Trekking in the heart of the Vanoise National Park
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationVanoise Massif / Savoy
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions15.71 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
This intermediate trek in the Vanoise , from mountain hut to mountain hut , immerses you in the heart of one of the most beautiful massifs in the French Alps . For four days, you'll hike independently along high-altitude trails offering an incredible diversity of landscapes: verdant valleys , peaceful alpine pastures , high-altitude lakes , and majestic glaciers . Here, the mountains reveal themselves in all their authenticity, far from the hustle and bustle, inviting you to slow down and savor every step.
Designed for hikers with some prior experience, this route allows for full immersion in a pristine environment, where the silence is broken only by the tinkling of cowbells and the wind rustling across the ridges. Each day brings its share of breathtaking panoramas and iconic passages of the Vanoise National Park .
Evenings are spent in cozy mountain huts such as Grand Bec , Col de la Vanoise , or Arpont . Over a convivial dinner , conversations linger as the mountain peaks glow in the last rays of the day. An authentic experience, ideal for experiencing the magic of alpine trekking .
The highlights
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Trekking from mountain hut to mountain hut in the heart of the Vanoise National Park
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Varied alpine landscapes including high-altitude lakes, alpine pastures, glaciers and valleys
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Nights spent in friendly mountain huts and total immersion in the wild mountains
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: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 633 m
- Average daily descent: 603 m
Management
You will receive access to our trekking app, which serves as a complete digital travel guide. 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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From Champagny-en-Vanoise to the Grand Bec refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 1390 m
- Negative elevation 190 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From the village of Champagny-en-Vanoise , your trek begins with a gradual ascent into the heart of the Vanoise Massif . The trail winds its way through wooded areas before reaching alpine meadows , gradually opening up to sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. The route allows you to find a steady pace for this first day, ideal for settling into the effort.
As you gain altitude, the landscapes become more rocky and the typical high-mountain atmosphere takes hold. It's not uncommon to spot marmots or chamois on the surrounding slopes. This stage involves approximately 1,390 meters of elevation gain , providing a sustained but gradual warm-up.
The final stretch leads to the Grand Bec refuge , perched overlooking the glaciers and the valley's dramatic peaks. Once there, you'll have time to settle in and soak up the refuge's atmosphere. Dinner and an overnight stay will mark your first experience in a mountain refuge , offering tranquility far from the hustle and bustle of the valleys.
Day 1 -
High-altitude crossing to the Vanoise pass
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 770 m
- Negative elevation 640 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After breakfast at the Grand Bec refuge , you resume your hike towards the Vanoise pass . Today's route takes you to high altitude , along trails that alternate between steady climbs and gentler traverses. This progression allows you to fully appreciate the open landscapes of the Vanoise National Park , with rocky ridges and glaciers as a backdrop.
The hike proceeds at a moderate pace, suitable for walkers who are already in good physical condition. Throughout the route, the environment remains very rocky and conducive to wildlife observation. With a bit of luck, you might spot ibex on the slopes or hear marmots near the trails.
Reaching the Col de la Vanoise , dominated by the Grande Casse , marks a highlight of the day. You then head to the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise for the evening. Dinner and an overnight stay there offer a relaxing break in a mountain refuge atmosphere, in the heart of a protected natural area.
Day 2 -
A balcony overlooking the Arpont refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h15
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 570 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, you leave the Vanoise pass to continue your route eastward, towards the Arpont area. The trail progresses along the mountainside and offers a balcony hike, with varied views of the glaciers and high-altitude lakes with their changing hues below.
This stage is distinguished by a less demanding uphill profile, but a longer, more sustained distance. The walk is steady, in an open and sunny environment. The path crosses moraines and then reaches alpine pastures , where the distant tinkling of herds can sometimes be heard, reinforcing the feeling of isolation and calm characteristic of the Vanoise .
At the end of the day, you reach the Arpont refuge . After settling in, the evening unfolds in the refuge's simple and friendly atmosphere. Depending on the conditions, the last moments of daylight may offer beautiful views of the surrounding peaks, including the Grande Casse .
Day 3 -
Descent towards Val Cenis via the Haute Maurienne valley
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 3h25
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 20 m
- Negative elevation 1010 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast at the Arpont refuge , you begin the final stage of your trek towards Val Cenis . The route follows a gradual descent through alpine meadows , with sweeping views of the Dent Parrachée and the peaks of the Haute Maurienne .
This shorter, mostly downhill day allows for a more relaxed pace. The trail, lined with mountain flowers depending on the season, gradually marks the transition between the high-altitude landscapes and the valley. The atmosphere becomes progressively more open, signaling the end of the high-mountain trek.
Arriving at Val Cenis marks the end of this 4-day trek from refuge to refuge in the heart of the Vanoise . This final walk offers an opportunity to reflect on the stages covered and conclude the route in a still largely unspoiled natural setting.
Day 4
Note
For a fully independent stay, we recommend that you take out the multi-risk insurance offered when you book.
Accommodation
The Refuge du Grand Bec is a mountain refuge located at approximately 2,403 meters altitude in the Vanoise massif in Savoie, France. Nestled at the foot of the Pointe de la Vuzelle and facing the impressive Grand Bec (3,398 m), it offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with panoramic views of the Chavière valley and the surrounding Alpine peaks. Accessible on foot from Planay/Plan Fournier, the refuge welcomes hikers, mountaineers, and families during the summer months, offering local cuisine and providing an ideal setting for continuing hiking and mountaineering routes in the Vanoise National Park.
The Refuge du Col de la Vanoise is an iconic mountain refuge located at an altitude of 2,517 meters, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, between Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Termignon. Nestled in a vast glacial cirque, facing the Vanoise glaciers, it offers a spectacular setting and an authentic alpine atmosphere. Easily accessible, the refuge is a key stop on the GR55 long-distance hiking trail and an ideal starting point for numerous hikes and climbs in the massif.
The Refuge de l'Arpont is a mountain refuge located at an altitude of 2,309 meters in the Vanoise National Park, in Savoie, France. Situated on the GR5 hiking trail, not far from the Arpont Glacier, it offers unobstructed views of the surrounding Alpine peaks from its terrace. Housed in renovated chalets, it provides comfortable dormitories and meals featuring local produce, making it a popular stop for hikers, mountaineers, and ski tourers. The refuge is generally staffed during the summer and spring and serves as an ideal base for exploring the massif or reaching other destinations such as the Col de la Vanoise.
Access
Go to the starting point
From this station, you can take a bus/shuttle to Champagny-en-Vanoise
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
- Potential transfers
- The solo supplement (€50)
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 refuge
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 Kway 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
