• Vanoise National Park

• 10 - 17 July

• £655

+ grade explained

• 8 days: 6 days multi-centre-based, guided walking holiday Altitude maximum 2820m, average 1500m - 2600m. Average: length 6-7 hrs, altitude gain 850m.

• Exciting walking between amazing alpine peaks with pristine glaciers rising majestically above wild, remote valleys
• The Vanoise National Park has a rich fauna and flora including the largest population of Alpine Ibex (bouquetin) in France 
• A relatively quiet and unspoilt region of the French Alps
• Stunning limestone peaks, sculpted by ice creating a landscape of amazing natural beauty.
• A real alpine walking experience with a 2 day tour taking in two high cols and a night in an authentic mountain refuge.

• You’ll be staying in one or two small guest houses in Pralognan and/or Champagny in the western Vanoise. They are traditional alpine style guest houses providing a warm welcome and serving great local specialities. Our 2 day walk will involve a night at a mountain refuge, where the standard is more basic with dormitories of more than two persons

1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon to the Vanoise, transport to and from the start of each walk, 7 nights' accommodation. Full Board, including drinks with evening meals most nights. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure ). 6 guided walks.

1. Travel to Lyon, France(consult our travel shop), lunches on the day of arrival and departure,  transfers other than those from Lyon, cable car on day 2, drinks to accompany meals in some guest houses, travel insurance

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Walking profile

Most of our walks on this guided walking holiday will be one day circuits, exploring different parts of the Vanoise National Park. You’ll also do a two day trek staying overnight in a mountain refuge, to flavour the unique experience of hut life and to allow us get further away from the main paths. On these days you'll have to carry toiletries and spare clothes. The holiday is ideal for those with some mountain walking experience, and would suit both those looking for a first alpine holiday, as well as those more experienced.

The overall walking holiday grade is at the upper end of moderate/challenging. The average height gain is about 850m and you’ll be walking 6-7 hours a day. The days are designed to alternate between easier and more testing walks. A couple of the walks are more challenging in terms of length and height gain. The paths are generally good although they are mountainous in nature and often exposed. You should have a good level of fitness. In mid July you are unlikely to encounter much snow

Day 1: Arrival,

Welcome, pick-up from Lyon and drive to Vanoise

Day 2: Tour of the Aiguille de la Vanoise

This is an ideal warm-up to the week and a great introduction to the Vanoise region. You’ll catch the cable car upto the Mont Bocher (2023m) before trekking around the base of the stunning rock spire aiguille de la Vanoise sculpted and polished by ice. At the Col de la Vanoise (2517m), you’ll come face to face with the Grande Casse, a true giant of the French Alps, with its gleaming toungue of ice lapping at the crystal lake at its base. Our return walk passes beneath gleaming limestone cliffs decorated with amazing waterfalls.

Day 3: Petit Mont Blanc (2677m)

This walk leaves Pralognan on the opposite side of the valley to day 2 and rises through rich alpine meadows before climbing onto the Petit Mont Blanc where the views of the surrounding alpine peaks of the Vanoise are outstanding. The peak is a real geological lesson with curious sink-holes giving the impression of a lunar landscape, whilst our return path flirts with deep ravines sculpted in the gypsum rocks.

Days 4 & 5: Two-day tour between ice and rock

Our trek starts from the pretty hamlet Les Prioux and follows a large and impressive valley through alpine meadows as the path snakes gently up to the Peclet Polset mountain refuge. Here you can spend time at the Lac Blanc, a hauntingly beautiful lake with Cyan blue waters, and watch as the sun sets on the majestic Point de l'Echelle opposite. The next day we'll start early to have the best chance of seeing some alpine ibex. We climb steadily to the Col du Souffre, a desert landscape of gypsum, before descending to get up close to the Glacier du Gebroulez. This part of our trek passes through the Plan de Tueda Nature Reserve, home to grouse and the Linnée Boreal, a delicate small flower found in the screes and a relict of the ice age which is only found in 5 locations in France. The day finishes by crossing the impressive Col rouge between spikey alpine mountains.

Day 6: Refuge de la Valette (2629m)

Our objective for the day will depend on how the group is faring. There are a number of possible walking routes in this part of the French Alps. The refuge de la Valette lies opposite the Petit Mont Blanc and allows us to walk underneath the ice plateau of the Vanoise Glacier. It follows a series of basins, cols and valleys with extraordinary views across craggy peaks to the Grande Casse.

Day 7: Tour of the Point de la Vallaisonnay

A great circuit to finish the week, trekking through the Northern part of the Vanoise National Park. From the village of Champagny le Haut (1670m) we continue along the valley in the shadow of the austere north face of the Grande Casse before climbing to the Col de la Grassaz (2637m) with its beautiful flowered meadows forming a bright and rich contrast to the fabulous views of wild and rugged valleys beyond. We’ll descend for a short distance under the watchful eye of  the impressive Mont Pourri before climbing again to the Col du Plan Sery (2609m). This is a lovely spot surrounded by beautiful alpine peaks rising on all sides. The descent passes through a varied landscape of waterfalls, rock sculptures and alpine meadows.

Day 8:  Departure

Drive from the Vanoise back to Lyon and transfer home