The Tour de la Vallaisonnay with the family
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationVanoise Massif / Savoy
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AgeFrom 8 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions20.68 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Embark on a family tour in the heart of the Vanoise National Park , discovering magnificent alpine landscapes. This accessible and progressive 5-day hiking tour connects comfortable and welcoming mountain huts , starting and ending in Le Laisonnay d'en Bas .
Designed especially for families, this circular route alternates between moderate hikes , scenic trails, and breaks by sparkling mountain lakes . Each stage leads to iconic mountain huts – La Glière , Col du Palet , Entre le Lac , and Plaisance – offering an authentic mountain immersion and special moments to share.
Throughout the trek, children discover the rich alpine wildlife, with frequent sightings of marmots , and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Vanoise peaks. No technical equipment is required, making this adventure ideal for a first experience of trekking in mountain huts.
A rejuvenating nature getaway, combining conviviality, discovery and wonder, to introduce young and old to the magic of the French Alps.
The highlights
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Family trekking in the heart of the Vanoise
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Stay in traditional mountain huts with breathtaking views
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Progressive hikes ideal for a first experience
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Enjoy a fully independent stay: you will have access to an emergency number, reachable only between 9am and 7pm.
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
- Average distance/day: 6 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 312 m
- Average daily descent: 310 m
Management
You will receive access to our trekking app, which serves as a complete digital travel guide for your trip. Inside, you will find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your trip.
Program
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Le Laisonnay d'en Bas - Refuge de la Glière
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 2h15
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 440 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The hike begins with a gentle but steady climb from the peaceful hamlet of Le Laisonnay d'en Bas (1,560 m) to the Refuge de la Glière (2,000 m). This short stage is ideal for warming up and getting used to walking with a backpack, especially if you are a young person or a beginner hiker.
Following a well-marked mountain path, primarily the Chemin du Col du Palet, the route winds through alpine pastures and alongside the Doron de Champagny river. Along the way, you'll pass traditional chalets and have opportunities to observe local geology and wildlife. The verdant landscape offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
After a few hours, you'll reach tonight's mountain refuge, located in a beautiful open valley where marmots and cows can often be seen grazing in the meadows. There's plenty of space to explore or simply relax on the terrace. It's the perfect start to your mountain adventure!
Day 1 -
Glière Refuge - Col du Palet Refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 3h20
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 660 m
- Negative elevation 70 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This stage is a rewarding hike. Although not overly long, it is more demanding in terms of elevation gain. The trail winds steadily upwards through alpine terrain, offering increasingly spectacular views as you climb.
The first part of the trail follows a picturesque balcony path, offering magnificent views of the valley below. Depending on the season, you might see small lakes, glacial streams, and flowery meadows. As you climb gently, the landscape gradually becomes grayer and rockier, taking on a distinctly alpine character. Be sure to stop at one of the panoramic viewpoints along the way. The views are breathtaking, and there are plenty of photo opportunities!
At the Col du Palet crossroads, turn left to approach the Refuge du Col du Palet, located at approximately 2,600 meters. Nestled in a wild and open mountain landscape, the refuge is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the peaceful, high-altitude atmosphere. This marks your arrival in the heart of the Vanoise National Park.
Day 2 -
Refuge du Col du Palet - Refuge d'Entre le Lac
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 2h40
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 20 m
- Negative elevation 440 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today, we will enjoy a long, leisurely descent to the Entre le Lac Refuge. This stage follows a picturesque route through alpine pastures and along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, beginning with a panoramic view of the magnificent Lac de Grattaleu.
The path continues through rocky slopes and grassy fields, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Along the way, you'll pass lakes and high plateaus, where marmots are often spotted. At Plan de la Grassaz, turn left and you'll soon see Lac de la Plagne below in the distance.
Shortly after, you'll arrive at the Entre le Lac Refuge. You can leave your backpack there and follow a bubbling mountain stream to this tranquil alpine lake. Enjoy this peaceful spot and relax in nature before returning to the cabin for dinner.
Day 3 -
Entre le Lac Refuge - Plaisance Refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 440 m
- Negative elevation 430 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This route leads you to the Refuge de Plaisance, with an altitude gain that resembles a true mountain traverse. The first section is uphill, and the second part of the route descends towards tonight's refuge.
You'll begin with a gradual climb through alpine meadows, enjoying beautiful views along the way. As you approach the day's highest point at Tête Rouge (2,600 m), the trail steepens. This is an excellent spot to stop and take some photos of the scenery. Enjoy this unique alpine panorama!
The long descent to the Refuge de Plaisance, located beside the Montagne de la Vallaisonnay and the Le Py stream, is rocky but manageable. It winds through stony terrain where you might spot marmots or eagles. The peaceful refuge appears below, surrounded by silence and nature. This rewarding and adventurous stage will leave you with a sense of accomplishment.
Day 4 -
Refuge de Plaisance - Le Laisonnay d'en Bas
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 1h43
- Distance 3 km
- Negative elevation 610 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The final stage is a short but steep descent to Le Laisonnay d'en Bas. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the refuge, you will descend steadily along alpine trails offering panoramic views of the valley.
This descent is always accompanied by the Le Py stream, and although it's never overly technical, it does require a bit of concentration, especially for younger explorers. Towards the end of the descent, you'll hear the roar of a rushing waterfall: the Cascade du Py. After zigzagging for a while, turn around and you'll be rewarded with this fantastic natural phenomenon. Take your time and enjoy the magnificent views!
Once back at Laisonnay d'en Bas, you can celebrate completing a full mountain circuit with your family. Celebrate with an ice cream or a traditional Savoyard lunch – you've earned it! Well done!
Day 5
Note
For a fully independent stay, we recommend that you take out the multi-risk insurance offered when you book.
Accommodation
The Refuge de la Glière is a mountain refuge located at an altitude of 1,996 meters in the Vanoise massif, in Savoie. Situated in a vast alpine pasture above Champagny-le-Haut, it offers an open and peaceful setting, surrounded by peaks and glaciers. Easily accessible, the refuge is a popular stop for hikers and families, with a warm atmosphere, Savoyard cuisine, and excellent hiking opportunities in a pristine environment.
The Refuge du Col du Palet is a mountain refuge located at an altitude of 2,587 meters, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, between Tignes and Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Perched on a mountain pass offering sweeping alpine panoramas, it is a key stop on the GR55 long-distance hiking trail. The refuge offers a simple and friendly welcome, traditional mountain cuisine, and a spectacular setting, ideal for hikers trekking in the Vanoise.
The Entre-le-Lac Refuge is a mountain refuge located at an altitude of approximately 2,145 meters in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, in Savoie (France), on the shores of Lake Plagne. Housed in a converted sheepfold, it offers an authentic alpine atmosphere with a capacity of around 40 beds and is a popular stopover for hikers on the GR5 long-distance trail or on routes around the Mont Pourri massif. The site, surrounded by pastures and imposing peaks, is also appreciated for mountain fishing, observing alpine wildlife, and the tranquility of the natural setting.
The Refuge de Plaisance is nestled at an altitude of 2,117 meters in the unspoiled Plagne valley, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. Surrounded by vast alpine pastures, mountain streams, and wild peaks, it offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle. A popular stop on Vanoise hiking trails, the refuge charms visitors with its warm welcome, hearty mountain cuisine, and pristine natural setting, ideal for recharging after a day's hike.
Access
Go to the starting point
Correspondence then :
- Taxi or shuttle (Altibus) from the station to Champagny-en-Vanoise (≈ 20–25 min, price varies depending on provider).
- Some seasonal bus services run directly to the valley.
Price details
The price includes
- The digital travel guide
- Accommodation in mountain huts and dormitories
- Half-board accommodation in mountain huts
- Telephone support is available from 9am to 7pm.
The price does not include
- The journey to the place of stay
- Lunches
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Transfers
- The solo supplement (€60)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Blankets are provided in the shelters.
Equipment to bring
- A pair of lightweight sandals for the refuge or a pair of sneakers
- A toiletry bag (earplugs recommended)
- A quick-drying bath towel
- For sleeping in mountain huts or guesthouses: a sleeping bag liner
- A small flashlight (with spare batteries)
- Telescopic walking poles (recommended)
- A 1.5L water bottle or hydration pack
- A pocket knife
- An individual plastic container for lunch salads + cutlery and a cup
- Sunscreen cream (skin and lips) + after-sun lotion
- Toilet paper + small garbage bag
- Optional: camera, binoculars…
Warning: the mountains are unpredictable and unpredictable. We've tried to consider all the different weather conditions they can present. This equipment list will help you adapt comfortably to the mountain's moods!
Clothing to bring
- A cap or a hat
- A pair of sunglasses
- A hat or a headband
- T-shirt (carline type, quick-drying material)
- A warm shirt or a thin fleece
- A warm jacket (fleece type)
- A windproof jacket (like a K-Way or Gore-Tex)
- A closed rain cape with sleeves, without snaps, made of polyamide
- Lightweight canvas trousers
- Windproof trousers (like Kway or Gore Tex),
- Shorts or capri pants
- Socks (100% wool: warm, absorbs and wicks away moisture, prevents foot overheating; synthetic fibers: very good resistance, absorbs and wicks away moisture, but be careful if 100% synthetic as it can cause foot overheating; cotton: absorbs moisture but doesn't wick it away well)
- Trekking shoes: they're a hiker's best friend! They must have three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing.
- Choose shoes with non-slip, cleated soles that are relatively rigid. They need to grip the ground well. Vibram soles have a long-standing reputation; choose them if you have the option.
- A pair of long gaiters
- A pair of gloves
- Spare underwear
- A pair of lightweight canvas trousers and a spare pair of shorts
- Spare socks
