First of its kind in France, the Vanoise National Park was established in 1963. A vast territory where flora, fauna and rocky mineral world are all preserved. Between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, its borders meet the Gran Paradiso massif and National Park in Italy, forming the largest nature reserve in Europe.
The tour will bring you around the famous "Dômes de la Vanoise", a range of glaciers extending over twenty kilometres at the centre of the Park and passes at the foot of the Grande Casse, the highest summit in Savoie at 3855m. In 1860, a rich Englishman employed a courageous woodsman to cut more than 800 steps in the ice so the summit could be reached for the first time.
Crossing some of the major landscapes in the Alps, this tour offers you the chance to enjoy the massif a little longer by tackling the Col du Souffre and the Gébroulaz glacier to the west (depending on conditions). Just over a week's trek, with no transfers and some nights in small mountain refuges, total immersion guaranteed!
Dates | Status | Prices |
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Includes :
Does not include :
The price is all inclusive from the meeting point to the departure point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meet at 10:30am at Termignon Tourist Office, departure of the hike.
TERMIGNON - BELLECOMBE
The hike starts in Termignon, along the Doron de Chavière, with a slightly steep climb through meadows and forest. The effort is rewarded with a spectacular view of the mountain pastures: a vast panorama, turquoise lakes reflecting the snow-capped peaks, stone chalets and a few Tarines grazing in the background! Overnight in a refuge, in rooms for 4 people.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300 m -200 m / 11km
AIGUILLES DE LANSERLIA - REFUGE DE LA FEMMA
A wild day to get into the spirit of the heart of the park. The first climb takes you to the Lanserlia lakes, surrounded by sparse vegetation. The route continues across high plateaux to the Rocheure valley and the Femma refuge. The hike can be extended to the superb wild Turc plateau. Overnight at the refuge in a dormitory, without luggage.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +650m -600m / 14km (+/-150 / 2km with the Pointe de Lanserlia)
6.30 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -900m /15km (through Pointe de Lanserlia and plateau du Turc)
COL DE PIERRE BLANCHE - REFUGE ENTRE DEUX EAUX
The morning begins with an ascent to the Col de Pierre Blanche, amidst alpine meadows and marmots. The pass leads to the wild Leisse valley at the foot of the huge south face of the Grande Casse (3855m). This valley leads quietly to the refuge d'Entre Deux Eaux and depending on the season, a visit to the farm below is a must! Night in the refuge in dormitory, without luggage.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +550m -750m / 15km
COL DE LA VANOISE - PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
Cross the Leisse valley and climb to the Col de la Vanoise at the foot of the Grande Casse; the Vanoise glaciers. Descent to the village of Pralognan la Vanoise via Lac Long and the famous ford of Lac des Vaches. Overnight in a hotel room.
5h30 walk / Elevation : + 500m / -1250m / 14km
MONT CHARVET RIDGE
A looped itinerary from Pralognan to discover one of the valley's most famous hikes and the surprising atmosphere of a gypsum mountain. A variety of landscapes, 360° panoramic views, a colorful palette... the program for this magnificent day. The Petit Mont Blanc (2680m) (+/- 1000m) or the Petit Marchet cirque and the Col de la Valette (2554m) (+ 1150m / - 840m) are possible alternatives for this day.
Return to Pralognan for a second night in a hotel room.
6h30 walk / Elevation : 1050 m -1050 m /14km
COL DES SAULCES – COL DE CHANROUGE – REFUGE DU SAUT
Ascent to the Col des Saulces, below the Petit Mont Blanc, the perfect vantage point over the Pralognan valley, the Massif de le Grande Casse and the whole of the Dômes de la Vanoise. Cross under the Aiguille du Rateau through the alpine meadows to reach the Chanrouge valley and the refuge du Saut, above the resort of Méribel, without luggage.
7h walk / Elevation : +1400 m ; -650 m / 15km
COL DU SOUFFRE - COL DE CHAVIERE - L'ORGERE
From the hut, the route takes in a colorful atmosphere along the Gébroulaz glacier to the Col du Soufre (2817m). The mineral landscape continues between Lac Blanc and Col de Chavière (2896m) in an exceptional geological universe. Back to the mountain pastures with the descent to Lac de la Partie and the Vallon de l'Orgère. Night at the refuge in dormitory.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1150 m -1350 m / 17km
THE PATH OF BARBIER - REFUGE DE PLAN SEC or LA DENT PARRACHÉE
A long traverse along the Parc de la Vanoise nature trail to the Col du Barbier, through one of the region's most beautiful forests. Enter the Aussois valley, above the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval dam lakes. Short detour to Col de la Masse at 2923 m. Night at the refuge de Plan Sec (or La Dent Parrachée), without the luggage.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m - 500 m / 12km
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1200 m - 800 m (through le col de la Masse / 12km
SENTIER BALCON DU GENEPY - TERMIGNON
The route ends with a long balcony overlooking the Maurienne valley and the Arc torrent. The path winds under the foothills of the Dent Parrachée and the L'Arpont glacier before descending to the village of Termignon.
7h walk / Elevation: + 500 m -1500 m / 19km
End of the hike at Termignon around 3.30pm.
Elevation: +/- 550m to 1250m on average per day.
Walking time: 5-7 hours on average per day.
Type of trek: mountain route with no paricular technical difficulties.
You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty
Number of participants: between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional (mountain leader).
Your luggage is transported to your accommodation by a logistics vehicle on days 1, 4, 5 and 7.
It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.
CLASSIC:
8 nights in refuges, in dormitories.
All accommodation is equipped with hot showers (except where water is in short supply).
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
For lunch, your guide will prepare a picnic based on salads of regional products.
Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
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.
Departure from Termignon. Meet at 10.30am at the Tourist Office.
BY TRAIN
Departure (the day before): from Paris Gare de Lyon, arrival at Modane. Then bus line S52, from Modane to Termignon.
Return: bus line S52, from Termignon to Modane. Then train, departing from Modane, arriving at Paris Gare de Lyon.
Timetables must be checked with the SNCF. For the S52 bus, consult the mobility guide or Cars Région Savoie.
BY CAR
Take the motorway to Modane, then follow signs for Termignon. Free car park in Termignon in the village centre.
End of the tour in Termignon.
Termignon & Haute-Maurienne Vanoise tourist office: +33 (0)4 79 20 51 67
Hôtel** La Turra (Termignon): +33 (0)4 79 20 51 36
Hôtel l'Outa : +33 (0)4 57 40 00 34
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 40 to 50 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, picnic box and cutlery, sunscreen and your identity document). Please keep a little room to carry your picnic and snacks.
Your luggage has to be big enough to contain your belongings for the nights without luggage.
You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be transported between accommodations, except on days 2, 3, 6 and 8 by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!
On nights 2, 3, 6 and 8, your luggage won't be dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). Here are the things to bring with you (about 2 kilos are enough!):