6 days
Guided / with a guide
With baggage transport
Classic (dormitory)
Level *** 
From 720 €
The first of its kind in France, the Vanoise National Park was established in 1963. A vast territory where flora, fauna and a rocky mineral world are all preserved. Between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, its borders meet the Gran Paradiso massif in Italy forming the largest nature reserve in Europe. At the centre of this mountain range lays the icecap of the Domes de la Vanoise, extending over twenty kilometres.
This journey, at the heart of the park, takes a route via high mountain passes which connect Aussois, Pralognan and the Haute Maurienne. Trails at high altitude in a fragile mineral world, through vast mountain pastures of the Vanoise where dry-stone buildings punctuate this beautiful route.
Includes:
Does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Meeting point on Sunday at 2:15pm at Aussois tourist point (or in front of Modane train station at 2:00pm). Plan to have lunch before.
AUSSOIS - PLAN D’AMONT LAKE
Cross Aussois village, climb up to Côtes hamlet and continue to Aval and Amont lakes to Plan Sec refuge. Night in a dormitory in the refuge.
3 hour walk / Elevation: +850m
AUSSOIS PASS - PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
Start from Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges. Climb to Aussois pass (2914m) with its backdrop of Dôme of Vanoise, Dent Parrachée and Mont-Blanc. From the pass, possible to continue to the Observation Point at 3015m. Descend through the Ritor valley to Prioux anda quick transfer to get to Pralognan, the capital of hiking. Night in refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +750m -1300m
VANOISE PASS - ENTRE DEUX EAUX or PLAN DU LAC
Short transfer to Les Fontanettes. Climb to the Vanoise pass (2517m). Amazing views over Aiguille de la Vanoise and Grande Casse (3855m), highest point of the mountain range. Passing Lac des Vaches and its famous ford, follow Long and Rond lakes to arrive in Leisse valley and Entre Deux Eaux or Plan du Lac refuges. View over the Dômes de la Vanoise. Night in a refuge.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1250m -500m
ROCHEURE LAKE - FOND DES FOURS
Departure towards Rocheure valley, climb up to the lake and to the mountain pass at 2900m high. Cross the desert and wild Méan Martin high glacial plateau to reach the foot of the north face and the Fond des Fours refuge. Night in a refuge (*No luggage transport).
5 hour walk / Elevation: +750m -450m
COL DES FOURS - BONNEVAL SUR ARC
Climb to Col des Fours (2976m), then descend to Pont de la Neige below the Iseran mountain pass. Cross mountain pastures to arrive at the very pretty Bonneval-sur-Arc village. Night in hotel or gite.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1200m
MAURIENNE BALCONY - EVETTES VALLEY
Depending on the group and on the weather, balcony trail of Haute Maurienne valley, facing Albaron summit (3637m) or hike in Evettes valley passing by the beautiful village of Ecot (classified village).
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -700m
At the end of the tour, taxi transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 3:30pm.
The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, unknown factors and situations beyond our control can affect this itinerary and may change the route, timings etc.
Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain trail with no technical difficulty.
Group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.
CLASSIC: 4 nights in refuge, in dormitory. 1 night in hotel or gite.
All accommodation offers hot showers except Fond des Fours refuge.
For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a healthy salads and local products (except Day 1).
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.
IGN maps 1:25000 : Les Arcs 3532ET, Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.
Meeting point Sunday at 2:15pm in front of Aussois tourist office (or in front of Modane train station at 2:00pm). Plan to have lunch before.
BY TRAIN
2019 timetable. Inbound: depart from the Paris-Gare de Lyon at 6:27am or 7:53am, arrive in Modane at 10:47am or 1:56pm.
Return: depart from Modane at 5:50pm or 6:04pm arrive in Paris-Gare de Lyon at 10:14pm or 00:11am.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on
www.oui.sncf
BY CAR
Take the A6 motorway to Lyon, then the A43 direction Chambery and Modane.
At Modane follow direction Aussois via the D215.
Free parking next to the tourist office.
CAR-SHARING Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com
At the end of the tour, taxi transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 3:30pm.
Aussois Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 79 20 30 80
www.aussois.com
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your baggage will be transported daily (except on Day 4) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!
Very good hike. Bastille was a great guide and saved my trip with his spare boots (mine broke during the trip).