Grand Tour de la Vanoise

You arrive at your first accommodation and are welcomed by the host. If you're staying at Refuge de l'Orgère, where tomorrow's hike begins, you take the local bus from Modane train station. If you're staying in Modane instead, you take the bus the next morning. Timetables are included in your travel materials.

After breakfast, you step straight into the heart of Vanoise National Park. The ascent begins somewhat steep but then levels out towards the beautiful lake Lac de la Partie. Then awaits the day's highest point, Col de Chavière at 2,796 meters altitude. The view opens up towards the long valley down to Pralognan. The descent also begins steep and may require caution early in the season if snow remains. You pass Plan des Cairns, a unique mountain landscape, as well as several mountain huts before reaching the valley floor and continuing to Pralognan-la-Vanoise – Vanoise's equivalent to Chamonix. There's also the possibility to finish earlier at Les Prioux and take the free bus for the last stretch to Pralognan.

You leave Pralognan and soon reach Les Fontanettes at 1,645 meters above sea level, where the real ascent begins. The hike continues into the wild and magnificent Arcelin valley, where the landscape gradually opens up and offers increasingly impressive views towards Grande Casse, Savoy's highest mountain rising to 3,855 meters. The ascent is steady and well-trodden, and the higher you go, the more alpine the landscape becomes. At Lac des Assiettes (2,469 meters above sea level) you get a well-deserved break before the final stretch up to the day's goal. Col de la Vanoise, also called Col de la Grande Casse (2,516 meters above sea level), is one of the most iconic places on the entire Tour de la Vanoise. From here you have a magnificent view over Glacier des Grands Couloirs, which is born high up on Grande Casse's north wall and clearly shows what a mighty glacial world you find yourself in.

On the way down you round Aiguille de la Vanoise and cross Lac des Vaches (2,366 meters above sea level). The lake is one of the area's most photographed subjects thanks to the unique passage where you cross the water via large, flat stones laid like a path across the lake. If your legs still have strength, a short detour to Cascade de la Fraiche is recommended, a beautiful waterfall that gives the day an extra nature experience before you return to Pralognan-la-Vanoise for your second night in the village.

If you want to shorten the day, there's the possibility to use the free local bus between Pralognan and Les Fontanettes both on the way out and back. You can also take the Genépi lift to cut the last part of the descent.

A stage with a completely different character, where you mostly hike in stately forest and on old paths that once connected villages. Here you meet fewer hikers and get an intimate mountain environment. After a calm start, the trail rises through Ravin de Leschaux and Couloir des Rossets up to Mont Chevrier. The descent takes place on the north side, in a cooler and more humid environment, with views over Vuzelles waterfall. The day continues in an undulating landscape before the final ascent up towards the Merle tower and the transition to the Champagny valley.

You follow the Doron valley up towards Laisonnay d'en Haut before the day's real ascent begins along the Py waterfall. After Refuge de Plaisance, the landscape opens up into lovely wide alpine meadows before you reach Col de Plan Séry at 2,609 meters altitude. On the other side await views towards Mont Pourri and a longer descent to the lakes at Entre le Lac (2,151 meters above sea level). The trail becomes flatter through Plan des Eaux and further towards the Peisey-Nancroix valley, before you reach the day's goal Porte de Rosuel.

Today's hike follows a less frequented trail on the opposite side of the valley compared to yesterday. You pass impressive waterfalls and open plateaus, with constant views towards the lakes around La Plagne. After Refuge du Col du Palet awaits the day's final ascent to Col du Palet at a mighty 2,652 meters altitude, before you cross the ski area and reach Tignes. Tonight dinner is not included and you instead get the chance to explore the resort's restaurant offerings.

Despite starting in a large ski resort, the day quickly gets a wild and untouched feeling. You enter the national park and hike up towards Col de la Leisse (2,758 meters above sea level) with magical views over the Grande Motte glacier. Then follows a long, gentle descent through Vallon de la Leisse, where snow remnants can remain well into summer. Towards the end, a final effort is required up to Plan du Lac and Bellecombe, where you now face the glaciers that await the next day. There's the possibility to shorten the day with local bus.

After returning to Entre Deux Eaux awaits one of the trip's most spectacular stages. You hike on a panoramic trail 2,400 meters above sea level along Vanoise's glaciers and under Dôme de Chasseforêt (3,586 meters above sea level). The landscape alternates between lakes, small ascents and deep ravines before the descent takes you via Refuge de l'Arpont down to the valley and further to Termignon. In the evening you get transfer to Modane, after having completed the Grand Tour de la Vanoise! Even today there's the possibility to shorten the stage with bus.
 

After breakfast you check out for your journey home.