6 days at the heart of France's first National Park
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.
You will like
The wild and protected area of the first National Park in France
A route over high mountain passes along glacier of Dômes de la Vanoise
A great variety of landscapes between Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys
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, without luggage. 3 hour walk / Elevation: +850m / 6km
Day 2
AUSSOIS PASS - LES PRIOUX
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. Night in refuge. 7hour walk / Elevation: +750m -1450m / 16km
Day 3
VALLON DE CHAVIÈRE - LES BARMETTES
Smaller hike through the Chavière valley to the lovely village of Pralognan la Vanoise. Going up in the Arcelin circus, below the Aiguille de la Vanoise, before crossing the Col de Moriond and its amazing scenery. Down to the Barmettes, at the top of the Pralognan ski area. Night in a refuge.
Depending on the weather and the group, a longer hike is possible by the Petit Mont Blanc or the Mont Charvet ridges. 5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -450m / 13km
Day 4
VANOISE PASS - ENTRE DEUX EAUX or PLAN DU LAC
From the refuge, 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. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -520m / 14km
Day 5
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, without luggage. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -800m / 18km
Day 6
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. 5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1200m / 11km
At the end of the tour, taxi transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 4:30pm.
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.
Personalised tour available, contact us...
The trip
LEVEL ***
Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day. Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain hike on marked trails including gravel paths.
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
GUIDING
Group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader. 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.
ACCOMMODATION
CLASSIC: 5 nights in refuge, in dormitory.
All accommodation offers hot showers except on day 5 at Fond des Fours refuge. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.
MEALS
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are included. They are carefully and daily prepared 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.), but we ask you to bring extra food for your picnic lunches. 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.
MAPS
IGN maps 1:25000 : Les Arcs 3532ET, Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Meet Monday at 2:30pm in front of Aussois tourist office (or in front of Modane train station at 2:15pm). Plan to have lunch before meeting.
BY TRAIN Timetables must be checked 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.
Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
1 change of clothes for the evening
A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening
Other Equipment
Toilet bag
Quick drying towel
Sunglasses and sun cream
Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
Knife, fork and spoon
Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
Plastic cup for coffee
Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
Survival blanket
Head torch or hand torch
Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
Identity card or passport
BACKPACK
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.
BAGGAGE TRANSPORT
You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily, except day 1 and 5) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy. Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!
BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE
On nights 1 and 5, 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
6 Days
Guided / with a guide
With baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level *** 
From 860 €
Next departure on 16/06/25
Very good hike. Bastille was a great guide and saved my trip with his spare boots (mine broke during the trip).
Divesh le 25/10/2019