Hiking in France
Trekking at the Heart of the Vanoise National Park
Technical lev. : 2 / 5
Quite easy mountain trekking, there can be dizzying passages where you have to be concentrated and if you don't feel dizzy it should be fine!
Learning how to start a mountain rescue and cartography.
Physical lev. : 1 / 5
We are taking it easy, without health concerns, motivation is enough, it's initiation! Effort corresponding to approximately 500-600m of elevation gain in trekking.
We propose you a route that crosses the heart of the National Park, passing through easy passes, at the feet of the most beautiful glaciers, such as those of the Grande Casse (3855 mt), the Grande Motte and the Dôme de la Sache (3588m ). A wild route through some altitude passages which alternate with the vast Vanoise mountain pastures and the magical environment of its lakes.
Dates & Prices
Arrival
End
Price *
Status
Du 17/07/2023 au 21/07/2023
au 21/07/2023
660 €
FULL
Du 31/07/2023 au 04/08/2023
au 04/08/2023
660 €
CONFIRMED
* Price per person (without insurance)
The Trip
Located between the high valleys of Maurienne and Tarentaise, the Vanoise National Park was the first National Park created in France in 1963.
Very rich in flora and fauna, the Vanoise Park borders 14 km of its limits with the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy to form the largest natural reserve in Europe: the ibex and the bearded vulture are some of the species protected symbols of the two Parks.
We propose you a route that crosses the heart of the National Park, passing through easy passes, at the feet of the most beautiful glaciers, such as those of the Grande Casse (3855 mt), the Grande Motte and the Dôme de la Sache (3588m ). A wild route through some altitude passages which alternate with the vast Vanoise mountain pastures and the magical environment of its lakes.
Program
Vertical Drop: + 600 m and - 200 m
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Meeting at the Funicular in Bourg Saint Maurice at 9.00am, you can park your car in a free parking for the duration of the trek.
Departure with the funicular, to go up to Les Arcs then a shuttle takes us to Les Arcs 1800. We will leave the alpine ski resort which we coul admire without skiers, the ski lifts turn for Bikes ...
We start in the direction of the Chapelle des Vernettes, a superb Baroque Chapel of the Valley; then we will continue our walk in the forest before arriving in the mountain pastures. Here we will enter the Vanoise National Park, the landscape on the glaciers of Mont Pourri and Dôme de Sache are breathtaking.
We may meet herds of sheep with their Shepherd and Patous of protection to avoid the attacks of the Wolves.
We arrive at the Refuge, where the Team will install us.
This will be a great place for your first night in the mountains. This refuge is known by hikers and mountaineers, who will set off earlier than us for the ascent of Mont Pourri at an altitude of 3,779 meters, on the slopes and snow ridges of the Geay Glacier.
Vertical Drop: + 850 m and - 350 m
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
We will be starting by a balcony path under the Mont Pourri Glacier. After a few hours of walking we will have our pic-nic near the La Plagne Lake, where the bravest can have swim if the weather is good. We will then keep going to the Lac du Grattaleu to finnaly arrive at the Refuge du Palet above Tignes. A short climb to the Col will allow us to discover the great view on the Grande Motte and the Grande Casse, the highest peak of the Vanoise.
Bérangère and her team will welcome us to her Refuge, one of the many in the Vanoise National Park. Maybe a Park Ranger will be there to explain to us how life goes on in this territory, protected since 1960.
Vertical Drop: + 500 m and - 800 m
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
We will quickly pass the Col du Palet to then walk down to Tignes for a small shopping for lunch. We will then take balcony paths where small ascents and descents follow one another to finally reach the Refuge de la Martin, right under the Dôme de la Sache Glaciers ( 3588m).
Vertical Drop: - 700 m and + 850 m
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
For those who wish, just before breakfast and without backpack, we can have an early start to get a closer look to the glacier and if we are lucky we might meet some Chamois along the path ... After this little walk in the morning fresh air, we will have breakfast and we will then walk down towards the village of Gurraz. Once there, we will walk up again on a regular path in the shade of the forest to the small village of Cousset. Another small climb in the pastures will lead us to the Refuge de Turia. A great sunset may frame our last evening in this pleasant little Hut .
Vertical Drop: - 500 m and +200 m
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
We will leave the Hut early enough in the morning to enjoy the first rays of the sun. The balcony path is quick, we will descend under the Aiguille Rouge, the highest point of the Les Arcs Ski Resort. We will cross the most beautiful off-piste of Les Arcs on our balcony path, to arrive on the slopes of Villaroger. A small ascent will take us to the path which leads to Arc 2000, through a very beautiful larch forest. In Les Arcs 2000, we take a shuttle to Arc 1600, then the Funicular back down to Bourg Saint Maurice.
Dispersal of the group at 5:00 pm at Bourg saint Maurice train station.
End of the trip: see you next time for a new adventure!
OUR TIP
On Saturday morning Bourg Saint Maurice hosts the Local Market where you can find lots of products from our mountains and neighboring countries like Italy! If you want to take advantage of it, here's a tip for the extra night: Base Camp Lodge.
Equipment
If possible take a light backpack with good carrying, the backpack itself should not exceed 1,5 kilos.
Backpack for 5 days:
Your backpack must have 10 liters of space for the food that you will carry for lunch and sometimes for the day after.
Kilos to carry - it is better to wash than to carry:
Count 2 liters of water and 1 kilo of food for the day.
Covid 19 Special:
Head to toe material for your hiking trip:
Do not forget:
Toiletries:
Pharmacy & others:
Your guide will have a more complete pharmacy in the event of a more serious accident.
A small book or card game (less than 150 grams) ... if you want !
Necessary for meals:
The hiker's enemy is weight, but a frozen or wet hiker is a hiker without pleasure! So take the time to properly prepare your backpack.
Level required
Quite easy mountain trekking, there can be dizzying passages where you have to be concentrated and if you don't feel dizzy it should be fine!
Learning how to start a mountain rescue and cartography.
We are taking it easy, without health concerns, motivation is enough, it's initiation! Effort corresponding to approximately 500-600m of elevation gain in trekking.
Useful infos
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is advised as well as other insurance guaranteeing search and mountain rescue (10,000 Euros guarantee approximately).
Meeting at the Funicular in Bourg Saint Maurice at 9.00am, you can park your car in a free parking for the duration of the trek.
Disappearance of the group on the last day at the Funicular Station in Bourg Saint Maurice at 5.00 pm. You can organise your transport from 5.15 pm.
On Saturday morning Bourg Saint Maurice hosts the Local Market where you can find lots of products from our mountains and neighboring countries like Italy! If you want to take advantage of it, here's a tip for the extra night: Base Camp Lodge or Hôtel de l'Angival.
. Guiding of a certified trekking guide from our Team;
. Half board accommodation as described in the program;
. Picnics, every day (except for day 1);
. Mandatory transports along the program.
. Cancellation / interruption of stay / luggage loss and accident insurance;
. Pic-nic on day 1;
. Drinks and personal expenses;
. Additional nights outside the program;
. Out-of-program visits and transfers;
. Tips;
. All that is not indicated in the section "The price includes".
Photo gallery
Any question?
Contact usYou will also love
5 days & 4 nights
680
5 days & 4 nights
720
4 days & 3 nights
470
5 days & 4 nights
710
4 days & 3 nights
430
6 days & 5 nights
690
10 days & 9 nights
1440
5 days & 4 nights
720
7 days & 6 nights
980
7 days & 6 nights
1160
6 days & 5 nights
860
5 days & 4 nights
690
5 days & 4 nights
690
5 days & 5 nights
790
2 days & 1 nights
290
5 days & 5 nights
700
