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!
Departure from 22 June to 05 September 2025
Without luggage transport
795€ per person, classic accommodation.
Single departure (without luggage transfer): +90€
With luggage transport (except on days 3, 5 and 8)
2 to 6 people: 945€/ person, classic accommodation
Comfort option (up to 5 nights in a 2-person bedroom): +70€ per person (minimum 2 people)
Information and booking by telephone or e-mail.
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
TERMIGNON - REFUGE DE 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! Settling for two nights in refuge.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300m / -200m / 11km
REFUGE DE BELLECOMBE - LES AIGUILLES DE LANSERLIA
Hike to the Lanserlia lake, a short walk that will plunge you into the most secret atmosphere of the Vanoise. You can extend the hike to the superb wild plateau of Le Turc, then descend via the Rocheure valley. Overnight at the refuge.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -600m+/ -850m / 15km (with the ascent of la Pointe de Lanserlia)
7 hour walk / Elevation: +960m -960m (through le plateau du Turc)
COL DE LA VANOISE - PRALOGNAN
Cross the Leisse valley and climb to the Col de la Vanoise (2517m) between the Grande Casse, the massif's highest point (3855m) and the Vanoise glaciers. Descent to the village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise via Lac Long and the famous Lac des Vaches ford. Night in hotel in bedroom.
7.30 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -1500 m / 20km
THE RIDGES OF MONT CHARVET – PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
A gorgeous loop from Pralognan to discover one the most famous hike of the valley. Various landscapes, 360° scenery and amazing colours. The Petit Mont Blanc ( 2680m)(+/- 1000m) or the Petit and Grand Marchet circus (2554m) (+ 1150m / - 840m) are other options for that day. Back to Pralognan in the afternoon for a second night in a hotel.
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. Night in the refuge, without luggage.
7h walk / Elevation : +1400 m ; -700 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.
7.30 hour walk / Elevation: +1150m -1350m / 17km
THE PATH OF BARBIER - REFUGE DU MONTANA
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. Another more alpine itinerary is possible, through the Col de la Masse at 2923 m. Night at the refuge Le Montana.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1000 m -700 m / 14km
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1200 m -950 m / 12km (through Col de la Masse)
BALCON DU GENEPY - REFUGE DE L'ARPONT
The tour carries on with a long balcony crossing overlooking the Maurienne valley and the Arc torrent. The path winds under the foothills of the Dent Parrachée and the Arpont glacier to reach the refuge of the same name. Overnight in a dormitory without your luggage.
6 hours walk / Elevation: +750 m -750 m / 16km
DESCENT TO TERMIGNON
Direct descent to Termignon from l'Arpont, retracing a few of the previous day's steps and then via the Mont alpine pastures.
2H30 walk / Elevation: -1000 m
End of the hike in Termignon.
In July and August, it's possible to do a long loop via the Lozières lakes, then a descent to the Plan du Lac refuge and the Bellecombe parking lot. Then take the bus for the final descent to Termignon.
5h30 walk / Elevation : +740 -730m
Elevation: +/-250m to 1350m on average per day.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours on average per day.
Type of trek: mountain route with no technical difficulty.
You need to be in a good overall physical condition. Regularly practise an endurance sport such as walking, running, swimming or cycling, 3 to 4 hours a week. Your fitness training will make your walk easier and make it all the more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: levels of difficulty.
Before departure, we will send you a travel folder containing:
- 2 IGN TOP 25 maps with the route highlighted;
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek;
- 1 waterproof map holder;
- Accommodation list.
The tour is well indicated with yellow paint markings and regular signs on the ground.
The trails are also numbered.
It is preferable to know how to read a 1/25000 topographical map.
Two options are available:
without luggage transport: you carry all your luggage.
with luggage transport: your luggage is delivered to your accommodation except on days 3, 5 and 8.
CLASSIC:
4 nights in a dormitory (refuge), 2 nights in a small dormitory for 4/6 people (refuge) and 2 nights in a room for 2-4 people, depending on the number of participants (refuge and small mountain hotel).
COMFORT:
Up to 5 nights in a 2 or 4-person bedroom (depending on the exact number of participants) in gite, hotel or refuge and 3 nights in refuge, in dormitory.
Hot showers in each accomodation. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered in each accommodation the day before.Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets when 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.
IGN MAPS 1:25000: Les Arcs 3532ET, Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.
BY TRAIN
Outward journey: Departure from Paris to Modane. Then bus from Modane to Termignon.
Return: Bus from Termignon to Modane. Train from Modane to Paris
Bus Modane <> Termignon : Altibus
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf
BY CAR
Take the motorway to Modane, then follow signs for Termignon. Large free car park in Termignon in the village centre.
CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.laroueverte.com
End point in Termignon to collect your luggage.
Termignon & Haute-Maurienne Vanoise tourist office: +33 (0)4 79 20 51 67
Hôtel** La Turra (Termignon): +33 (0)4 79 20 51 36
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 for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity documents) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your bag should be big enough to hold your belongings for days 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 on days 3, 5 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 3, 5 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!) :
- small toiletries bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes for the day after (bare necessities!) and comfortable for the evening.