" on the way back. On the way there, the climb through the Cirque de l'Arcelin and Lac des Assiettes is truly superb and fairly uncrowded.

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.

The Chapelle des Vernettes is a highlight of Baroque religious art in the Tarentaise region and a must-see hike in the Peisey Valley. Its main advantage is its accessibility, which can become a problem in the height of summer when many cars make the trip.

A beautiful loop on the trails of the Belleville Valley. Between mountain pastures, forests and ridges, you will discover magnificent panoramic views that unfold throughout the route. This hike is suitable for families with young hikers. There are numerous signs along the route to guide you.

Circuit above Aussois between pine trees and snowfields.

A family hike on trails in the Tuéda Nature Reserve on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. A route where you can see marmots running along the path, with a stop at Lac des Fées, ideal for a long break. Finally, pass by the Refuge du Saut and then Lac de Tuéda and its plateau.

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.

This hike explores a wild area starting from the lively resort of Les Ménuires. There are lakes to discover, of course, but also a multitude of streams and rhododendron beds. Marmots and chamois watch over your progress.

Le Moriond is a small peak located on the Aiguille de la Vanoise ridge. This summit is an easily accessible viewpoint from Pralognan, offering views of the Aiguille de la Vanoise and the Grande Casse. Marmots are never far away. Etymology of Moriond: round mountain. Seen from Pralognan, this name is entirely justified!

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.

A half-day hike for intermediate walkers. You'll walk through different settings that offer a large range of Vanoise flora, while benefiting from an extraordinary view over the summits of Maurienne and the Ecrins national park.

Une jolie randonnée dans la montagne à vaches (celles qui font le Beaufort). Belle vue sur la vallée de l'Arc et le massif des Grandes Rousses. Presque tout le parcours est au soleil.

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.

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.

A pleasant, easy hike on the balconies of the Pointe de la Masse. The circuit takes you to the Lac et Refuge du Lou, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the different districts of Les Ménuires resort. Val Thorens resort is also visible, as are the glaciers above it.

This hike is not technically difficult and can be completed in half a day. It offers beautiful views, including two lookout points. The trails are sometimes difficult to see, so a GPS device may be useful, although the terrain is clear and the waypoints are visible from a distance at all times.You will pass through mountain pastures where cows may be present in season.

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.

This summit is the end of a ridge descending from the Vanoise glaciers and allows you to immerse yourself on this slope of the right bank of the Torrent de Chavière overlooking the Prioux, without too much elevation gain or real technical difficulty, but at the cost of part of the route being off-trail.

Hike on the southern slope of Mont Jovet in a fairly wide loop, passing by the Belvédère de Grande Roche. The first part is in a shaded area in the Bois de la Cour, then the Bois des Roches. The route includes a slightly exposed section on the ridge of Mont Jovet. The return journey is on the other side, along a stream where you can stop to cool off. The entire hike offers a succession of varied panoramic views between the Tarentaise and Haute-Tarentaise valleys.

This is a fairly challenging circular hike around the Aiguille Percée, but it offers breathtaking views.As the climb up Les Condus is tough (facing the slope for the entire first part of the hike), we chose to take two cross-country trails that climb more gently to make the hike more suitable for children.It is also possible to do it in reverse, climbing up via Parafour (the trail winds) and descending via Les Condus.The use of the app is strongly recommended.

Family hike in the hills above Tignes Le Lac, suitable for young hikers who already have 1 or 2 years of hiking experience. It allows you to discover the Lacs du Chardonnet on a loop rather than by ski lift as indicated by the tourist office. The Visorando app is recommended for the unmarked sections

Hike suitable for families (but with a significant elevation gain), starting from Tignes Lavachet, to see the magnificent Salin Waterfalls with a detour via the Gouille de Salin. There are a few wooden footbridges and several places where walking shoes are required.

Family hike starting from Tignes le Lac. On the recommendation of the tourist office, we started with the Sentier Découverte to avoid a steep and rocky section on the descent. However, it may also be advantageous to do this hike in the opposite direction to the one described here to avoid crossing the pass at the end.

A lovely hike that allows you to enjoy very different terrains: forest, alpine pastures, rocks. Beautiful view of the Beaufortain, especially the Pierra Menta, and allows you to approach the menacing north face of Bellecôte. As a bonus, an easy 3000-metre peak.

This half-day hike is easy for most of the route but presents some difficulty during the (optional) ascent of the Roc du Diable. The rest of the route is mostly on paths prepared for mountain machinery, so there are no particular difficulties. There is a beautiful panoramic view from the top of the Roc du Diable (2,426 m). This hike is not signposted, so it is recommended that you use the app for certain sections.

Mountain bike and/or electric mountain bike loop starting from the Plagne Montalbert resort, heading towards the charming little village of Notre-Dame du Pré. This ride takes you past two points of interest, including a climbing site and a waterfall.

This loop south of the Lauzière allows you to explore both sides of the chain, climbing directly to the Pas de Sarvatan, then crossing the western slope via a well-marked trail before descending from the Col de Monjoie through beautiful meadows.