6 days at the heart of France's first National Park
First of its kind in France, Vanoise National Park was established in 1963. A vast territory where flora, fauna and rocky mineral world are all preserved. Between Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, its borders meet Gran Paradiso massif in Italy, forming the largest nature reserve in Europe. At the centre of this mountain range lays the icecap of Domes de la Vanoise, extending over twenty kilometres.
This journey, at the heart of the park, takes a path via high mountain passes which connects Aussois, Pralognan and Haute Maurienne. Trails at high altitude in a fragile mineral world, the vast mountain pastures of Vanoise and the dry-stone buildings punctuate this beautiful journey.
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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
Stages at Pralognan and Bonneval-sur-arc villages
Accommodation in gites, refuges and small friendly hotels
Without luggage transfer 595€ per person, classic accommodation
Single departure : 80€
With luggage transfer (on nights 2, 3 and 5) 2 persons : 1045€ per person 3 persons : 900€ per person 4 persons : 830€ per person 5 persons : 795€ per person 6 persons : 770€ per person
1 road book file (paper) for a group of 1 to 4 people and the digital version to download for each participant; additional paper road book on request ;
Organisation and booking fees.
Does not include:
Lunch picnic ;
Shower tokens ;
Personal expenses (drinks, visits, etc.) ;
Travel insurance ;
Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
The itinerary day by day
Day 1
Departure of the hike at Orgere refuge.
REFUGE DE L'ORGÈRE - CHAVIERE PASS - PECLET-POLSET REFUGE
From Orgere refuge, ascent to the Chaviere pass, entrance to the heart of the Vanoise National parc. The path goes across green pastures and rocky landscapes to the gorgeous refuge of Peclet Polset. Night in refuge. 4.30 hour walk / Elevation: +950m ; -400m / 9km
Day 2
SOUFFRE PASS - PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
From the refuge, the path goes near the sumptuous "Lac Blanc" before rising towards the Souffre pass behind which is the large Gibroullaz glacier. Descent by the same path before going along the large valley of Chavière to reach Pralognan la Vanoise, capital of hiking. Possibility to shorten the stage from Les Prioux, with a bus or a taxi. Night in hotel / gite. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +500m ; -1550m / 18km
Day 3
VANOISE PASS - PLAN DU LAC REFUGE
Short transfer possible to "Les Fontanettes". Climb to Vanoise pass (2517m). Amazing view over the "Aiguille de la Vanoise" and the "Grande Casse" (3855m), highest point of the mountain range. Going to "Lac des Vaches" and its famous ford, and then Long lake and Rond lake. Arriving in Leisse valley and Plan du Lac refuge. View over the "Dômes de la Vanoise". Night in refuge. 7.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1550m -570m / 18km
Day 4
ROCHEURE LAKE - FOND DES FOURS REFUGE
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 Fond des Fours refuge, at the the foot of the north face. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m ; -780 m / 18km
Day 5
COL DES FOURS - BONNEVAL SUR ARC
Climb to Col des Fours (2976m), then descend to Pont de la Neige below Iseran mountain pass. Cross mountain pastures to arrive at the very pretty Bonneval-sur-Arc village. Option to shorten the stage by walking directly to the village (10km, +450m-1150m, 4.30 walk). Night in a gite. 6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +780 m ; -1500 m / 15km
Day 6
L'ÉCOT - EVETTES VALLEY
Last day in the upper Arc valley. Climb up the Vallon des Evettes to the refuge, passing through the pretty village of l'Ecot (listed village) and, conditions permitting, through the gorges of La Reculaz. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +/- 820m /14km
End of the tour around 3:30pm and bus transfer.
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
ROAD BOOK
Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing:
- IGN maps with the route highlighted.
- 1 road-book containing all the necessary information for the trek.
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.
ACCOMMODATION
CLASSIC: 4 nights in dormitory, in refuge ; 1 night in a room of 2/3 poeple in hotel or gite. Accommodation offer hot showers except Fond des Fours refuge. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.
LUGGAGE TRANSFER
There are 2 options: Without luggage transfer: you carry all your luggage. With luggage transfer:your luggage is delivered to your accommodation on days 2, 3 and 5.
MEALS
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered in each accommodation in the evening (except day 1). Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops. 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 : Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Departure of the hike from the refuge-Porte de l'Orgère.
BY TRAIN
Arrival at Modane train station and then bus or taxi transfer to Orgère. Timetables must be checked on the SNCF website.
BY CAR Take the A6 motorway to Lyon, then the A43 direction Chambery and Modane. At Modane follow Aussois direction 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 (0,4 ~ 0,5L)
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 40 to 50 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.
LEAVE ON YOUR OWN FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS AND MORE
In the 'weight is the enemy' section, here are some tips on how to save a few hundred grams. For example, for your toiletries: a simple plastic bag with a zip or a small plastic box to avoid accidental crushing.
Hotel-size soap is generally enough for a week.
A tube of toothpaste 3/4 full will do the trick
Shaving foam: a small sample can
A small microfibre towel
A small bottle of shampoo
A travel toothbrush
Pharmacy: in addition to your personal medicines, bring:
Elastoplast or hook-and-loop tape
"Second skin" tape to protect against blisters, such as Compeed
A small pair of scissors, thread and needle
A small tube of sun cream and lip balm
Now all you have to do is apply this recipe to your entire bag!
6 Days
Self-guided
Without baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level *** 
From 595 €
