The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise is without doubt one of the most beautiful hikes in the Alps. In this article, we give you all our advice on how to make it a success, as well as the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise itinerary.
Why do the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise?
The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise winds its way through the Vanoise National Park. It's one of the most beautiful hikes in Savoie. This itinerary allows you to admire the most beautiful sites of interest: glaciers, but also valleys, peaks, lakes, eternal snow and other alpine flora and fauna. It's a particularly practical itinerary,forming a loop from the starting point. What's more, it can be reached by public transport. Another big advantage of the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise itinerary is that it can be adapted and personalized. While the historic circuit requires a week's walking, there is a shortened itinerary that allows you to enjoy the experience in just 3 or 4 days. Please note, however, that even the short version is a difficult hike.
Detailed itinerary for Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise
Follow the detailed itinerary below for the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise, one of France's most beautiful hiking destinations.
How do I get to the starting point?
The Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise itinerary is a loop. This means it can be started from any point. Traditionally, however, the starting point is the Savoyard commune of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The village is easily accessible by car, and parking is available in the heart of the village, at the Bouquetin parking lot.
If you want to reduce your ecological footprint, you can also reach the village by public transport, by taking a train to the Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains station. Once there, a shuttle bus links the station to the village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Hitchhiking is also quite effective in the region.
Day 1: Departure from Pralognan-la-Vanoise to the Col de la Vanoise refuge
- Distance: 5.8 km
- Elevation gain : 888 m
From Pralognan-la-Vanoise, head northeast. You'll soon pass through the hamlet of Le Barioz, then Les Bieux, and finally Les Fontanettes. This hamlet marks the start of the GR 5 trail, a long-distance hiking trail that explores the Vanoise National Park, and which you'll follow on one section. At the end of the trail, you'll reach the Lac des Assiettes, which has been dry since 1995. Finally, you arrive at the Col de la Vanoise refuge. You can spend the night here, but booking is essential.
If you still have some strength left on this first day, after a 4-hour walk you can make a return trip from the refuge to Lac des Vaches, one of the most beautiful sights in Savoie.
Day 2: Arpont refuge
- Distance: 14 km
- Difference in altitude : 450 m
On this second day of your Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise itinerary, first take the Lac Rond trail, then the Lac du Col de la Vanoise trail, on a gentle descent. Continue downhill to the Voûtes du Clapier Blanc. Then head west towards Roche Ferra and walk to the Lauzières lakes. You'll finally catch sight of the Lac Blanc, shortly before arriving at the Refuge de l'Arpont, where you're invited to book an overnight stay. This second day is a 6-7 hour walk.
Day 3: Dent Parrachée refuge
- Distance: 18 km
- Difference in altitude : 600 m
This third day of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise will be rather difficult, as it's rather long in terms of distance, and includes a significant vertical drop, both positive and negative. You'll start with a steep descent, before climbing up to the Combe de l'Enfer, then following a panoramic path along the side of the Dent Parrachée, a peak at 3,700 m altitude. Continue along the GR 5 to La Loza, then La Turra. Finally, you'll reach the Lac du Plan d'Amont, a beautiful natural site with no fewer than four refuges, including the refuge de la Dent Parrachée. This day's walk takes around 7 hours.
Day 4: the Orgère valley
- Distance : 12 km
- Difference in altitude : 530 m
If you'd like to do the shortened version of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, you can leave the Dent Parrachée refuge for Pralognan-la-Vanoise. It's a 19 km walk with 715 m of ascent, and twice as much as descent. You'll need at least 7 hours to complete it. To complete the itinerary in three days, simply combine Day 1 and Day 2 in one long day.
Alternatively, for the full 7-day tour, follow the GR 5 southwards. You will then arrive at the Orgère refuge, at 1985 m.
Day 5: Péclet-Polset refuge
- Distance : 9 km
- Difference in altitude : 900 m
Follow the path on the left out of the Orgère refuge. Cross the lawns in front of the Chalet de l'Estiva, then follow the stream. Climb up to Lac de la Partie. After a 5-hour walk, you'll reach the Péclet-Polset refuge, where you'll spend the night.
Day 6: La Valette refuge
- Distance: 1 235 m
- Difference in altitude : 17 km
The trail descends following the course of a stream. At the intersection, follow the GR 5 to the refuge du roc de la Pêche. Join the hamlet of Montaimont, head for the cirque des Nants, then the balcony path dominated by the Blanchon rock. Head for the La Valette refuge, where you'll sleep after a 6-hour walk.
Day 7: return to Pralognan-la-Vanoise
- Distance : 8 km
- Difference in altitude : 373 m
Follow the La Valette cirque and cross the Roc du Tambour pass. Descend to the Grand Marchet cirque, then the Arcelin cirque. Cross the stream to reach Les Fontanettes, then Pralognan-la-Vanoise. It's a fairly technical 5-hour walk, sometimes snowy and very downhill.
Practical tips for Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise
What equipment do I need for the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise?
Here's a non-exhaustive list of the equipment you'll need for the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise:
- Ultra-light backpack with rain cover
- Hiking clothes, fleece, windproof jacket, thermal underwear, hat and gloves
- Good hiking boots
- Walking poles, essential for negotiating technical passages
- Large water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Garbage bags to collect your garbage behind you and protect these natural sites
- Ground mattress and light tent, if necessary
What expenses should you plan for?
Your expenses will be for transport, accommodation and catering. For transportation, calculate the cost of gas and tolls, or the price of a train ticket. For accommodation, count between €15 and €40 per night in a refuge, but you can also sleep in a tent. For food, check refuge menus or bring your own snacks.
When is the best time to do the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise?
The Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise itinerary is located high up in the mountains. It is therefore snow-covered until late in the year. The best period is from mid-June to mid-September. Late July and early August are ideal periods when snow is at its scarcest, and the itinerary stays away from mass tourism even then.
