Tour de la Grande Casse – 5-day walking tour

The Tour de la Grande Casse is an emblematic hike in the Vanoise, offering magnificent views and scenery !

Please note, departure is from the Laisonnay-d’en-Bas car park located in Champagny-en-Vanoise!

Stage 1: Laisonnay-d’en-Bas car park (1560 m) – Col du Palet refuge (2587 m)
Distance: 14.12 km
Ascent: +1191 m
Descent: -170 m
Total duration of the route 5h30 excluding break time

Points of interest: the largest alder grove in France between the summits of Grand Bec and Epena, golden eagle, baroque church of St Sigismond (Champagny), hamlet of Champagny-le-Haut, pastoral life in La Plagne (production of alpine Beaufort cheese), panorama.

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Stage 2: Col du Palet refuge (2587 m) – Leisse refuge (2487 ​​m)
Distance: 15.15 km
Ascent: +727 m
Descent: -814 m
Total duration of the route 5h10 excluding break time

Points of interest: chamois on the right bank of the Leisse torrent, ptarmigan, high-altitude flowers, mineral landscape (cargneules, gypsum).

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Stage 3: Leisse refuge (2487 m) – Refuge des Barmettes (2012 m)
Distance: 14.67km
Ascent: +484m
Descent: -954m
Total duration of the route 4h30 excluding break time

Points of interest: marmot, pastoral life in Entre-Deux-Eaux
(production of Bleu de Termignon). At the Col de la Vanoise, lakes
and view of the Grande Casse glacier (highest peak in
Savoie, 3855 m).

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Stage 4: Refuge des Barmettes (2012 m) – Refuge du Grand Bec (2405 m)
Distance: 6.68km
Ascent: +723m
Descent: -333m
Total duration of the route 4h excluding break time

Points of interest: chamois, ibex, view of the Vanoise glaciers, moraines.

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Stage 5: Refuge du Grand Bec (2405 m) – Laisonnay car park (1560 m)
Distance: 14.12 km
Ascent: +696 m
Descent: -1520 m
Total duration of the route 4h30 excluding break time

Points of interest: spruce forest, hamlet and Champagny-le-Haut nature trail.

Book accommodation online at:
www.refuges-vanoise.com