Tour of the Aiguille de la Vanoise – Stage 2 – Col de la Vanoise refuge – Fontanettes car park

A beautiful 2-day itinerary between glaciers and mountain lakes. Imagine jumping from rock to rock to cross Lac des Vaches in the majestic setting of the most beautiful peaks in the Vanoise.

The second day is a magnificent descent through the glacial moraine. You’ll skirt around the Aiguille de la Vanoise while skirting Lac Long at the foot of the Grands Couloirs… You may be lucky enough to spot ibex, chamois or marmots.
Then comes the crossing of Lac des Vaches… Imagine jumping from rock to rock, walking on water, in the majestic setting of the most beautiful peaks in the Vanoise.
The trail continues through the mountain pastures as far as the Barmettes refuge, then you can follow a path through the forest along the Couloir de l’Eau trail as far as the Fontanettes car park.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step :

2/ DAY 2: From the Col de la Vanoise refuge to the Fontanettes car park / Duration 2h30 / Total ascent: +2m / Total descent: -861m / Descend from the refuge along the GR 55 which runs alongside Lac Long, at the foot of the Grande Casse / You will skirt around the Aiguille de la Vanoise / The path continues through the moraines as far as Lac des Vaches, which you will cross on beautiful flat stones / The path continues in the mountain pastures as far as the Barmettes refuge, then you can follow a path which goes off to the left, into the forest, along the Couloir de l’Eau track, as far as the Fontanettes car park.