• Alpine Discovery: Vanoise National Park

• From July to mid September

• Please contact us for a quote. Price depends on number in your group

• grade explained

• 8 days: 6 days centre-based, guided walking holiday Altitude maximum 2800m, average 1500m - 2600m. Average: length 5-7 hrs, altitude gain 800m.

• 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 without ever becoming too challenging.

• You’ll be staying in two small, high quality guest houses in Pralognan and/or Champagny in the western Vanoise. They are traditional alpine style guest houses providing a very comfortable stay with a warm welcome and serving great local specialities.

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

Our walks on this tailor-made guided walking holiday will be one day circuits, exploring different parts of the Vanoise National Park. 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 moderate/challenging. The average height gain is about 800m and you’ll be walking 5-7 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 late August 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 up to 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 tongue of ice lapping at the crystal lake at its base. Our return walk passes beneath gleaming limestone cliffs decorated with amazing waterfalls. 6hrs, +600m

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. 6hrs, +930m

Day 4: Lac Blanc

Our walk 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. On the left-hand side is the beautiful outline of the mountain Point de l'Echelle. Just beyond lies the Lac Blanc, where we'll have lunch, a hauntingly beautiful lake with Cyan blue waters. Anyone feeling more energetic can climb the extra 380m to the Col du Souffre, a desert landscape of gypsum, to get a closer look at the Glacier du Gebroulez. 6hrs, +750m

Day 5: Mont Jovet

Despite its modest height, Mont Jovet allows you to have a remarkable panoramic view across a sea of alpine peaks including Mont Blanc. A pleasant walk through alpine meadows and pasture to the summit at 2558m. 5hrs, +730m

Day 6: Chalets des Nants & 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 climbs to the refuge Valette where there are exceptional views across craggy peaks to the Grande Casse. 6hrs, +870m

Day 7: Tour of the Aguille Noire

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 past the Lac du Grattaleu in a remote mountain cirque, to the Col du Palet (2652m). 7hrs +1150m

Day 8:  Departure

Drive from the Vanoise back to Lyon and transfer home