Hiking in Vanoise
Nestled at the foot of the largest glaciers in the Alps, Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a summer mountain resort and family village, combines a vast territory in the heart of the Vanoise National Park with a friendly and authentic atmosphere. Its fascinating high mountain setting delights sports enthusiasts and contemplative types alike, in search of exceptional moments in the heart of unspoiled nature.
Extremely rich fauna and flora, breathtaking views, breathtaking landscapes, unique adventures in a rope team spirit… Pralognan is a privileged destination for hiking and the starting point for many hikes in Vanoise. These magnificent routes, suitable for all levels, can be discovered in the heart of the Park and its surroundings, free or accompanied, on foot or during a trail course . In addition, the ten or so refuges accessible from the village allow you to fully experience the mountains in summer, for a night or just for a day break!
To gain height effortlessly, shuttles and ski lifts are at your disposal and to equip yourself, a wide choice of rental equipment is offered by the resort’s sports shops.
Hiking trails and trail running routes in Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Pralognan-la-Vanoise maintains several hundred kilometers of marked trails, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park and nearby. For a walk of one or two hours, a family hike or a challenging adventure lasting several days: explore a unique mountain environment, with a great diversity of landscapes: pastures, lakes, forests, steep trails, passes, snowfields, torrents, majestic panoramas, etc.
A huge playground to explore on foot… Or on a trail! From June to September, the guides and experienced trail runners of Pralognan offer different options for beginners, trainers and progress : introductory or advanced sessions and long-distance trail running.
Maps and topos on sale at the Tourist Office
| Map | 6,00 € |
| Detailed guidebook | 12,00 € |
| Map + topo | 16,00 € |
Guided hikes departing from Pralognan
The Pralognan Mountain Guides and Accompanists Office and the independent guide Marc Schafer offer you a very complete choice of hikes for all levels to discover or admire the fauna, flora, lakes, panoramas… Don’t worry about slowing down the group or, on the contrary, not being able to walk at your pace, the guide will know how to make everyone appreciate the hike, through his know-how and group management. Several themed hikes are offered each week.
Itinerant hikes in Vanoise
As the main gateway to the Vanoise National Park, Pralognan is the starting point for many great hiking trails in the Vanoise region (the GR®5 and GR®55, in particular, cross the park). Here’s a look at the must-see hikes to discover in Pralognan-la-Vanoise in summer.
Vanoise Glacier Tour: an unmissable hiking tour in the Alps
The Vanoise Glacier Tour allows you to discover the largest ice cap in the Alps , approximately 13 km long. A surprising glacial environment, which cannot be seen from the valley and a very varied itinerary , to appreciate different landscapes from one day to the next, from a balcony path (large rock faces in the Pralognan sector, more southern atmosphere on the Maurienne side…). A real mountain journey of 4 to 7 days , in the heart of the Vanoise National Park!
Recommendations : The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise is a 73-kilometer hike starting from Pralognan-la-Vanoise, with a 3,800-meter elevation gain. It is accessible to good walkers (able to walk 6/7 hours a day and to overcome elevation changes: Col d’Aussois and Col de la Vanoise, in particular). Itinerary recommended from the beginning of July to the end of August. Find out more
Hiking tours: 2 to 5 days of adventure in Vanoise
Here are three ideas for hiking tours in Vanoise, to discover from Pralognan:
- The 3 Passes : a 3-day hiking tour that’s accessible and varied. You’ll experience, among other things, a stunning mineral setting, reminiscent of some South American landscapes! Passing beautiful mountain lakes and enjoying magnificent panoramas of the Vanoise glaciers. Find out more
- Tour de la Grande Casse : a 5-day hiking tour in the Vanoise region, with a variety of elevation changes and aerial and technical passages: the Col de la Leisse and its astonishing stone desert, the Col de Leschaux, and the Col Rosset. Recommendations : For less experienced hikers, hire a mountain guide. This route is recommended from July to early September. Find out more
- Tour of the Aiguille de la Vanoise : a beautiful 2-day hiking trail, between forest and high mountains (passing through Lac des Vaches and the Col de la Vanoise). Recommendations : route reserved for experienced hikers; possibility of using the Génépi chairlift to reduce the difference in altitude. Find out more
Family hiking tour in the Alps: in the heart of the Vanoise mountain pastures
The Alpages of the Chavière valley is a 2-day hiking tour in Pralognan-la-Vanoise , ideal for immersing yourself in the pastoral environment of the mountains . The path, punctuated by the presence of marmots, leads to two large herds of cows: in the preserved valley of Chavière, used only in summer for the production of Beaufort d’Alpage , to the Motte mountain pasture and to the Ritord mountain pasture , where you can quench your thirst in a bucolic mountain setting and taste the famous “Gold of the Alpages”! Before arriving at Ritord, children are also delighted to discover the Chapendu mountain pasture and its herd of goats (reception in the afternoon from the beginning of July to mid-August, when the gate is open).
A hike starting from the hamlet of Les Prioux, with a comfortable night at the Roc refuge and a picnic break at the “des têtards” lake , facing Petit Mont-Blanc. Something to delight young and old alike! Find out more
Day trips in the green valley of Chavière :
- The pastoral sector of Montaimont and the Cirque des Nants (streams, in patois): a privileged place for a walk on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, to discover the alpine mountain environment with the family. The complete loop from the Pont de la Pêche car park, 8.5 km, is recommended for children aged 7 to 12 (4 hours of walking – Elevation gain: 475 m). Blue hike. Find out more
- The Cirque du Génépi via the Montaimont mountain pasture : an easy route for a family day hike in Vanoise. The pretty balcony trail allows you to see the park’s deer (early in the morning) and, upon arrival, the view of the glaciers is breathtaking! On the way down, you pass through the Ritord mountain pasture, with a view of Mont Blanc and arrive at the Pont de la Pêche car park. An 8 km loop on a well-marked path, without any particular difficulties (4 hours of walking – Elevation gain: 525 m). Blue or red hike, if there is a variation via the Rosoire cirque. Find out more
Hiking in Vanoise with the family
Easy (and unmissable!) hike in the Vanoise National Park
A must-see in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, the Vanoise sector allows you to explore the Vanoise National Park in a high mountain atmosphere , in the heart of nature and wildlife, within reach of aerial passes and glacial panoramas. A mecca for mountaineering, the Vanoise sector is also home to the highest peak in Savoie: La Grande Casse (3,855 m)!
The hike that leads to Lac des Vaches , then to the Col de la Vanoise for motivated little walkers, is an unmissable hiking route in the Vanoise National Park and one of the most beautiful family hikes in the Alps!
Recommendations : use the Génépy chairlift to reduce the difference in altitude (arrival at the Les Barmettes refuge, at the start of the Col de la Vanoise trail); return trip by the same route (do not take the Aiguille de la Vanoise trail) – Blue hike. Find out more
A family hike in Savoie, easy, fun and sensory
In the Vanoise region, the walk to the Arcelin cirque is an easy hike to do with the family from Pralognan, with children from 4 years old . Sensory and fun trails, forest, marmots, freshness and torrents are on the program of this family hike in Savoie, which takes young and old to the natural amphitheater of Arcelin. Recommendations : departure from the hamlet of Fontanettes, 5 km loop (2h15 round trip); possibility of taking the Génépy chairlift to reduce the walking time by 1 hour – Elevation gain: 110 < 340 m – Green or red hike, if variant via the Les Barmettes refuge (+ 2.5 km and 250 meters of elevation gain). Find out more
A hike with a glacial atmosphere in the Vanoise National Park
The Lac de la Patinoire and its glacial atmosphere is a spectacular hike , to discover with the family in the Vanoise National Park. By taking the junction before Lac des Vaches, you will discover a high-altitude glacial lake . Completely covered in snow at the beginning of summer, the lake gradually reveals itself, revealing small icebergs … High mountain atmosphere guaranteed!
Recommendations : the final part of this hike is not signposted, so obtain the necessary information in advance from the Tourist Office (topographic guide).
Hiking in Vanoise for little adventurers
The Croës Walk : Little mountaineers discover their surroundings during an easy walk punctuated with games and nursery rhymes. For ages 3 and up.
Survival Kid : Toddlers gently discover survival techniques in mountain and forest environments. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Forest adventurers : climb the trees on the adventure trail, slide down the zip lines, build a cabin and discover the secrets of the forest… Here is the program for this nature & adventure outing, reserved for children between 6 and 12 years old.
Vanoise at a leisurely pace : dams, mills, crystal hunting, treasure hunts… Plenty of outdoor activities to help you become a true “Vanoise Adventurer”! This outing is reserved for ages 6-12.
- Family Escape Game : Use your brain to solve the puzzles and find Camille le Crugéré’s hidden treasure.
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Glacier hikes in Vanoise
A pioneering mountaineering resort in the Savoy Alps, located at the foot of the largest alpine ice cap and the highest peaks of Vanoise, Pralognan is labeled by UNESCO ” Land of Mountaineering “. A destination of choice, to venture close to the glaciers and experience an unforgettable adventure , at almost 3000 meters above sea level (group or private service, to be booked with the guides of Pralognan). Here are two ideas for beautiful glacier hikes, to discover in Pralognan.
Introduction – “Easy” glacier hike in the Alps
The Pointe du Dard (3,204 m) is an outing suitable for regular walkers (6 to 7 hours of walking per day), which allows you to discover glacier hiking in a fun and relaxed way (roped progression with crampons and ski poles). Night at the refuge of the Col de la Vanoise the day before, departure at dawn, sunrise during the ascent and return to the refuge around midday. Gateway to the Dômes de la Vanoise, this accessible glacier hike (possible with children, from 10 years old ), allows you to experience a strong and unforgettable adventure, alongside a passionate guide. Find out more
Recommendations : have previously completed the hikes of Petit Mont Blanc, Cirque du Génépi, Col de Napremont, etc.
For the initiated – Glacier hiking in Vanoise
Reserved for experienced mountaineers (1100 meters of positive elevation gain, between 2400 m and 3497 m), the Dôme de Polset is an unmissable glacier hike in Vanoise and the Northern Alps. Starting from the Peclet-Polset refuge, 7 to 8 hours of walking are necessary to reach the Dôme de Polset. Located at the bottom of the Chavière valley, this beautiful summit offers the privilege of altitude : a high mountain atmosphere and a magnificent panorama of the Ecrins and Mont Blanc, as far as Valais… Find out more