GR55: Tour of the Vanoise Glaciers
In the heart of France's first national park, through gleaming glaciers, turquoise lakes, ibex herds, and high mountain refuges.
Five days in the heart of the Vanoise national park, created in 1963 to save the Alpine ibex, then reduced to a few dozen animals in France. The route starts at Pralognan-la-Vanoise, reaches the Peclet-Polset refuge facing the glaciers with Lac Blanc nearby, crosses the Col de la Vanoise at 2,517 metres with a direct view of the Grande Casse, then the Arpont refuge where marmots and ibex are daily sights, before Termignon and the return. This is high mountain terrain accessible to a regular hiker, with no technical sections. Park refuges are booked online and are full in August. The usable season runs from late June to mid-September; outside that window the passes stay under snow and the refuges are closed.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 5 days
- Transport
- 🥾 On foot
- Distance
- ≈ 30 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Station-village, porte du Parc national de la Vanoise et depart du tour.
- 2
Refuge de Peclet-Polset
Refuge face aux glaciers de la Vanoise, lac Blanc tout proche.
- 3
Col de la Vanoise
Col a 2517 m, lac des Assiettes et vue sur la Grande Casse.
- 4
Refuge de l'Arpont
Face au glacier de l'Arpont, marmotte et bouquetins omnipresents.
- 5
Termignon
Village savoyard authentique, fromage Beaufort et retour a Pralognan.
