The 10 most beautiful hikes to do in the Vanoise Massif

Need a large bowl of fresh air? We offer you even better! Between glaciers, high mountain and exceptional valley, the Vanoise massif is your entrance ticket to access the paradise of hikers. Whether you're a big sportsman or a Sunday walker, there'll be some for every taste!

With many peaks at over 3,000 meters altitude, glaciers, waterfalls, glacial lakes and peaks, the Vanoise National Park gathers everything that is more magical to see in the middle of nature. As you can imagine, the massif is full of exceptional and useless views of being an experienced mountaineer to venture into its mountains.

The National Park offers a wide variety of paths, from family walks to the most technical routes. For a small condensed of these natural treasures, we have concocted the ten most beautiful hikes to do in the Vanoise massif.

1. Bois de Laye

If you're looking for an easy and accessible hike to discover the Vanoise massif, the Laye wood trail with its stream and waterfalls is a real natural paradise.

The route starts in the ski resort of Tignes and continues its climb in the woods of Laye. You will then reach the imposing Chevril lake perched in solitary in the middle of the mountains.

And the wonder is not over, this route will lead you to the lake stream and the majestic Salin waterfall. With magical and soothing landscapes, it is the ideal for a family hike in the middle of nature.

2. The Col de la Vanoise

Nestled at 2,517 metres above sea level, the Vanoise Pass is a must-see during a stay in Savoie. The route starts at the level of the village of Fontanettes and continues in the forest until the arrival at the first refuge of the Barmettes.

You will reach after only an hour walk a postcard landscape: the Lac des Vaches at the foot of the Aiguille de la Vanoise with the glacier of the Grande Casse in the background. Difficult to find words to describe such a grandiose, but if a landscape is representative of the Vanoise it is this one.

At this point you are located at 2,318 meters above sea level and depending on the period, there is plenty to bet on the presence of snow in the valley. Integrate into this landscape of marmots and ubiquitous and wonder will be assured. But you are not at the end of your surprises!

Along a small altitude lake with the magnificent turquoise blue (Long Lake), you will finally reach the famous Col de la Vanoise. After the effort, take the time to enjoy this magical and unreal place between snowy rocky mountains and altitude chalets. Here nature is not only striking, it is irresistible.

This hike represents a wonderful introduction to the Vanoise Park. However, the preserved nature deserves and the presence of a certain denial can make the effort more or less painful according to your physical condition. To reduce the difficulty, it is possible to spend a night in shelter. It is an opportunity to experience a unique experience and enjoy a sunrise in the middle of nature.

3. Lake Genepy

Are you looking for a pleasant family hike in the Vanoise massif? Leaving a day to discover the lake of Génépy is the ideal to observe high mountain views accessible to small and large. Built at 2,906 metres above sea level, this lake was formed at the foot of the Labby glacier.

Nature is still preserved here and this hike is a secret address of Vanoise. To reach the famous lake of Génépy, you will have to go through the Refuge du Fond d’Aussois before you continue your way to the pass of Aussois and reach the Col du Génépy.

The arrival is great and as the lake stands at altitude, snow and ice are an integral part of the landscape almost all year round. It is quiet, sublime and soothing, the perfect place for a lunch break.

4. Rheme-Gorette Glacier

If you are in the Vanoise National Park, why not take advantage of it to get to the foot of a glacier? Between the French and Italian border, you will need half a day to approach the Rheme-Golette glacier. The first part of the trail, very easy, will lead you to the sublime lake of Sassière, only in the middle of the summits of the Vanoise and its glaciers.

You will then enter the second and last portion of the trail leading you to our famous ice mountain. This harder and steeper part will require good equipment, hiking shoes are put. But once you arrive at your destination it is ecstasy: the Rheme-Gorette glacier stands proudly in front of you in an exceptional panorama of high mountain.

Without real difficulty, the hike is superb offering you its most beautiful landscapes of altitude, no doubt, it is worth a visit.

5. The Cascades of the Rosuel

Little known and yet beautiful, the hike leading you to the stunts of the Rosuel is conducive to calm and calm. The simple trail without any difficulty will make you discover the Vanoise in a dreamy and bucolic atmosphere. The clear view of the majority of the plot will allow you to admire the surrounding massifs at the sound of the bells of the cows.

And if the absence of shadow is compensated by the freshness of the stream, it does not prevent sunburn. So think about a hat and a sunscreen to avoid the shaking effect.

On the track side, the route does not show any disappointment, only the last portion can be steeper by approaching the cascade. And as in the most preserved places, the observation of the marmots and the royal eagle can be done throughout the path!

6. Lake Saut and Lake Sassière

In the valley of the Grande Sassière, the route linking both the Saut and Sassière lakes represents one of the emblematic hikes of the Vanoise massif. You can only be marvelled by this clear blue of Lake Sassière surrounded by its spectacular surrounding mountains. And with a little luck, marmots and chamois can also cross your path.

Simple and perfectly accessible, the walk does not present any denial but remains generous in grandiose landscapes. That’s why she’s so successful! Very popular in the corner, we advise you to avoid the hours of affluence during which the trace can quickly take a look of botttling.

7. Le Pas de la Tovière

From the station Tignes there is a variety of routes, however the hike we offer will give you access to the most beautiful views.

The route leads you in a first time to an impressive panorama of the footstep of the Tovière and the hamlet of Tignes-Le-Lac. It continues on the ridges before arriving at the Pointe de Fresse with a breathtaking view of the nearby summits. Between Mont pourri, the Great Sassière, the Great Casse without forgetting the famous Mont-Blanc , the 360° horizon is absolutely worth the detour.

In the middle of the Vanoise Park, the landscapes encountered on the trail are breathtaking, both from the point of view and from the path on the ridges. For a short and easy hike, finding such great views is quite exceptional.

8. Peclet Refuge and Lac Blanc

In a more sporty register, the Peclet Refuge hike and Lac Blanc represents a magnificent entry to discover the high mountain atmosphere of the Vanoise massif.

Between its glacial lake and the overview of different glaciers, no doubt this circuit will leave you without a voice. The first stop at the Refuge de Péclet Polset offers impressive views of the Glacier de Gébroulaz and the final of the route: the finish on the famous Lac Blanc.

If the hike requires a certain physical effort, water points are present on the entire course in the shelters. Likewise, you will have to bet on a good hiking equipment (shoes, sticks, caps) before you venture into this climb.

9. The Nature Reserve of the Tueda Plan

In an exceptional and preserved environment, the plan of Tueda extends from the lake of the same name to the glacier of Gébroulaz. Here we offer a pleasant two-kilometre walk around the Tuéda lake.

Easy, peaceful and pleasant, it is a family walk that is conducive to peace and relaxation. The lake is enclaved in the middle of different summits making the journey magical and unreal, it is the hike to integrate into your discovery of the Vanoise massif.

10. The Lac de la Rosière and the Cascade des Poux

This last hike of the Vanoise Mountains is a nice, family-friendly route to discover the Lac de la Rosière and the Cascade des Poux. Without important denial, it is a true haven of peace that is conducive to refreshment that awaits you.

Your step will be rhymed by the sound of the river flowing in summer and winter at the edge of the trail. It will take an hour to go back to realize this pleasant loop and the points of interest are not to miss with a Lac de la Rosière with turquoise hues and a truly impressive Poux cascade.