Hiking in the Vanoise National Park in the French Alps, 3 days
Discover the amazing alpine landscapes and best hiking routes of the Vanoise National Park in Savoie, in the French Alps, along UIMLA-certified Mountain Leader Fabrice.
Private
Alps
3 Days
Jul - Sep
Intermediate
All levels
Highlights
- Discover some of the most impressive landscapes in the Alps
- This program offers a selection of the best hikes in the area
- Enjoy spectacular views of peaks and glaciers along the trails
Description
I invite you to join me on a 3-day hiking tour in the Vanoise National Park, the biggest in the northern French Alps. There we find some of the most famous and popular hiking routes in the French Alps.
The Vanoise National Park boasts some of the most impressive alpine landscapes, with many glaciers and peaks that reach 4000 meters (14000 feet). We will hike at a lower altitude, between 1000 and 2500 meters, in the alpine forest and alpine meadows, but always looking up to the peaks covered by glaciers.
Around the Vanoise park we find some of the biggest ski resorts in the world, like Courchevel, Tignes and Val Thorens, located right next to it. Although the creation of the park was aimed to preserve the landscapes, the park also has a unique flora and fauna, with species like chamois or ibex (mountains goats) that we can meet anytime during the hike.
The Vanoise park is part of the Savoie department, with a lot of alpine history and traditions. We find here the beaufort, a famous traditional cheese, made sometimes directly here in the high mountain pasture (great for your pic nic time!).
Pralognan-la-Vanoise alpine resort is one of the main gates to access the heart of the park and where we will start our hikes from. One of the highlihts of the program will be the Vanoise Pass hike. It is possible to do many more hikes driving from there.
This program is suitable to intermediate level or sporty hikers, but if you are a beginner this program can be modified to be easier. Every day you will come back to the same hotel and carry a light bag every day for the hike. Also, if you wish to stay longer, many other hikes are possible, so please just ask us about longer programs if you are interested.
If you want to join me on this 3-day hike in the Vanoise National Park, just send me a request and book your trip!
You can also check out other programs I guide in the Alps, like Mont Blanc-Chamonix 3-day tour or a hike in the Mercantour National Park, like this 1-day hike, a 2-day hike in the Valley of Marvels, or a hike in the Fenestre Lake and Pass.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- Price per person for groups of 8 to 10 people: 210 EUR / Price per person for groups from 11 to 12 people: 195 EUR. // The price does not include lodging and meals. Picnic with local food and specialities may be provided with an extra charge of 12 €/pers. Cabin cars and lift can be used on this program (about 15 € for day 2).
Itinerary
Day 1: Pralognan - Views of Vanoise glaciers and massif
We start our hike from Pralognan, progressing in alpine fir and pine trees forest. Then we get to alpine chalets and meadows where we will enjoy great views of the big Vanoise glaciers and mountain range.
Elevation: 600 meters ascent. Duration: 4 to 5 or 6 hours (depending on your level).
Day 2: Vanoise high pass and five lakes
Today we will enjoy definitely one the most famous hikes in French Alps ! This is a famous area in the Alps, as we will visit many big lakes and reach and historical high pass that was already used in ancient times, at more than 2500 meters high (8000 feet). From the pass, we can admire the highest peak, culminating at 3855 meters (almost 14000 feet). We will need to take a cable car if we want to make the ascent easier and shorter. Or we can start from Pralognan (sportier option).
Elevation: +/ – 630 meters ascent (or -1100m).
Duration: 5 to 6 hours hike.
Day 3: The white lake and Peclet Polset cabin
The trail is reaching a high altitude lake in a very mineral atmosphere. And we get the the large white lake. Views to the peaks and glaciers are always very impressive. On our way we will probably meet many cows and a nice old alpine chalet, where the shephards have been producing cheese for centuries. We can taste it and buy it as well.
Elevation: +750 meters ascent. Duration: 5 hours hike.
FAQs
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
We will hike at a lower altitude, between 1000 and 2500 meters, in the alpine forest and alpine meadows, but always looking up to the peaks covered by glaciers.
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
This program is suitable to intermediate level or sporty hikers, but if you are a beginner this program can be modified to be easier.
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
Meals and lodging are not included.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Yes, we will need permits to the Vanoise National Park.
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
The best time of the year for this hike is from July to September.
Can I join a group?
Yes, you can join a group.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Fabrice
4.9
(50)
Mountain Leader
I am a hiking guide (International Mountain Leader) who has been working all over France (including Provence and the Alps), Italy and Portugal since 2001. I speak fluent English due to my frequent trips to Taos Ski Valley (in New Mexico, USA where my family runs a great hotel and ski school), and my hiking trips in the American Southwest.
I live mainly in Nice (French Riviera), but I also move all over the Alps working in different alpine valleys. I often visit Martinique (French Caribbean island), where I enjoy rainforest and tropical hikes.
When I´m not guiding, I also work as a photographer, and like to climb, ski, play tennis, or kitesurf in my spare time. Additionally, I really enjoy botany and history.
I can guide you for a half day or for as many days as you like. I´ll take you to discover my favourite French Riviera alpine region, and the wild and large Mercantour National Park (counting 8 different valleys) near Nice, Monte Carlo and Cannes.
In my region we can enjoy the Mediterranean landscape at sea level. As we move into higher altitudes, we will discover alpine lakes, larch or pine forests, orchids and alpine flowers, open meadows, spectacular medieval perched villages and old baroque chapels and churches, with great historic value.
We can also discover the hiking hotspots in Provence such as Calanques National Park, Verdon gorges, Sainte Victoire and the Var region, with Saint Tropez a particular highlight.
I also love to hike in Italy in the very famous world heritage Cinque Terre (the amazing national park of the "Five Lands"), or in Liguria near San Remo.
And finally, I always enjoy taking my guests to the northern Alps: to Chamonix and Mont Blanc´s amazingly large panoramas or to the great Vanoise National Park, the largest in the heart of French Alps.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
What people are saying about this trip
Sue
Daria
It was a great adventure in a very nice and professional company:)
Danielle
Amazing trip with Fabrice and I learned so much from him!
Steven
Fabrice was a fantastic guide. He planned the hikes each day to maximize the interesting sites while matchimg the difficulty and length of each day's hike to our ability and endurance perfectly.
Rekha
We really enjoyed our trip in the Vanoise National Park!
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